Union Pacific Railroad has announced it will begin spraying herbicides to reduce vegetation along its railroad tracks within Eugene city limits today.
More than two years ago, the railroad received criticism from local residents because it did not notify the community that it planned to spray. The railroad company is now required to post when spraying chemicals because of the “Good Neighbor Agreement” it has with the city of Eugene, according to a railroad press release.
The agreement is “a voluntary pact among a social service agency and its stakeholders that describes ways all those involved will promote neighborhood safety and livability,” according to the city’s Web site.
The railroad will be spraying herbicides, including diuron 80, glyphosate and SMF-75, within a 12-foot radius of its railroad tracks for the next two days.
James Barnes, spokesman for Union Pacific Railroad, said vegetation has to be removed around the tracks as part of the railroad’s safety initiative program.
“To make sure we are properly managing our assets on the railroad within a certain area around the tracks, we have to make sure the area is clear so that motorists can clearly see that a train is coming,” said Barnes.
Glyphosate, commonly known by the brand name Roundup, is rated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as having a toxicity level of three, with level one being the most toxic and level four being the least. However, independent studies have shown conflicting results about what harm glyphosate may cause humans.
The EPA classifies diuron as a “known/likely” carcinogen because it has caused bladder cancer, kidney cancer and breast cancer in studies with laboratory animals, according to the 2003 Journal of Pesticide Reform, a publication of the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides.
Oregon Toxics Alliance Executive Director Lisa Arkin disagrees with the railroad company’s decision to use herbicides.
“We feel that there are better alternatives than poisonous sprays, and spray can drift and affect animals and humans that are unintended targets,” said Arkin.
The press release said that the railroad will exercise drift-control methods.
Barnes said that the amount of chemicals used is small enough that it will not impact groundwater.
He also said the railroad was taking precautions to make sure that the chemicals are used responsibly.
People should stay clear of the railroad tracks when workers are spraying so they don’t inhale the chemicals, Barnes said.
“We advise people to use common sense,” he said.
Nathaniel Nyphen, campaign organizer of the Sustainable Forestry Network, suggested that using heat from steam or fire is a better alternative to potentially harmful herbicides.
Eugene City Councilor Andrea Ortiz said she is upset that the railroad company uses herbicides.
“There has never been any consideration for alternatives,” she said.
She also said that she was disappointed that the railroad has not considered using manual labor to remove vegetation.
“I cannot believe in this day in time that we do not have anything that can do it (remove herbicides) nonorganically,” she said.
Barnes said the railroad company does some work removing vegetation manually and with the use of machines. Barnes also said not all work is done manually because the use of chemicals is more efficient at removing the vegetation and helps prevent future growth for a period of time.
Ortiz, however, said she is pleased that the railroad company posts when it is spraying.
“It is a step in the right direction that they are posting what they are doing,” she said.
The railroad will post the chemicals used at the Atrium Building on 99 W. 10th St. on the first floor reception area. The chemicals are also posted online at www.cdms.net.
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