Before 2003, the state maintained the roadsides by removing
vegetation with weed whackers and lawn mowers. Then, in 2003, MassHighway began using toxic chemicals to get rid of
weeds -- toxic chemicals that can run off into our water supply and
which can present significant health hazards.
There's no need to expose these communities to dangerous chemicals
when a lawnmower or a pair of hedge trimmers will do the trick. Plans
are in the works to begin using these toxic chemicals later this month,
so we need to act quickly. We've asked the Secretary of Transportation
and Construction Bernard Cohen to choose safer alternatives, and I'd
like to ask you to do the same.
Petition Text:
The
toxic chemicals that are contained in the herbicides that MassHighway
is using to maintain roadsides can runoff into drinking water, which
can present significant health hazards. There is no need to expose our
communities to these risks when safer alternatives are available.
Please replace these dangerous chemicals with organic herbicides or
manual weed removal methods.
