09/25/1978 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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reviewed procedures used by his company: Only registered herbicides are used, applicators are trained and licensed to use materials e properly, care is exercised in applying herbicides with consideration of weather conditions and proper equipment. His company tries to follow the laws, regulations, and common sense in using herbicides. Further, Weyerhauser tries to base its position on scientific facts. He noted there were very detailed documentation and reviews regarding the use of herbicides. In particular, he referred to a publication called "Phenoxin Herbicides," published August, 1978, and prepared by 16 doctors across the United States. He quoted the summary which said the herbicide is toxic to green plants, but not to animals or microorganisms. It does not show up in food chains. The amount of TCDD is not enough to endanger the health of human beings. Many such documents on 2,4,5-T endorse its use, if it is used properly. He noted its use was under vast scientific scrutiny. Weyerhauser has used it for 27 years and has received no complaints in this area. He referred to the EPA RPAR review of the use of the herbicides, and said Weyerhauser supports that review for safety. He felt the State Board of Forestry was highly responsible and the proper group for hearing this type of issue. Ed Baker, 5290 Donald Street, forester from Weyerhauser, said his company had 282,000 acres in which they practice intensive forest management. The herbicide has been used for 27 years for survival of the trees, and increased yield of forest products. The City Council recently toured the tree farm to view areas which had been sprayed with 2,4,5-T and those which had been hand-slashed with e powe r saws. He noted there was some brush the herbicide does not affect. It would cost Weyerhauser $16.36 per acre for herbicide spraying, as opposed to $111.00 per acre for hand treatment. The manual clearing was not as effective and requires more control. He said Weyerhauser had looked at alternative methods, but it could not economically support hand clearing. The use of herbicides by his com- pany is very sel ective. Licensed appliers are used, with notification to adjacent land owners. He said the effect of the OEC rules would eliminate the use of herbicides on 40 percent of Weyerhauser's grounds, and would be a significant detriment to his company and practices to support the OEC1s petition. Regarding the reference to the Coos Bay incident, he said evidence has since surfaced in which it was admitted the herbicide was sprayed against the rules of practice, which would allow-for the contamination. Public hearing was closed, there being no further testimony presented. Mr. Lieuallen requested Dr. Streisinger comment on the assertion that there are scientific reports that support the use of the herbi- cide. Dr. Streisinger said he had seen no scientific reports that say there are no health hazards. In fact, he said there were a large number of studies regarding animals that were unanimous in showing TCDD is hazardous to humans. He referred to the Federal Register, Volume 43, in which 2,4,5-T has been found to exceed certain risk e 9/25/78--7 to "'0 -.--