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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Medford woman killed in Highway 140 motorcycle crash Seven tasks that help prevent hospital readmissions Ashland's ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum to double classroom space New Southern Oregon University board votes to bump tuition nearly 5 percent in the fall Police Reports Education New Southern Oregon University board votes to bump tuition nearly 5 percent in the fall Why OLLI matters: A personal perspective Southern Oregon University names director of marketing Dianne Williamson: College admissions mania ill-advised Rotary Club of Ashland names Riley O'Sullivan as Student of the Month Environment Mt. Ashland Ski Area to host party March 28 Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area Wild Side: Selfish and other reasons for saving endangered species Mt. Ashland Ski Area: Low snow closes 'bunny hill' chairlift for beginning skiers With pre-season conditions worst in 25 years, catastrophic wildfires expected in region this summer Business Ride & Drive: 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Snow hopes dashed, Mt. Ashland Ski Area hosts season-ending party Saturday Iconic Ashland bookstore to celebrate 35th anniversary on April 19 Test Drive: 2015 Honda Accord Cars We Remember: The original Candymatic Ramchargers Politics and elections Jackson County Commissioners plan no tax on marijuana for first year Grassroots group campaigns for Plaza paver do-over Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Short-term rental restrictions kept in some areas, loosened in others Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US State News Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state Nation - World Obituaries Death Notices Alicia Applegate Hardy Death Notices Rosalind Dee Death Notices Shareable Sports Latest Stories Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Ashland Rowing Club hires highly touted coach and national-award winning team director to lead expansion Antionette Kerr: Tourney fever gets superstitious Blazers fight back, edge Jazz Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory High school Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory Ashland softball team splits pair in second day of Bend tournament Grizzlies rally past GP, to 2-0 start Ashland boys capture another Sato Cup snowboard title at Mt. Bachelor Southern Oregon University Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory Ashland softball team splits pair in second day of Bend tournament Ducks enjoy the challenge Oregon bows out Voices Latest Stories Letters to the Editor, March 30 Chris Honoré: Some political and social observations Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Herb Rothschild Jr: Failing at charity Philip Maddocks: GOP plan offers hope for poor once they become rich Editorial Our View: Build it; they will play Our View: How it should work Our View: Ashland High principal is the head of her class Our View: Tuition trauma Our View: SOU's economic clout Letters Letters to the Editor, March 30 Letters to the Editor, March 27 Letters to the Editor, March 25 Letters to the Editor, March 23 Letters to the Editor, March 20 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Guest Opinion: Hannah Thomas-Garner's father thanks the Ashland community Guest Opinion: Ashland is asking for trouble with new room rental rules Guest Opinion: More reasons to oppose Jordan Cove Guest Opinion: It's Groundwater Awareness Week; test your well Columns Chris Honoré: Some political and social observations Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Herb Rothschild Jr: Failing at charity Philip Maddocks: GOP plan offers hope for poor once they become rich Matthew T. Mangino: A clearer picture of police shootings begins to emerge Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Top 5 things to do this week Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park The Oregon Shakespeare Festival presents Eugene O'Neill's autobiographical 'Long Day's Journey into Night' Community blog: Words, wine and Craig Wright 4 Things To Do This Week Theater Review: From past into present in OSF's 'Long Day's Journey' Ticket availability Ticket Availability Ashland Contemporary Theatre seeks new artistic director Ticket Availability Music Futureshock: Kendrick Lamar release points to road ahead Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park Album reviews: Recent and recommended for March The Farr Side: New format for ‘American Idol’ as show continues a strong run Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center Visual Art Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Movie review: In ‘Danny Collins,’ Pacino helps us imagine a Lennon story Noah Baumbach talks Ben Stiller, adult comedies and more In 'Timbuktu,' lust for power disturbs peace Movie review: ‘The Gunman’ misses the target Movie listings: March 20-26 Food and Drink Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Seven tasks that help prevent hospital readmissions Review: From past into present in OSF's 'Long Day's Journey' Community Blog: What is Peace? Ride & Drive: 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque App Finder: Best barbecue apps Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Rogues: Tales from the Valley Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business Business Services NEWS NOW Medford woman killed in Highway 140 motorcycle crash ... Seven tasks that help prevent hospital readmissions ... Chris Honoré: Some political and social observations ... Medford woman killed in Highway 140 motorcycle crash ... Seven tasks that help prevent hospital readmissions ... Chris Honoré: Some political and social observations ... 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. 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