Works In Progress - June 2003 - Salmon, Pesticides and the WSDOT

Studies in the last few years by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) found pesticides contaminating every single watershed tested in Washington. Especially concerning are 2,4-D and Dichlobenil, two herbicides used by the Washington State Department of Transportation that are found in 100% of USGS tested streams and have known impacts to our endangered salmon. Herbicides used by the WSDOT are known to either kill salmon directly or cause decreased survival rates by impacting their ability to avoid predators, fend off disease, or spawn. The chemical companies themselves advised us that berries sprayed with 2,4-D and Dicamba are unsafe to eat.

The herbicides used by the WSDOT such as 2,4-D, Diruon, Dicamba and Triclopyr have been linked to a litany of human health problems, including cancer, endocrine (hormone) disruption, reproduction dysfunction, respiratory ailments and more. Children are more vulnerable to herbicides because their biological systems are still developing. Children drink, eat and breath far more pound per pound than adults. Recent studies suggest that these chemicals can adversely impact the immune, endocrine, and neurological systems of a child, even as early as fetal development, which may in turn contribute to the increase of learning and developmental disabilities, asthma and cancer in children which we are now seeing in Washington State and nationally.

Five Washington counties (Thurston, Island, Snohomish, Jefferson and Clallam) have passed no spray policies for county roads. King County does not spray county roads on Bainbridge Island, Vashon Island, Maury Island, or in the Snoqualmie Valley. The DOT, however, continues to spray in all of these areas regardless.

The DOT is currently studying the risks and benefits of maintaining the roadsides without pesticides. Now is the time to let the DOT know that the citizens want the DOT to honor local no spray policies and stop spraying our roadsides. Please contact Doug MacDonald, Secretary of Transportation, MacDonD@wsdot.wa.gov, P O Box 47300, Olympia, WA 98504 or phone 360-705-7054.

Joslyn Trivett & Nancy Schaaf