L.P.'s stated position is that Garlon, a phenoxy herbicide, is "No more harmful than coffee or aspirin," and that they will continue to practice forestry as they see fit. The words in quotes come out of Dow Elanco literature. The same company also tells us that Garlon can cause "liver or kidney" problems in rats, by the way.
Same Response
Tommy Thompson's response is of course not out of character; it is the same response seen by this community from L.P. officials for over twenty years: stonewall; tell us it's legal; keep doing it; business as usual!
Louisiana Pacific does not have to use chemicals. There are non-chemical methods that can be used to remove the hardwoods and scrub brush if necessary. It costs about $1200 more per acre, according to an L.P. employee. That amount is considered too expensive and so we are expected to compromise our health for corporate gain.
Our concerns are only important to the extent that we might prevent them from conducting business, or to the extent that significant bad press might be generated. L.P. is, after all, a major corporation dependent on investors. Public opinion and, more importantly, divestment can affect it's value. We are learning through the Actions at Headwaters that investors do hear us.
A couple of hours after the rally, I was standing in the Board of Supervisors chamber with about thirty of my neighbors from around the County. Our message to the Supervisors was: "We are living in fear and you are our elected officials. Help us!"
Ag Commissioner
We had left many of the others across the parking lot at Agriculture Commissioner Dave Bengston's office. About every five minutes three of them were going into his office to give him an earful. He is an employee of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, responsible for how these chemicals are used in this County. Mendocino County now has the fourth highest usage of herbicides and pesticides in California.
The most impassioned statements came from the people living in the Noyo watershed area, where L.P. was getting ready to spray. Listening to them speak, I was deeply moved by their fear for the health of their families, their neighbors and the environment. Notably, not a one expressed fear for themselves, rather it was their love and concern for others that motivated them to act. They of course have a right to be fearful for themselves and all their loved ones.
Cancer, birth defects, miscarriages, suppressed immune systems are all examples of the ills caused by petrochemicals like these herbicides and pesticides. The cost of combating these illnesses, millions of dollars annually, is borne by the individuals effected and their loved ones, not by the timber or petrochemical companies. In places like Love Canal, Bhopal, Petrolia and Comptche, individual lives, families and whole communities have been destroyed.
The history of chemicals like Garlon parallels that of the nuclear industry in this country. Designed as weapons of war to create destruction and devastation, they were later converted to domestic uses without any concern for our health (Garlon is only one molecule different from 2,4,5-T, a chemical used in the manufacture of Agent Orange). Most importantly, their uses were sanctioned despite concerns raised by the public. Historically, legislation and bureaucracies were actually created at taxpayer expense to ensure that the petrochemical companies could produce and sell their wares. I am told that the Dept. of Pesticide Regulation is funded through the collection of fees generated from the petrochemical companies. Bengston's office is funded by our County. He is appointed by the Board of Supervisors but responsible to Sacramento, not the Supes.
Additional Laws
Additional laws were passed in the name of private property rights or State rights to insure that all of us would be able to use these products without interference, no matter what the concerns of others. Thanks to Willie Brown, AB 2635 (Sept. 84) took all control away from the Counties over the regulation of local pesticide use, giving all power to the State. The outcome has been just as devastating as when these poisons were used for war.
Today, legislation is passed to remove all culpability from the manufacturers and their clients. Even more legislation is being passed so that our rights to hold these companies accountable in a Court of Law are curtailed. Mega-deals are being made with whole industries like tobacco, to limit their financial liabilities and our recourse. Yet the practices of the petrochemical companies and their surrogates like the timber industry make the tobacco industry look almost benign by comparison.
The timber industry, like so much of "Corporate America," lies! For people who live in the Forest, as many of us here do, the sources of pollutants and carcinogens are obvious. We have no large industries, no oil refineries, auto exhaust is minimal, and we do not live among farms or vineyards that spray agricultural pesticides.
Signs
One sign in my neighborhood reads "Poisons Know No Boundaries." Across the road another reads "Children at Play." To capitulate now would be to give in to oppression. The oppression lurks in our woods, right along those imaginary lines called property boundaries.
For us there is no possibility of compromise. To compromise means that your friends or your unborn grandchildren will suffer the consequences. To compromise here now means that our cousins in Virginia or sisters in Oregon will suffer because Louisiana Pacific, Georgia Pacific, MAXXAM, Sierra Pacific or some other "Entity" uses the same practices in those places.
So our Friends in the Noyo with help from others in Willits, Ukiah, Albion, Laytonville and throughout the County, are preparing themselves to handle their business and stop "Loot and Poisons' business as usual." We have had too many miscarriages among our neighbors, too many birth defects among our newborns; cancers are rampant; allergies and other more advanced signs of immuno- suppression are everywhere. Mendocino County now has one of the highest cancer rates in California.
Throughout the county, folks are organized to show L.P. that it is no longer acceptable for our communities to be used as living laboratories for Dow Elanco or Monsanto. The fear is real and that is why people sing, make speeches and hoist signs. To do less would be to give in to that fear.
Franklin D. Roosevelt told the world that we had nothing to fear but fear itself. Today in our neighborhoods we are faced with fear itself and it's time for us to know if L.P. officials are feeling fear or if they're just feeling smug about the whole situation. Maybe they feel safe in their pink corporate tower in Portland Oregon and behind their fences in Calpella.
Maybe they need to fear our fear. For the fear itself is giving us the will and the strength to bring them around. Stick around folks. Join with us. We can always use a little help. Namaste.
WANT TO HELP?
¥ Don't Compromise! Your health and life are too important. Be unyielding in your protection of life.
¥ Form an affinity group! One person or twenty people.
¥ Organize and coordinate actions as a group! (-write letters -make phone calls -send faxes -demonstrate.)
¥ Talk to people! You never know who owns stock in these companies. People everywhere are sympathetic and they can help as well.
¥ Go on-line! Tell the world what is happening here and what we are doing.
¥ Support others who are active! Invite an activist to dinner, donate items which can be used to get more done: money is always helpful, hugs are most necessary, massages are always appreciated and moral support and positive energy are always great.
¥ Who to contact: Barbara Boxer, Diane Feinstein, Frank Riggs Governor Wilson, Mike Thompson, Virginia Strom-Martin, North Coast Water Quality Management Board, Mendocino County Board of Supervisors, Dave Bengston, Agricultural Commissioner -L-P Mark Suwyn and the Board of Directors.
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 1997
Permission granted to excerpt or use this article if source is cited