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I just finished reading the House Bill
4730
----- Original Message -----
From: Anne
Woiwode
To: 'ENVIRO-MICH'
Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2003 5:07 PM
Subject: E-M:/ Dangerous Lake Chemicals - HB 4730 Introduced in
Michigan House Enviro-Michers: I am forwarding a message I received
regarding HB 4730, a bill which as is noted below seems poised to
drastically change the control over pesticides and other chemicals used in
the control of aquatic nuisance species. The bill itself, and a tie barred
bill HB 4729, can be found on the Michigan Legislature website, www.michiganlegislature.org, by
entering the bill number. I would appreciate any insights and discussion
from others on this list. Anne
Woiwode
As I read this bill it lets the chemical
industry apply chemicals in any lake even if only one owner asks for
them, and even if 99% of those who have property on the lake are
opposed.
Alert other Michiganers to this dangerous
legislation, call your Michigan House Member and call
your Michigan Senator. Tell them that HB 4730 is a
bad idea.
At the very bottom of this message I have
reprinted information from the labels on the packages of the two chemicals
that are the most heavily used in our lakes by the chemical
industry. It sends chills down my spine.
This is the same bill that was
allowed to die in the Senate last year, because it was so bad for our
lakes. The chemical industry is trying again!!!!
Please forward this message to your members who are
concerned about dangerous chemicals in our lakes, and urge them to
contact their members of the Michigan House and Michigan
Senate.
* * *
The lake chemical industry is pushing
HB 4730 through the Michigan Legislature. The bill essentially
eliminates the existing DEQ permit process for applying weed-killing
chemicals in Michigan lakes, and replaces it with a simple notice
procedure that allows the chemical applicators to put
unlimited amounts of 2, 4D, Diquat, Floridone, and
other chemicals in lakes 14 days after they send DEQ a "Declaration of
Intent."
The bill has a no-teeth provision for "Lake
Management Plans" or "Vegetation Management Plans",
essentially saying that if a few folks on a lake want to have chemicals in
their lake, it will be done even if the great majority
of riparian owners object.
The chemical industry just keeps repeating:
"The DEQ has so many applications to put chemicals in our
lakes that they can't get them processed in a timely
fashion. We just have to do away with the DEQ permit
program."
My answer is:
1. By itself, the fact that the chemical
industry is applying to put dangerous chemicals in over 800 Michigan
lakes is a wake-up call. How many pounds of 2, 4D do they want
to put into our lakes and streams?
2. These (2, 4D, Diquat,
Floridone) ARE dangerous chemicals, you know. The
Department of Environmental Quality SHOULD take the time to
carefully check out the applications.
3. Part of the problem is that we have an
insufficient number of staff members at the the DEQ.
4. In some cases, the permit applications
take time because there ARE significant risks to the affected
communities. In the case of my home lake (Big Blue, Muskegon
County) for example, we have hundreds of children from camps playing
in the water, and we have an active Bald Eagle nest. Its not
black and white.
5. Maybe we should do away with driver's licenses
next.
As I read this bill it lets the chemical
industry apply chemicals in any lake even if only one owner asks for
them, and even if 99% of those who have property on the lake are
opposed.
Continue to alert other Michiganers to this
dangerous legislation, call your Michigan House Member
and call your Michigan Senator. Tell them that
HB 4730 is a bad idea.
From the label of diquat : “Do not apply this
product in a way that will contact any person or pet, either directly or through
drift.... Clothing exposed to this
product should be washed in detergent and hot water. Such items should ...be washed
separately from other laundry.
Users should wash hands
before eating, drinking, chewing gum, using tobacco, or using the toilet. Users should remove
clothing immediately if pesticide gets inside... First aid: If inhaled: Remove victim to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration, preferably mouth to mouth. Get medical
attention. Environmental hazards: This pesticide is toxic to aquatic invertebrates. Do not apply directly to water.”
From the label of 2, 4D Harmful if
swallowed. Avoid contact with
eyes, skin, or
clothing. Wear face
shield or goggles when mixing,
loading, or applying this product. After using this product. remove clothing
and launder separately before reuse,
and promply and thoroughly wash hands and exposed skin with soap and
water.
Do not apply directly to
water or to areas where surface water is present or to intertidal areas below
the mean high water mark. When cleaning equipment
do not pour the washwater on the ground. Spray or drain over a large area away from wells and
other water sources. Caution should be
exercised when handling 2,4D and MCPP pesticides ...to prevent contamination of
groundwater supplies. This product is toxic to aquatic invertebrates. |