(774) 353‐6511 POCCAcapecod.org poccacapecod@gmail.com
Helping to Preserve Our Quality of Life on Cape Cod
March 9, 2015 The Honorable U.S. Senator Edward Markey 975 JFK Federal Building 15 New Sudbury Street Boston, Massachusetts 02203 Dear Senator Markey: Thank you for your interest in working with us in our efforts to prevent NSTAR/Eversource from continuing to spray herbicides along the utility rights-of-way throughout Cape Cod. We’ve been struggling with this issue for many years and we appreciate any help you can give us.
Pesticides Along our Utility Rights‐of‐Way on Cape Cod Our primary focus continues to be local, where the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, MDAR, allows NSTAR to spray despite the fact that every town on Cape Cod has asked them to cancel this program. Dan Wolf, our state senator, has recently filed a bill allowing towns to opt out of spraying. We’ve also asked Dan and our other representatives to make several changes to the current regulations. (here). Requested action:
Would your office issue a statement supporting our efforts on the Cape?
The Blank Check – “The EPA Says These Pesticides Are Safe” Whenever we speak with NSTAR or MDAR, we hear the same thing: the EPA says these pesticides are safe and represent no threat to the environment. We believe the EPA’s approval of these chemicals dates back decades and the United States has been slow to officially acknowledge the growing concern that these chemicals may disrupt our endocrine systems. Congress directed the EPA to evaluate all pesticides as potential endocrine disruptors almost 10 years ago. Glyphosate, the most widely used pesticide in the world, appeared on the initial list of chemicals to be evaluated. Despite this, the EPA’s Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program appears to be moving slowly and has produced very confusing, if any, results. Requested action:
Would your office direct the Environmental Protection Agency to publish any interim findings along with a
(774) 353‐6511 POCCAcapecod.org poccacapecod@gmail.com
schedule for making any final determinations on the first set of chemicals? We recognize pesticides are now widely used in agriculture throughout the United States and, as a result, we realize the EPA may be very hesitant to make any categorical determination these chemicals represent a risk to our health and the environment. However, with agricultural products, we can all “opt-out” from pesticides by purchasing organic and non-GMO products. Unfortunately, as NSTAR sprays herbicides along its rights-of-way over Cape Cod’s sole source aquifer, we’re concerned about the long term effects on our water supply and we have no comparable way to “opt-out.” Requested action:
Would your office ask the EPA to acknowledge that many Americans are concerned about the potential risks of these chemicals and that the industry should look for ways to address those concerns?
The United States as a World Participant In 2013, the World Health Organization published an in-depth analysis “State of the Science of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals 2012.” This report recognizes that pesticides and other chemicals “can affect the endocrine (hormonal) system and interfere with important developmental processes in humans and wildlife.” Requested action:
Would your office ask Congress and the EPA to respond to the concerns raised in this report and to set a national strategy where the United States helps lead environmental efforts such as this?
Are Pesticides an Agricultural Issue or a Water Quality Issue? Currently, the federal government and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts regulate pesticides based upon their primary use as an aid in agriculture. We’re concerned with the use of pesticides along our utility rights-of-way where the agricultural use is far less important. In managing our water quality, there is increasing concern about pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and other “Contaminants of Emerging Concern,” usually referred to as CECs. The US Geological Society states: “Before the mid-1970s, it was thought that soil acted as a protective filter that stopped pesticides from reaching groundwater. Studies have now shown that this is not the case. Pesticides can reach water-bearing aquifers below ground from applications onto crop fields, Herbicide Use on our Utility Rights‐of‐Way
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seepage of contaminated surface water, accidental spills and leaks, improper disposal, and even through injection waste material into wells.” Pesticides in Groundwater
While CECs have been getting more attention over the past 10 years, we expect it will take quite a bit of time for science to “prove” the impact of these chemicals and to incorporate that science into our regulations. Requested action:
Would your office direct the EPA to manage the use of pesticides along utility rights-of-way under its clean water programs rather than under its agricultural programs?
Remembering Lady Bird Johnson In the 1960s, Lady Bird Johnson launched one of our country’s first large scale environmental programs when she encouraged the country to plant flowers along our highways, even as we slowed the expansion of highway billboards. Today, we have a similar opportunity. Widespread use of pesticides is considered a likely factor in the loss of 99% of our Monarch Butterflies and the widespread collapse of bee colonies. Many share our concern that these two events are “canaries in the coal mine,” early warning signs of other ecological challenges ahead. Requested action:
Would your office ask Congress to launch a program where we use our utility rights-of-way to foster natural healthy environments helping to repair some of the damage caused by other widespread use of pesticides?
Thank you for the opportunity to submit these comments. If you have questions or want additional information, please contact us at poccacapecod@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
Laura Kelley Director, POCCA Cape Cod
Jim McCauley
Herbicide Use on our Utility Rights‐of‐Way
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