Dear John,

Helicopters are spraying toxic chemicals over Maine's forests and unfortunately, some of our lawmakers don't see a problem with this. We do.

Forestry herbicides threaten public health, ecological systems, and local farms. Glyphosate, the main ingredient in "Round Up", is the toxic herbicide most commonly used to kill young hardwood trees by paper companies like Irving. This is bad stuff that is sprayed from the sky over large tracts of land. Vermont banned aerial herbicide spraying in 1997 and ten countries have banned the practice altogether. This practice is antiquated, harmful, and unnecessary — Maine can do better.

ACT NOW: Send a message to your lawmakers urging them to support legislation to ban aerial herbicide spraying in Maine.

Logger and Senate President Troy Jackson of Aroostook County sponsored LD 125, a bill that would ban aerial spraying of synthetic herbicides in Maine. The Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee held a public hearing on the bill a few months ago but voted on the bill last week.

Unfortunately, a majority of the committee sided with industrial forestry corporations; supporting an amendment to gut LD 125 and maintain status quo — nominally increasing established buffer zones around bodies of water. Four members, a minority of the committee, supported the original, strong language in the bill: Sen. Maxmin of Lincoln County; Rep. O’Neil of Saco; Rep. Osher of Orono; and Rep. Pluecker of Warren. We need your help to get the legislature to follow their lead and support the minority report!

Send a message to your lawmakers urging them to support the minority report, the strongest version of the legislation to ban aerial herbicide spraying in Maine.

For the future of Maine’s forests, I thank you in advance for taking action.

Beth

PS — Banning aerial herbicide spraying is a priority of Maine’s Environmental Priorities Coalition. Check out the factsheet on this issue to learn more.

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