NID-Use of Roundup in Nevada County
We ended Agent Orange. Why not Roundup?
On May 19, I sent the following email to NID Administration after observing two NID employees spraying Roundup along the ditch that passes through my property. I am appalled that NID is still using Roundup, which is contaminating soil and water in Nevada County. Roundup’s glyphosate is a known carcinogen.
From: Penelope Curtis
Date: Sun, May 19, 2024 at 1:38 PM
Subject: Use of Roundup on ditches
To: <admindepartment@nidwater.com>, <division5@nidwater.com>, <division1@nidwater.com>
Recently, I passed two ditch workers spraying along the ditch that passes through my property on Tiger Lily Lane. I asked them what they were spraying and was told Roundup. I am OUTRAGED that NID is still using Roundup to kill plants along the ditches!
I thought that Roundup had been discontinued, but it seems it hasn't. Studies have shown that it is toxic to everything, including plants. The toxic glyphosate NID water provides drinking water for animals, as well as to homes along the ditches that do not have wells. Some people use it for agriculture, which means that it is poisoning their crops! Others drink it after filtering, but you can't filter out glyphosate. NID is poisoning everyone and everything along all of its ditches!!!
From the toxicity of glyphosate, many people develop cancers from being around it, let alone drinking water that contains it. Remember Agent Orange and how many vets developed cancer from being around it in Vietnam? Now landscapers are developing cancer. I have a number of landscaping friends who developed cancer and quit when they found out the cause.
Countries in Europe and around the world have banned the use of Roundup or any other glyphosate-containing pest killer. Why is NID still using it?
BTW, here is a recipe for killing weeds with white vinegar!
DIY 3-Ingredient Weed Killer
Ingredients:
1-gallon white vinegar
2 cups Epsom salt (or table salt)
1/4 cup Dawn dishwashing soap
Instructions:
Pour the vinegar, dish soap, and Epsom salt into a spray bottle. Shake well until combined.
Let the mixture settle for 2 minutes, then spray the weeds. Make sure to soak the entire weed with the formula.
Let it sit for a day, then come back and see the dead weeds!
Note: This recipe is a natural and non-toxic way to kill weeds. However, it may not be as effective as commercial herbicides, and you may need to repeat the application a few times to get the desired results.
Tips:
Use a high-quality white vinegar with a high acetic acid content (around 20-30%) for better results.
Avoid using kitchen vinegar, as it may not be strong enough to kill weeds effectively.
Be cautious when using this recipe, as the vinegar's acidity can damage some plants or surfaces. Test it on a small area first to ensure it doesn’t harm anything.
This recipe is best used for small areas of weeds, such as cracks in sidewalks or driveways. For larger areas, you may need to use a commercial herbicide or repeat the application multiple times.
This may not kill as quickly as Round-up, but it won't be toxic to human and animal life!
Lawsuits with Bayer:
https://www.reuters.com/legal/us-appeals-court-finds-bayer-not-shielded-roundup-lawsuits-2024-02-05/
Miller & Zois is a law firm handling hundreds of lawsuits against Bayer/Monsanto for Roundup's cancer-producing properties.
https://www.millerandzois.com/products-liability/roundup-cancer-lawsuits/
STOP THE USE OF ROUNDUP NOW!!!
Penelope Curtis
Grass Valley
Dear NID Board;
Please put my public comment in today's agenda. Please put the "No Spray Agreement" in all of your monthly newsletters so folks can download it and print it out.
I just learned that NID Is using RoundUp (glyphosate) along its ditches in Nevada County. Spraying this very toxic product without informing property owners in advance of its application is negligent.
NID has a "No Spray Agreement". However, do property owners know about this? My feeling is, NID, prior to spraying anything on people's property, needs to notify the property owner by mail, far enough in advance, and include the "No Spray Agreement".
People need a choice of whether to use glyphosate, a known carcinogen, on their property where they may be growing food, or have children or pets come in contact with this dangerous product.
Just because California approves its use, does not mean RoundUp, or its generic product, containing glyphosate is safe. There are many lawsuits happening now, with huge settlements being awarded against Bayer, the manufacturer of RoundUp.
NID does not want to be included in a lawsuit for not informing property owners and giving them an opportunity to sign the "No Spray Agreement". Furthermore, employees need to be fully educated on the safe application of this product.
Sincerely,
Pauli Halstead
FYI
Hello Penelope,
My name is Jason Carroll and I run the vegetation control program for NID. We understand your concerns and in response to your inquiry into the use of Roundup and Glyphosate products, we continue to use them as there are very little to no other alternatives currently available. As a public agency we are required by the state of California and the US EPA to use products that are registered and labeled for use along irrigation canals. Unfortunately, there are about 7 commercial herbicides that can be used in or around water, and of those 7 herbicides, 5 of them have restrictions for the use of water after treatment, meaning the water cannot be used for 5-120 days depending on the product. The remaining 2 products which the district employees use are either made with Glyphosate, or another product made with Imazamox, which we have been testing with over the last 2 years. However, the product has a higher use rate (meaning using more of the product per acre) and costs roughly 15 times more per acre applied.
The district has done trials with many Organic herbicides, and has done trials using Vinegar as well. However, not one Organic product is labeled for the application along irrigation banks and canals including vinegar. In fact, all of the Organic products trialed specifically say not for use in or around water. Also, the majority of Organic herbicides, including Vinegar are classified with Warning and Danger labels, which in the State of California require extensive protective gear including the use of full face Respirators and Tyvec suits / Coveralls due to an heavily increased acute risk of danger to the applicators (Meaning no product is 100% safe).
NID has implemented an ever growing integrated vegetation management plan to employ the use of alternative control methods, including the use goats / livestock, equipment such as excavators, mowers, trimmers, man power with weed whips and hook forks and the use of herbicides. In doing so we have reduced our overall use of Glyphosate products by 60% in the last 2 years and work every year to implement various methods of control. Also, we work under close scrutiny of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, State Water Resource Control Board and our local County Agricultural Commissioners to ensure that the applications we do make are done in the safest manner possible.
I thank you for your inquiry and as said above, we do understand your concern and we strive to be good stewards of the environment and the public. I have also attached a copy of our no spray agreement should you wish to add your property to a list of properties we do not spray, if you have any questions or concerns with it please let me know and I will assist you as much as I can.
Thank you,
Jason Carroll
Assistant Superintendent
Vegetation Maintenance Department
Nevada Irrigation District
1036 West Main Street
Grass Valley, CA 95945-5424
T: 530.273.6185 Ext. 1297
F: 530.271.6808
E: carrollj@nidwater.com
https://www.nidwater.com/