Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW More lightning, high winds possible ... Scientist: We need to learn to live with wildfires ... Weather or Not: June in Redding — er, I mean Ashland ... More lightning, high winds possible ... Scientist: We need to learn to live with wildfires ... Weather or Not: June in Redding — er, I mean Ashland ... GUEST OPINION Guest Opinion: Legal poisons in our waters Comment By John L. Gardiner DailyTidings.com By John L. Gardiner Posted Feb. 13, 2015 at 12:01 AM By John L. Gardiner Posted Feb. 13, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News For decades, we’ve feared potential terrorist contamination of our water supplies. But spraying poisons on our roads, farms and forests for mere weed control? — Legal, throughout the state. The following example is but a flea-bite of what has been going on for the past several decades, in which we’ve also seen a dramatic rise in various diseases. What was once only correlation is now becoming clearer as causation, thanks to independent research — often, international. Recently, a local timber company notified the state of chemical ground application (banned on federal lands). Over 25 logging sites will receive "treatment,” from Selma to the border, of "applications of atrazine, clopyralid, glyphosate, hexazinone, Imazapyr, sulfometuron, metsulfuron methyl, triclopyr, phenoxy, and other herbicides, surfactants, carriers and drift control agents ... applied to within 10 feet of the streams." This is the annual nightmare in our rural community, together with aerial spraying of farms and forests and roadside applications. Glyphosate was thought to be neutralized on soil contact. Now, we know this to be far from the case. These poisons contaminate drinking water for wildlife and humans alike. In Cave Junction, our city water is drawn from Illinois River bankside wells and an aquifer; no tests for pesticides are carried out. In Selma, all domestic water is from wells or springs likely contaminated through years of these practices. Actually, many of these poisons survive a long time in air, soil and water. They are absorbed by, and accumulate (like arsenic) in our bodies, most alarmingly in breast milk — to be passed to our children. Their epigenetic effects include infertility, birth deformities and other severe health issues. Many believe pesticides are causing cancers in the Illinois Valley. Community leaders are dying way before their time. These "visible" people (and animals) are the tip of the iceberg. And state law does not permit those injured by chemical trespass from farm or forest activity to sue those responsible. The conclusions of official investigations into the aerial spraying of people and pets at Lane County’s Triangle Lake and Gold Beach are a white-wash for the logging industry. The Oregon Forest Practices Act, OAR 629-620-400, permits pesticide use. However, the Environmental Protection Agency has finally disapproved Oregon’s coastal nonpoint pollution program, citing poor logging practices: www.opb.org/news/article/feds-rule-oregon-not-protecting-coastal-waters-from-logging- /. Pesticides are poisoning our waters — it’s official. Rachel Carson predicted this 60 years ago in "Silent Spring." Carol van Strum unconcealed the Oregon nightmare in the '80s with "A Bitter Fog: Herbicides and Human Rights." Now a new book, "Poison Spring: The Secret History of Pollution and the EPA," by E. Vallianatos, exposes political chicanery in public service. Agencies created to protect we the people have been protecting big business, while punishing whistleblowers. Continued poisoning of our people and landscapes for weed control is no longer excusable. While cheap for farmers, foresters and municipalities, it’s devastatingly expensive for our communities. We demand an immediate moratorium on pesticide use, until legislators change the "Right to Farm and Forest Act." Those suffering "chemical trespass" must be able to sue those responsible. What to do? Petition our governor:  www.credomobilize.com/petitions/our-right-to-life-liberty-and-pursuit-of-happiness . Support efforts to free us from pesticides and GMOs. Join Our Family Farms and the Organic Consumers Association. How would we respond if terrorists were poisoning our environment and public water supplies? John L. Gardiner, Ph.D., is a member of the Cave Junction City Council and a director of the Rogue Basin Partnership. He is a professional engineer specializing in river restoration and management, and has worked on several projects on the West Coast. By John L. Gardiner DailyTidings.com By John L. Gardiner Posted Feb. 13, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501