Kent and I own three acres and feel pretty blessed to have so much space right here in a suburb. (Our lot is tiny at the curb, but goes waaaaay out back and widens. Don't you love that picture above?) We've always been grateful that we could send the kids out to play in the woods, throw rocks into our pond, and goof around on the sand dunes that are out there. Some of our land is part of a city easement due to the power lines and the pond was put in for drain water retention.
Recently a guy from Consumers Power came to the door to let us know that they'd be doing some trimming out there to keep branches out of the power lines. No problem, right? I thanked him for letting us know and forgot about it.
Then two weeks later, someone else came to the door…
This time she said, “Hi, we do work for Consumers and just wanted to let you know that we're going to be spraying some herbicide on some of the trees out back.”
Me: “Why can't you just trim them like the guy said who came out a couple of weeks ago?”
Her: “Because this keeps it from growing back as fast and we don't have to come out here as often. It's perfectly safe.”
Me: “No, it's actually a poison.”
Her: “It's safe for people and wildlife, you can still send your kids to play out there and stuff. It was specifically formulated just to kill off the vegetation.”
Me: “I doubt that's even been studied enough.”
Her: “Yes, it's been studied and found to be safe by the DEQ (Michigan Department of Environmental Quality) or else they wouldn't let us spray it.”
Me: “But I don't trust that government agency any more than I trust the FDA when they say that all the crap they put in our food is safe.” (Only I didn't say crap and neither word makes me sound very intelligent, so I probably messed that up and lost all credibility, but I was pretty unhappy in that moment!)
Her: “OK, well I'll have Consumers come out and talk to you then.”
Me: “OK, thank you!”
So today I called the number on the card she left just to be sure they will not be spraying out there. Couldn't you just see them doing it and saying that it was a ‘mix up'? I'm still waiting for a call back on that.
As much as we try to avoid all the chemicals in our food, why would we want to allow them to spray a bunch of chemicals in the woods where our kids play?!
That's all, just a little Friday rant for you. I'll let you know how it comes out. (Update: I never heard back…)
Anyone have anything similar happen?
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- Google Facts and “Truth” Up for Grabs? Now Google is Going Bad Too?!
don stone says
Found your site while doing some investigating. Back in the 50’s I lived adjacent to an area (approx.) 150 feet distant from an area that was sprayed by consumers to” keep the foliage down,” or some thing to that effect. Within a short time I remember all the leaves turning brown and dropping off as well as the small trees dying. In 1967 – 1968 I went to Viet Nam and saw first hand what agent orange did to the foliage. The similarities are still embedded in my mind as I lost my only Daughter to this insidious chemical. I am rated by the VA. for chloracne and peripheral neuropathy from agent orange. The population around my old neighborhood suffered an inordinate amount of cancer instances and so thus my search. Do not let them tell you some chemical is “harmless” I am living proof that chances are they do not really know or do not care! My search continues and I will keep you posted concerning any results. Also if there is anyone out there with any info about spraying don close to the intersection of Broadway and Quarterline back in the 50″s I would appreciate any leads. Do not let them spray anything any where your Family. Keep up the fight! My phone number is 231-668-9799 My name is Don. Thanks.
Melissa @ IntegrativeNutritionalTherapies.com says
Way to stand up for what you believe in Kelly! I would have said the same.
KitchenKop says
Here’s a little update…
The Consumers guy came and I told him we don’t want any spray. He said, “It’s just a little spray at the base of the shrub or tree and they do that because we have miles of lines to maintain, and otherwise couldn’t keep up on it all. Personally I don’t believe it’s any big deal, we’ve been using this or some variation of this herbicide for decades. (Why doesn’t that make me feel any better?!) But I’m not going to try to convince you and will respect your concerns, and since it’s such a small amount anyway, we won’t worry about it. I’ll just tell them no spray.”
He was a nice guy and I thanked him as he left. I wonder how much is sprayed in nearby areas, though?!
Jeanne says
Oh no, Kelly! We are so blessed in this neighborhood for our children to play in the woods, at the pond and at the dunes!
Jeanmarie says
Fight the good fight, Kelly!
Jeannette says
Oh Kelly, my husband and I were both nodding our heads when we read this. Your property sounds almost exactly like ours. We have 2 1/2 acres in a neighborhood with woods….and power lines at the back of the property. We had the same situation except without the courtesy call from the power company. Our property was fenced at the back by the previous owner exactly on the property line with farm fencing. He was a real stickler about the legality of it. There was jasmine growing all over it and the kids enjoyed going back there to see the little birds that had nested in it since it was nearer to their eye level. One day we went back and found it all brown and the bird nests but no birds. There had been babies and eggs at that time. The entire fence had been sprayed with a herbicide most likely Roundup. I am not sure how the jasmine vines which were confined to our fence, their beautiful, fragrant yellow flowers or the birds could possibly interfere with the huge transmission line towers but they just blindly sprayed everything. NICE! All 7 of our kids were heartbroken and my husband and I were shocked that it would have been done without our consent or at least some warning. We now have a sign on the outside of the bare fence (nothing has ever grown back) that says private property – Do not spray. It is totally infuriating that your own property can be contaminate with toxic chemicals by a company to the detriment of your family without your permission. I say that you are blessed to have had some warning and I’d stick to my guns and make a public issue of it and get some others to back you and be armed with your research and studies and make them squirm. We all know that their arguments won’t hold up so back them into a corner and force the issue. What you do could set a precedent that others could use in their areas to put and end to this. Go Kelly!
Pam says
Years ago we got a flyer about a government flyover to drop poison for some bug. I called to find out about it and they said it was perfectly safe. The next morning after the drop most of my chickens were lying dead in the coop.
Catherine Estes says
Hi Kelly,
We had a similar thing happen to us.
Our electric co-op announced in the monthly newsletter that they would be spraying herbicide and listed a number to call with questions.My husband called them and a representative came out and agreed not to spray if,we maintained the area ourselves.
All along our rural road you can see dead plants from the spraying.Our co-op says that the spray they are using only affects plants two feet tall and up and that it will give shorter plants a chance to take over. They also claim money is being saved.Everyone wins?
Denise says
Oh, man! Stick to your guns, Girl!!! Good for you.
Liz F. says
Nooo!
Lindsay says
Other points to bring up:
1) soil erosion due to lack of vegetation (if they kill everything) not to mention how unhealthy the ecosystem will be if they kill off all vegetation.
2) do they have specific approval to use it in that location, how will it be contained (runoff could bring it to other properties, nearby creeks, people’s vegetable gardens/lawns)
3) make them sign a liability statement taking full responsibility for any health issues your family has in the future.
4) maybe they need to get permission from other municipalities? City? County?
Hopefully they will take he hint and just trim the trees?
Soli says
Brilliant ideas!
Leah G says
Give them hell Kelly! We have 3 acres and on one side we have an easement for the power company as well. It stinks since they run right above our beautiful creek. It annoys the life out of me that I have to pay taxes on something I cannot use. Oh well our mistake for buying this land. We are fortunate that the last time they came to cut they actually bush-hogged a whole lot more when we asked them. All for free! our cows appreciated the extra space. I would NEVER let them spray anything! What about the beneficial insects? Plus like you I dont have the same definition of safe as the GOVT.