[MPWG] Opp to Support Harvesters

[etj-list at ifcae.org]

Dear Medicinal Plant Working Group members - I know it's more in vogue to 
make harvesters look like the bad guys, but here is an opportunity to do 
something to support them.  You may or may not agree with efforts to 
control alder and salmon berry but at the least alternatives to spraying 
pesticides (herbacides?) should be explored and the cultural and broader 
ecological ramifications clearly understood.  For those interested write to 
the addresses below, they have additional details they can provide.  ej

----------------------------------

At 10/27/2005, you wrote:

>
>It’s Back: Helicopter Pesticide Spraying in Southeast Alaska
>
>
>
>Who, What, Why, and When?
>
>
>Who: Long Island Trust / Klukwan, Inc.
>
>
>What: Klukwan, Inc. has re-applied to the Alaska Department of 
>Environmental Conservation (DEC) for a permit to spray a mixture of 
>pesticides and other chemicals by helicopter over 2,000 acres on Long 
>Island, near Prince of Wales Island. The target area includes fish habitat 
>and subsistence and recreation areas.
>
>Why: To kill salmonberry and red alder.
>
>When: Spraying would occur during the busy subsistence and commercial 
>fishing month of August, 2006.
>
>Last June, DEC conducted a public comment period for Klukwan, Inc.’s first 
>aerial spraying permit application. After SEACC and 28 other groups—tribal 
>councils, fishermen, health care providers, and conservation 
>organizations—appealed DEC’s decision to issue the permit, Klukwan, Inc. 
>relinquished its permit.  However, Klukwan, Inc. has since re-applied and 
>added yet another untested chemical to the toxic brew it proposes to spray 
>from helicopters.
>
>This is the first aerial spraying application under new pesticide 
>regulations. Permit conditions applied to this project will set the 
>standard for future projects. Over half a million acres of clearcut 
>private, state, and federal land around Alaskan communities—supplying 
>drinking water, wild food, basket-making materials, traditional medicines, 
>salmon, and other fisheries—could be subjected to similar aerial pesticide 
>spraying proposals.
>
>  So
concerned citizens have another opportunity to ask DEC tough 
> questions.  Please take advantage of this opportunity!
>
>DEC must receive your comments on or before 5:00 pm, Monday, Oct. 31.
>
>To learn more on how this might affect human health and our salmon 
>fisheries and what you can do to help, visit our website at 
><http://www.seacc.org/>www.seacc.org or see attached PDF document.
>
>Send the message to DEC that it should reject Klukwan, Inc.’s permit 
>application because the risks to Alaskans’ health and natural resources 
>are too great.
>
>Send comments to DEC by 5:00 pm, Monday, October 31:
>
>·         E-mail: <swoods at dec.state.ak.htm>swoods at dec.state.ak.us
>
>(Subject: Klukwan Aerial Permit)
>
>
>
>·         Fax: (907) 269-7600
>
>
>
>·         Mail: ADEC Pesticide Program
>
>Attn: Sandra Woods
>
>555 Cordova St.
>
>Anchorage, AK  99501
>
>
>
>Please send a copy of your signed letter to SEACC.  Fax:  (907) 463-3312
>
>
>
>For more information, please contact Jai (<jai at seacc.htm>jai at seacc.org) or 
>Sue (<sue at seacc.htm>sue at seacc.org) at SEACC.   Email or call 907-586-6942.
>
>
>
>SEACC is dedicated to safeguarding the unique environment of Southeast 
>Alaska. The values found in old-growth forests -- wildlife, clear waters, 
>fisheries, recreation opportunities, and solitude -- are essential to 
>continuing the Southeast Alaskan way of life.
>
>
>
>Please join as a member, volunteer, or consider an additional financial 
>contribution to support our work. Thank you.
>
>________________________________
>
>Southeast Alaska Conservation Council (SEACC)
>
>419 6th Street #200
>
>Juneau, AK 99801
>
>(907) 586-6942
>
><http://www.seacc.org>www.seacc.org
>
>
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