KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH ASSEMBLY

Ron Long, President

      Pete Sprague, Vice President

144 North Binkley Street

Soldotna, Alaska 99669

M E M O R A N D U M

TO:                        All Assembly Members

FROM:                  Ron Long, Assembly President

DATE:                   August 16, 2006

SUBJECT:            Resolution 2006-078: Opposing the Alaska Railroad’s Permit Request to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation to Spray Herbicidal Mixtures Along the Railroad’s Rights of Way within the Kenai Peninsula Borough

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This resolution asks the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to deny the Alaska Railroad’s request for a permit to spray listed herbicides along rights of way in the Borough. Areas of track pass near homes that rely on shallow water wells that draw from groundwater in the runoff path of the rights of way proposed to be sprayed. Chemical runoff will also impact fish streams, lakes and rivers near the tracks, with the possibility of being introduced into the human and wildlife food chain.

Prior applications have been denied for health reasons and in recognizing local concerns. The Railroad then used manual and mechanical methods to control the vegetative growth. The vegetation returned after several seasons, requiring periodic maintenance. However, chemical methods would also require periodic re-application, resulting in an increasing cumulative level of toxics along the rights of way.

Your consideration is appreciated.