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Pesticides and Rural Rights
Oregon’s lush forests are among the most productive on earth. However, routine and repeated aerial applications of herbicides on private timberlands are endangering the health of rural Oregonians - and destroying critical fish and animal habitat. Chemical sprays drift and run-off beyond the boundaries of their intended target. Chemicals that are sprayed on forests and farmlands have been found miles away in homes, schools and public roads. They contaminate our forest soils and waters.Approximately 800,000 acres of Oregon’s forests were sprayed with chemical herbicides in 2005. In 2006, over 80,000 acres were sprayed in Lane County alone.
As if that's not enough, chemical herbicides are applied to the shoulders of State and County highways each spring to control weeds. This is a dangerous, and often, unecessary practice. Herbicides are powerful poisins and many have been shown to cause cancer.
What Oregon Toxics Alliance is doing
Oregon Toxics Alliance's rural efforts are currently focused on promoting alternatives to roadside spraying, creating a spraying notification network and empowering rural residents through the Oregon's Pesticide Action Work Group.
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