Letters: NStar Spraying Not Necessary

NStar intends to spray a mixture of five herbicides along 150 miles of Cape Cod (times 200 feet). I'm extremely worried for my health and the health of my neighbor. Being an organic landscaper I know herbicidal spray is the wrong method of brush removal. Federal law requires the utility company to keep vegetation low so it won't interfere with our power source, but it does not mandate chemical spraying. In the past NStar mowed every seven years.

The risks posed by herbicidal use have been vastly underestimated.

Chemicals do not remain where they are applied. They will drain into our groundwater. Most Cape residents get drinking water from private wells. We live on a sand bar without enough topsoil to aid in natural filtration.

Spraying a dangerous combination of herbicides, with a surfactant base of petroleum, will harm habitats and insects, destroying natural pollinators, the ones we need in order to support our ecosystem, not to mention the potential harm inflected on humans!

I believe the use of herbicides is not a long-term solution. There are already high rates of cancer on Cape Cod, and a large elderly population who
are particularly vulnerable to toxic exposures.

*Currently Commissioner Scott.soares@state.ma.us has asked Cape citizens to write him personally stating a fact why NStar should not spray. This is the last request because spraying starts March 29th. Please help protect our water source for the health of us all and future generations. The proposal allows applications every six weeks, that's alot of toxins introduced onto the Cape's land. It is up to residents now. Send this to your loved ones and write DAR Scott today.

At a time when everyone is "going green," why does NStar insist on chemicals?

Thank you for reaching out to help, for it is up to power in numbers now.
*For more info: greencape.org or littlefieldlandscapes.com