Tell the Coastal Conservancy you support Spartina eradication, but not the use of herbicide in Humboldt Bay and the Eel and Mad River estuaries. Ask them to adopt Alternative 1, Mechanical Methods Only, for the Spartina Eradication Programmatic EIR!
The California Coastal Conservancy's draft plan to eradicate the invasive cordgrass (Spartina densiflora) would allow spraying the aquatic herbicide "imazapyr" on Humboldt Bay salt marshes, despite the fact that non-chemical methods like mowing and weedwhacking are highly effective.
The cities of Arcata and Eureka only allow herbicides and pesticides as a last resort. The proposed plan should respect and comply with the cities pesticide policies, it should also apply those policies throughout the Bay. Here's why:
The incoming tides could spread the herbicide far and wide, potentially exposing rare native plants, eelgrass, fish, and shellfish.The current plan does not propose any protections for the risk of exposure to people eating fish or shellfish harvested near spray sites, merely stating that such exposure poses minimal risks. These risks should not be taken when there are safe, effective alternatives.
Tell the Coastal Conservancy to adopt Alternative 1, Mechanical Methods Only, for the Spartina Eradication Programmatic EIR!
Comments are due Tuesday, January 15th.
Send comments by email or U.S. mail to:
Joel Gerwein, Project Manager
California Coastal Conservancy
1330 Broadway, 13th floor
Oakland, CA 94612
For more information, click HERE.
To download the Draft PEIR, click HERE.
