New low-level herbicide proposed for weed killing

July 31, 2007

Tonto National Forest is proposing to use what they call relatively low-level herbicide sprays to remove weeds.

The Forest Service said it plans to use chemicals such as chlorsulfuron, and a list of others they said are relatively nontoxic, to try and get rid of some of the weeds which can be harmful to native and other plant species and are growing along highways and roads in Gila County and in Tonto National Forest.

A report from the Vermont Public Interest Research Group said the chemical can be harmful to animals, humans and the environment.The report said that chlorsulfuron is in a class of chemicals labeled sulfonyl ureas, or SU's.

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Railway herbicides: A debate over safety

May 11, 2007

MONTPELIER – Spraying railroad corridors with herbicides hasn't caused much controversy in Vermont, but an almost identical practice was forbidden in Alaska earlier this year over fears the weed-killing chemicals might harm the state's ecosystem.

Vermont Railway Inc., has asked the Agency of Agriculture for a permit to spray herbicides around tracks that run through more than 60 Vermont towns.

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