Say NO to Alaska Railroad Herbicide Spraying!

Here was the email I received and felt strongly enough about to reprint it. ACAT is a great organization with one of their biggest goals being the cleanup of US Military waste and pollution left behind in so many villages and communities throughout Alaska. Please help me to help them.

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ACTION ALERT -- August 2009

Say No to Alaska Railroad Herbicide Spraying!
Protect Water Quality, Salmon, and Community Health!

On July 15, 2009, the Alaska Railroad Corporation applied to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation for a permit to spray a toxic mixture of herbicides along 90 miles of the railway system from the rail yard in Seward to Indian. The herbicide mixture includes the herbicide glyphosate and Agridex, a petroleum-based surfactant. The proposed herbicide spraying threatens salmon streams, drinking water sources, berry-picking areas, and neighborhoods in close proximity to the Railroad.

Please take action! Your voice can make a difference!

• Testify at public hearings scheduled in Whittier, Seward or Anchorage!
• Please see the notice of public hearings on the proposed permit at the Department of Environmental Conservation website.

PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULE

WHITTIER: Monday, August 10—City Council Chambers, P-12 Building (intersection of Whittier Street and Glacier Avenue) from 4:00-6:30 PM

SEWARD: Tuesday, August 11—Seward Marine Center/RM Rae Education Building at 125 3^rd Avenue from 4:00-6:30 PM

ANCHORAGE: Wednesday, August 12—Marriott Downtown Hotel at 7^th and I Street from 4:00-6:30 PM

Talking points:

• Chemical control of weeds is unnecessary and harmful.
• Citizens of Alaska must insist on the use of safe, effective, non-toxic alternatives that will provide healthy jobs.
• The herbicide glyphosate is associated with harm to human health including endocrine, reproductive, and developmental effects. The petroleum-based surfactant Agridex contains a proprietary combination of chemicals including at least two that are considered as likely to cause cancer.
• Alaskans have spoken—people have successfully opposed the spraying of herbicides since the 1980s! In 2006, when the Railroad last applied for a permit to apply herbicides, strong public opposition prevented DEC from issuing the permit. Letters and resolutions of opposition were written by tribes, municipalities, and Borough governments including: Native Village of Eklutna, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Kenai Peninsula Borough, Denali Borough, City of Seward, and Municipality of Anchorage.

Submit written comments: If you can’t participate in the public hearings, submit written comments no later than September 15 to Stephanie Stewart, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. Email: Stephanie.Stewart@alaska.gov; Phone: (907) 269-7644; Fax: (907) 269-7654

Please contact Alaska Community Action on Toxics for more information at (907) 222-7714; email pkmiller@akaction.net; or visit our website.

Please DONATE. Join us as a member of Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT) at $35/year, volunteer, or consider an additional financial contribution to support our work. Thank you.

Mission: to assure justice by advocating for environmental and community health. We believe that everyone has the right to clean air, clean water, and toxic-free foods.

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