Friday, February 24, 2012

Can We Claim Victory Re. Herbicidal Spraying?

Seagull 1: DID YOU HEAR? NSTAR IS NOT SPRAYING WELLFLEET AGAIN THIS YEAR.
Seagull 2: NO JOKE? BET THAT'S JUST ANOTHER RUMOR.
Seagull 1: REALLY. IT WAS IN THE NEWSPAPER TODAY.
Seagull 2: WHICH NEWSPAPER?
Seagull 1: CAPE COD TIMES, FIRST PAGE. SO WE CAN REJOICE.
Seagull 2: AS LONG AS THEY DON'T SPRAY THIS HARBOR, I'M OKAY WITH IT.
Seagull 1: HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT? THOSE CHEMICALS ARE TOXIC FOR OUR FEATHERS, TOO.
Seagull 2: HOW SO?
Seagull 1: HAVEN'T YOU HEARD ABOUT DRIFT?
Seagull 2: SURE I HAVE. BUT THE POWERLINES ARE A MILE AWAY.
Seagull 1: WHAT ABOUT STREAMS, FLOWING INTO THE BAY? ALL WATER FROM THE GROUND WILL BE CONTAMINATED.
Seagull 2: WHATEVER. AS LONG AS I HAVE MY OYSTERS AND CLAMS ...

The Cape Cod Times reported today that Wellfleet is not one of the 49 towns listed on the NStar's YOR (yearly operational plan), which means more reprieve from herbicidal spraying. Hurray! According to the article, Sylvia Broude of Toxics Action Network said she hopes the merger with Northeast Utilities is seen as "an opportunity for the combined company to act as a leader in reducing the use of herbicides under power lines. We hope this 2012 plan brings us one step closer to a long-term no-spray commitment for Cape Cod that protects the sole-source aquifer from contamination." (Please help Toxic Action Network with a donation.)

Another year without herbicides is good. A decision to abandon the herbicidal plan would be even better.

Meanwhile, in Letters to the Editor, I had another letter published:

Last week Governor Patrick stated that NStar has become "a bigger participant in the green energy generation revolution underway right now." How green can our utility company be as long as it plans to abuse the environment with the use of five herbicides, plus surfactant, to control vegetation under the power lines of Cape Cod? What about the implications of polluting a sole-source aquifer with these endocrine-disruptive chemicals??? Cape Cod activists had hoped Governor Patrick would include a provision in the deal that would prevent NStar’s horrific plan. Our homes sit above a sole-source aquifer. We drink well water. Emerging science indicates endocrine disruptive chemicals can affect humans at lower doses than earlier thought. Senator Kerry is currently sponsoring a Senate bill to protect citizens from endocrine disruptive chemicals. What’s up with the Governor? His office provides protection from higher electricity bills, but chooses not to protect us from toxic-chemical pollution?

Comments (6)

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Living Greener's avatar

Living Greener · 677 weeks ago

For the past two years, I have heard the Governor give a campaign talk about "Generational Responsibility." I cannot for the life of me figure out why he does not understand how irresponsible it is to future generations to allow Nstar to spray on the Cape.
1 reply · active 677 weeks ago
The habit around listening to politicians is that we look to their words, as if they are factual, or intentional. We need to seek the truth in their footprint, really, rather than waste time with the jargon. Campaign talks are meant to seduce a vote from the greatest number of voters. Period.
Emailed by Sandra Larsen: Glad to have another opportunity to thank Sylvia and acknowledge her profound and tireless efforts to assist a small core group of amazing volunteers at GreenCAPE who have spent countless hours mounting evidence against and pressure on NStar to make a commitment to a NO-SPRAY policy above our sole source aquifer here on the Cape. Without Toxics Action Center we would not have been able to stay organized and focused on our goal. Thousands of Cape residents have stepped up in various ways to assist GreenCAPE in this effort and we would like to thank you, Sandy, for keeping folks apprised of our efforts and that of others through this blog. I am so glad to see your request for donations to TAC and I would add that your readers could also contact Sue Phelan from GreenCAPE (info@greencape.org) if they are willing to help with the NStar issue or other related Cape pesticide/land care issues. What a privilege to work alongside dedicated and professional volunteers like Sylvia and Sue who have taught me so much about how to effectively advocate for our precious environment. We will certainly not take our eyes off NStar until they agree to a real policy rather than the year-to-year game they are playing and we need to stay on our disappointing Governor but I agree with you, Sandy and your gull friends; this day is one to celebrate!
Laura Kelley's avatar

Laura Kelley · 676 weeks ago

Congrats to all involved! Thanks for not letting up and continuing to protect our drinking water! Rep. Cleon Turner's House Bill #3564 is the next thing to support to allow each town to decide what alternative method they choose and have NStar honor the choice. Please take a moment to write in support of House Bill #3564. Thank you for continuing to work to stop NStar from spraying herbicides along Cape Cod power lines altogether!
As I am off-Cape, I have heard various reports/rumors about N's plans this year? Is this another Cape-wide moratorium for 2012 or just select Cape communities? I pray it is Capewide. Someone on CC relayed it is just for this month (or two). Also, is it true that N has been conducting undisclosed herbicidal testing sites all over Cape Cod? Thanks if someone can clarify.

I second Laura's motion to stay on top of House Bill #3564. Also special thanks to all of The Warriors for defending Mother Nature on Cape Cod against the tragic assault of "The Cides".
1 reply · active 676 weeks ago
I do not know anything else, Chris. If you hear more, please do share it here.

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