Answer Man: On Reems Creek Road, widespread herbicide spraying?

Today’s batch of burning questions, my smart-aleck answers and the real deal:

Question: I've noticed there’s been a lot of weed killer spraying along the entire length of Reems Creek Road. Having lived here almost two decades, this seems unprecedented and even more concerning, as more is now known about the effects of these potent chemicals on our health and the environment. Importantly, many people in this valley are on well water and have small children. Nobody was contacted about this spraying, and nobody had the invitation to opt out on this massive spraying. The spraying seems to go well beyond the guardrails and appears to be completely unnecessary for increased driver visibly or safety. It also appears to drift onto private land outside of any "easement." Why do they spray? Who authorized this spraying? Who "masterminds" where this is to be done, how and what? Who can stop this spraying? Why did they not appraise nor ask the community? Is this an appropriate management tool for basic foliage that will die back in two months? In the past machines have trimmed the roadways. Why change to toxic chemicals? What roads are next? Where are the spraying crews today, this week and next week spraying without people's consent or foreknowledge? What about the bees? What about the families? What are their plans for next spring, summer and fall?      

My answer: Just for future reference, once you pass 10 questions packed into one question, I charge you double.

Real answer: So, I recently wrote about this issue of herbicide spraying, as the DOT district that includes Henderson County was doing a lot of it, too. You can read that column here.

I can tell you that environmentalists have concerns about the practice, too, so you're not alone.

But first up, we'll hear from the Asheville office of the North Carolina Department of Transportation, which oversees the weed control program on all state roads in Buncombe County, including Reems Creek. Jeffrey L. Wait, division roadside environmental engineer for the Asheville DOT office, provided answers. Division 13 includes Buncombe and six other counties.

"The use of herbicides in Division 13 is primarily conducted along our interstate and primary routes," Wait said. "Herbicide treatments are occasionally used along secondary routes, such as Reems Creek Road, where reoccurring troublesome vegetation grows, kudzu being one example that is managed well by herbicides."

As far as why the DOT cuts it back or uses herbicides to control it, the reasons run the gamut.

"Overgrown roadside vegetation can pose a safety risk to the traveling public by reducing sight distance, obstructing visibility of traffic signs and roadside markers, and may result in fallen trees and limbs creating roadway hazards," Wait said "Therefore, the management of roadside vegetation is a necessary component of the Department of Transportation’s maintenance operations."

The DOT "utilizes an integrated roadside vegetation management approach which employs proven, practical, and fiscally responsible methods," he said.

"This includes manual and mechanical clearing of vegetation and the use of herbicide applications," Wait said. "The use of herbicide sprays is often the most efficient and cost effective method available. Also, many times the use of herbicides yields better results in terms of vegetation control."

As the DOT in Henderson County also maintains, Wait said they use "extreme care" when applying herbicides, and they "are applied under the supervision of individuals who are licensed by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services."

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"The chemical formulations utilized are carefully selected based upon the area to be treated and the type of vegetation to be controlled," Wait said. "Factors such as weather, wind, and the proximity to water sources are each considered prior to all herbicide applications. All herbicide  treatments used by the Department of Transportation are EPA approved and are applied according to the herbicide manufacturer’s label instructions."

On Reems Creek, the aim was to "eliminate overgrown and unwanted woody and broad-leaf vegetation in the vicinity of signs, along guardrails, and within traditional mowing patterns," Wait said.

"Over time, these areas will grow back in grasses, which are much more easily maintained," Wait continued. "Well maintained areas along the route, free of any unwanted or overgrown vegetation, did not receive herbicide treatment, particularly in areas around homes that are maintained by the property owner."

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When I wrote about the spraying in Henderson County and the DOT's use of the herbicide Triclopyr, which is sold in various formulations and brands, including Crossbow and Access, the Asheville-based environmental advocacy nonprofit MountainTrue raised concerns.

MountainTrue Riverkeeper Hartwell Carson said in general he has concerns about widespread spraying, particularly about herbicides ending up in waterways.

"Several years ago there was a fish kill in the Mills River from herbicide applications, which highlights why such widespread spraying is a bad idea," Carson said then. "Sure, it might be cheaper in the short run to blast herbicides along our roadways than to cut them back manually, but who is going to pay the long-term costs if it harms our environment or if the spray makes us sick?"

The DOT and other governmental agencies maintain that tryclopyr is safe, but MountainTrue raises concerns and says the DOT is "vastly overusing" it.

"Tryclopyr appears to be harmful to fish and waterfowl, and one study has shown that contamination from one of its byproducts, trichloropyridinol, is widespread, remains in the soil for up to a year, and has been linked to a decrease in testosterone in men," Carson said in August. "And this is just what we know right now. No herbicide is completely safe, and somewhere down the line, like with the case of RoundUp, we could find out that the effects on our environment and human health are far worse than were advertised."

This is the opinion of John Boyle. Contact him at 232-5847 or jboyle@citizen-times.com