Thanks for publishing the article by Carol Ann Alaimo in the Sunday paper, on the local suit against Monsanto.
The environmental assessment for the aerial spraying of Roundup has allowed the National Park Service to spray for invasive non-native grasses. The active ingredient in Roundup, glyphosate, is in a list of twenty or so chemicals that the NPS can use. Glyphosate should not be allowed for use by the NPS, as it is now listed as a carcinogen by the State of California and as a probable carcinogen by the World Health Organization. Some of the other chemicals in the list are also very toxic, and should not be allowed for use by the NPS.
We need to rid areas of buffelgrass and other invasive plants by hand, for targeted high-priority areas. Many Arizonans, including myself, have personally eradicated these grasses. The NPS also should consider other more benign chemicals like agricultural grade vinegar.
Russell Lowes
Midtown
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
