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7 <br />oravLge CouvX,tU <br />Cove M�ssbow for ttie &nVwowvu.ewt <br />Mevu.orawoltt u. <br />To: Barry Jacobs, Chair <br />Board of County Commissioners <br />From: Hervey McIver and Johnny Randall, Co- Chairs <br />Date: December 4, 2006 <br />Re: Comments from the Commission for the Environment Regarding <br />the Use of Herbicides in Utility and Roadside Rights -of -Way <br />In September, the Board of Orange County Commissioners referred to the <br />Commission for the Environment (CfE) for comment concerns raised by citizens <br />regarding herbicide use by Duke Power within their powerline rights -of -way <br />alongside a public road. This memo expresses the thoughts and recommendations <br />of the CfE on herbicide use in general and on the value of rights -of -way as wildlife <br />and native plant habitat. <br />In recent years, utility companies maintaining rights -of -way have moved away <br />from mowing to the use of herbicides for controlling woody vegetation. The NC DOT <br />(to a limited extent) and railroad companies also use herbicides to control woody, <br />vegetation within their rights -of -way. The use of herbicides to control woody <br />vegetation is becoming more common because of cost (labor and equipment) and <br />logistical (steep slopes and vehicular access) issues. <br />In response to an inquiry into the Duke Power incident, a company <br />representative stated in an e-mail that, in the case in question, a combination of <br />Accord concentrate (diluted to 3.1 %) and Arsenal was used. Glyphosate is the <br />active ingredient in Accord and is non - selective in its lethal effect on plants. <br />Imazapyr, the active ingredient in Arsenal, is a broadleaf- specific herbicide that has <br />non - selective plant effects through soil activity. <br />The Commission for the Environment has concerns about herbicide use in all <br />rights -of -way since even broadleaf - specific herbicides affect non - target plants via <br />soil activity. The loss of vegetation on these sites has negative impacts on the <br />environment and natural diversity. <br />Our specific concerns are outlined below. <br />1. Roadsides and utility rights -of -way represent a documented refugium <br />for many common and rare native grasses and herbaceous plants that <br />covxrxissioA for the Environncent <br />C/o orange cour, td EROA <br />PO BOX 8281 1-306-4 Revere Road <br />/tillsborough, Nc2 }278 <br />PV) 2.45 -25 0 <br />