The city of Lynnwood proposes to resume pesticide spraying on city streets and sidewalks in 2014 and is accepting public comments on their spraying plan until Friday.
In August 2012, I observed city staff overspraying the herbicide glyphosate (also known as Roundup) along with other spray adjuvants in a four-foot swath covering parts of the sidewalk, Interurban bicycle trail, gutter and street to eliminate a ½-inch aesthetic sidewalk weed problem using a spray-rig attached to the rear end of a pickup truck. The city subsequently acknowledged that they were not in compliance and voluntarily halted all pesticide spraying in the public right-of-way, only after these violations were brought to their attention.
Glyphosate, a Monsanto Co. product, has been linked to birth defects possibly leading to abnormal fetal development, low birth weight and miscarriages even at very low dosages to humans.
Please tell Lynnwood:
Do not spray curbs, sidewalks and bicycle trails where people may come into contact with herbicides or these products can wash directly into our lakes and streams.
Let the city know you want to “opt-out” of any pesticide spraying in front of your home.
The city should not use its mechanical spray rig mounted on the rear of a pickup truck because it is prone to overspraying and the operator cannot tell if it over-sprayed until it is too late.
If the city must spray, warning signs must be posted 48-hours in advance of any pesticide spraying and signs maintained until 48-hours after weed spraying to citizens may choose to avoid treated areas. The city does not want to do this as it too much trouble and may create a public outcry against spraying.
The city should only use tier 2 or tier 3 pesticides as listed by Seattle in its Integrated Pest Management Plan.
The full IPMP is available on the city’s website at: http://www.ci.lynnwood.wa.us/City-Services/Environmental—Surface-Water-and-Storm-Water/Enviromental-Documents-and-Reports/DRAFT-IPMP.htm
You may also want to put “No Spray” signs up in your front yard.
William Lider, PE, CESCL
Lynnwood
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