Tri-Cities Forced To Treat Acres Of Weeds–With Spray Bottles! (YOUR INPUT)

Imagine you're trying to control noxious weeds on acres of shoreline.  Now, imagine having to treat them by hand with a spray bottle!

That's what's now facing Richland, Pasco and Kennewick after the Army Corps of Engineers passed new restrictions on how weed control pesticides are now applied to weeds in and around parks along the Columbia, Snake and other rivers.   The new rules, drafted in January, now require ALL weed controls that are applied within 60 feet of the water be done by hand.

  Pasco used to use one person, a truck, and a 200 gallon spray tank system to treat the Sacajawea Heritage trail for noxious weeds-at a cost of about $240.  Under the new rules, it will take at least a dozen people using 32 oz. spray bottles at a cost of perhaps thousands of dollars!   And, instead of one licensed applicator individual treating dozens of acres, each of the spray bottlers will also have to apply, and pay for, the license.

  The reason for the new rules is government regulations from the Corps to ensure that chemcial applications "have no effect on the enviornment."    The Richland, Pasco and Kennewick Mayors have sent a letter to the Corps strongly protesting the new rules, which also restrict what types of pesticides can be used. Many Tri-City officials say the chemical restrictions could result in far more insects bothering visitors to the river and parks this year, which could have a negative effect on recreation. It could also end up costing YOU, the taxpayer, a lot more money from each city having to meet the new restrictions.

   To voice your opinion on this matter, Click Here.  You can send an email with your questions and comments to the Corps.