09/25/1978 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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the water supply, and felt the Council had a responsibility to protect the local water supply. e Greg Prull, PO Box 66, Eugene, said he had been a tree planter and had previously worked with the Forest Service. He represented Groundwork, Inc. He read a statement into the record (copy on file) which indicates that overwhelming evidence suggests that herbicide use is a technique that is being widely used in an attempt to adjust problems for which the use of herbicides is not intended. In fact, his group found evidence that spraying herbicides may actually impair fi r tree growth. He cited potential problems from the use of herbi- cides, and said Groundwork felt large-scale studies on the aspects of herbicides deserved a high priority. They suggested alternative release tools are available and should be investigated more thoroughly. Also indicated in the statement was the inadequate documentation of the benefits from herbicide use and recommendations that the Eugene City Council take a firm stand on the use of herbicides. Marla Gillaham; 1765 West 17th, represented a group called Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Herbicides. She noted 2,4,5-T is available retail stores in Eugene, although banned by the EPA. She felt the City has the right and responsibility to enforce the law in Eugene. Regarding health hazards to individuals, she said there is substantial documentation that is being corroborated. Through increased public pressure for industry to use manual releasing of shrubs, she felt the costs of such an alternative would come down. She al so noted the economic boost to an area in providing these jobs for some unem- pl oyed. She felt manual brushing was extremely selective, and noted e it was possible to brush right to the streambed with less damage, making it more efficient and increasing forest productivity. She reiterated she felt Council had the right and responsibility to provide economic benefits to the people of the area and to protect the watersheds of Eugene. Janet Gillaspie, 396 Oakmont, representing the Oregon Environmental Council, expressed appreciation of the Council supporting OEC's petition. She noted a State Board of Forestry hearing in Salem on Wednesday this week. She reviewed some documentation in an EPA report, in which 2,4,5-T is carcinogenic in laboratory animals, does cause birth defects and serious health hazards. She felt the Council should take action to protect the health and welfare of its constitu- ency. Two actions by Council were requested: 1) To join with the OEC to petition the U.S. Forest Service to enact the same public notice as before; and 2) To make the Council.s feelings known to the U.S. Forest Service that they should update their reports on the use of herbicides. Those speaking in favor of the continued use of herbicide sprays were as follows: Jack Walstead, Ph.D., 530 Empress, Forest Ecologist with Weyerhauser, said his primary responsibility was to make sure the forest prac- tices do not jeopardize the health of the people or the forest. He e 9/25/78--6 lo~'1