Grassroots Opposition to Forest Poisoning Grows as Scale of Plan Becomes Clear
Herbicide-poisoned land near Lake Almanor, where forest recovery after the Dixie Fire has been blocked by drenching the land with chemicals
We’re up in arms about new information related to the scale of USFS, State Parks and private spraying of herbicides on local forest lands, in the Feather River Watershed and beyond. The scale of what they are planning would mean unimaginable landscape-scale poisoning of the forest and human communities.
We’ve got to stop it.
This is a map provided by the USFS indicating where they plan to apply herbicides (in orange). That little spec of white left of center is a back up water source, owned by the City of Portola. This is one of many water sources, including streams, wells and springs near planned applications.
Note herbicide applications planned immediately surrounding (and uphill from) the spring, immediately to the southwest. We’ve reported this to the City, and made follow up inquiries but so far have not heard back. Write to the council and encourage them to demand the USFS stop herbicide applications in the local watershed.
Related to that- there is a lot going on related to this issue– here’s how to engage:
1) New coalition— No Poison California— is tackling Toxic Herbicide Spraying in CA Forests Visit the website to understand how this is happening, what can be done and sign on in opposition. Spread the word and join the movement that Nate Halverson’s Mother Jones article sparked..
2) A recent viral article by Michelle Perro MD asks the question: What Happens to Forest-Applied Glyphosate and Other Herbicides When They Burn? The answer: nothing good and probably worse than we know. Another reason herbicide applications need to stop.
3) Check out the Quincy “Goat Alternative to Herbicides”Fundraiser Live Music, Fresh Ale, Goats
Aug. 8th 4:30-10pm at the Rich Bar Taproom— supports goat vegetation control pilot project: “In response to U.S. Forest Service plans to use herbicides to control herbaceous vegetation on Plumas National Forest and around communities, organizers are calling for a goat alternative for vegetation control. Money raised through this event will be used for a demonstration pilot project to show goats can be used successfully.” (via Plumas Sun)
4) New Online Mapping Tool Sheds Light on Herbicide Applications in Plumas County (and beyond): The scale of this is shocking to see just based on the limited data included: “https://www.spraymapca.org/ has been created to inform the public about how much herbicide is being used and where. The intent is to share the facts about what is happening (and planned for the future) so that individuals have the data necessary to ask informed questions. If anyone has questions on how to use the map or how the information was compiled, please email spraymapca@gmail.com”
“…The goal of the show, said collective founder and artist Amy Napoleon, is to create dialogue through art. “Right now there aren’t many people having real conversations with one another about politics and political issues. Our hope is that these pieces will create meaningful dialogue. We can’t solve any issues unless we are willing to have conversations about them…”
