Timber companies in Oregon routinely spray their forest lands with hazardous chemicals such as Glyphosate, Atrazine and 2,4-D (an ingredient in Agent Orange) to prevent plant growth after a clear-cut. Due to drift from aerial spraying these chemicals “trespass”, contaminating surface and groundwater, livestock, crops, and people.
Spraying by ground and air has increased 17% since 2010, continuing to threaten wildlife, our precious watersheds, and the health of every Oregonian. Hope in the Oregon Legislature all but died due to more corporate paid lobbyist style legislation sneaking in under false pretense. Leaving only a worthless 60ft buffer around homes and schools.
The Right to Farm and Forest Act shields timber companies against liability for the harm they cause as long as they are following what are “generally accepted practices”, including the aerial spraying of herbicides near populated areas. Because of this Act, Oregonians have no legal recourse to sue timber companies, or the State, for the impact on the health of community members or damage to their property.
To combat this ongoing practice by timber companies, the Freedom from Aerial Herbicides Alliance has drafted a Community Rights-based charter amendment to ban the aerial spraying of herbicides in Lane County, Oregon. Our work draws on the assistance of The Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF), which works with communities throughout the country to protect the health, safety, and welfare of their residents and the natural environment, and to establish environmental and economic sustainability.
What can you do to help with the campaign? If you are a Lane County registered voter, sign the petition and volunteer to help gather more signatures! However, if you want to see this dangerous practice stopped, you don’t have to be from Lane County to support this amendment. It’s going to take major funding to stand up to the timber industry and Monsanto’s advertising campaigns once we’re on the ballot. You can help us regain our Rights and Win this campaign by supporting our effort with your donations!