Argh, why does weed control have to entail pesticides? Can't we just mow or trim or pull, and stop with the poisons? So many health and environmental issues are involved, and if this many residents don't want poisons applied, why haven't we chosen another way? I've walked my road and pulled or trimmed weeds, put a sign out asking them NOT to spray, but the spraying continues. Time to evolve and find a safer way! Please!

I am encouraged that one side of 84 will be spared the broadcast spraying of these herbicides, and that Caltrans held a meeting with the public in a sign they have heard our voices.

However, the rest of the news is incredibly disappointing! We would seriously have to enter into a signed agreement with Caltrans EACH time they spray to avoid our property being doused? That is three times a year, and so far it has been without the benefit of forewarning. Chemicals for pre-emergent weeds continue to kill for months and sometimes 3+ years according to the EPA fact sheets. I don't want them in my water, I don't want them on my property and it sounds like I basically have no choice. Perhaps now that the Town of Woodside may be affected we'll have some more people protesting these policies.

Here comes the spray again. There it goes into the creek. My kids play in the creek. Wildlife drinks from the creek. Here come the rashes and snotty noses my kids get if I don't keep them out of the creek and off the sides of the roads. There goes the fur coming out in clumps on my dog. There goes the local fox stumbling around as if he has a brain fog. Need I say more? Stop spraying poisons!

Good job by Caltrans. Looks like they are cooperating with the groups involved. I know not getting everything you would like is hard to swallow sometimes, but it is progress to what is, imo a non issue anyway. Thank goodness cal fire is standing up for those who worry about the safety issue of fire. Much worse than my dog losing clumps of hair? Such dramatics ha ha. Anyway let's keep the roadsides clear. Much appreciated.

Johnny, How do you define "good job"?

Caltrans not telling the town of Woodside that it was spraying within town limits?

Telling residents they could post "don't spray" signs, then not honoring them?

Obfuscating future spraying with signs like "Weed Abatement/Moving Closure/Possible Delays"? And by the way, what does "moving closure" even mean?

Using chemicals whose manufacturers warn are "toxic to fish, aquatic invertebrates, and plants. Do not apply directly to water, or to areas where surface water is present." etc. etc. etc.

If you think the spraying is good, so be it. But to praise a public agency's refusal to deal honestly with the public it's supposed to be serving is madness.

First we get sprayed with a neurotoxin for Mosquitos, now this!!! We need to stop. Some of us have been tested for high amounts of pesticides in our systems and we cannot get rid of them! And we wonder why there is so much autoimmune, cancer, Parkinson's, fatigue, a disruption to our endocrine and hormonal
Issues.
Can we petition for them to not spray?

Once again I applaud Caltrans efforts for trying to meet both sides in the middle. Fact is Caltrans has 10's of thousands of lane miles of highway to manage, and you just cant pull that many weeds. They have been spraying them since the 60's at least. Pretty good safety record as far as fires started along a roadside from an ignition source (like your overheated VW bus) because they have a chemical control.

I think if LaHonda and Woodside residents want it done a certain way, they should pay to have it done themselves. How about that you guys, you ready to ante up the $ and pay to have the weed pulling, goat nibbling or other hocus pocus done to protect your 8' of road side? Time to put your proverbial shekels where your gums flap. I thought not.

We used to have nonprofit volunteers and actual inmates or those who were given a sentence by a judge to weed our highways.
There are other solutions besides poison.
With our unemployment at high levels, I cannot see why our county cannot pay some of our unemployed to weed vs giving them unemployment or welfare.

member:

our unemployment levels are decidedly NOT at high levels. Welcome to the real world.

Our state doesn't use prisoners to weed highways. Hasn't done so for decades. Some counties do, but in this case it's a state highway so county prisoners wouldn't be used.

Actually, inmates have been doing a tremendous job clearing Skyline Bld and Pagemill Road this year (and in years past). They work under the supervision of Cal Fire (I usually see a Ben Lomond truck with them).

I'd be very happy to pay extra to avoid chemical exposure. I think most residents would. If we finally raised the transportation tax on gas (which has been flat since at least 1993), perhaps Caltrans could afford to mow instead of spray. One representative at the meeting told me that Caltrans has HALF the employees it did in 1980.

Caltrans does respect other counties' bans on broadcast spraying, and they have curvy mountain roads, as well. I wish they would respect the ban our board of supervisors approved a few years ago.

I support all efforts to end broadcast spraying of toxins, period. Our land, our ocean, our blood all need a break from persistent heavy metals used in pesticides and herbicides, period, end of story, no debate. Dear CalTrans, please stop. Whether to use electric weedwackers powered by solar energy vs gasoline powered weedwackers is a much more acceptable "meeting in the middle" to me. This is basic chemistry folks.

The use of these poisons to control weeds is unnecessary and damages the ecosystem and puts people, pets and wildlife at risk. I've been trying to get our community (homeowners association) to stop using chemical pesticides and herbicides where I live and have gotten absolutely nowhere, because it seems that most people would rather have these poisons being spread than deal with weeds, snails, spiders and rodents in a responsible matter. It doesn't help that companies like ORKIN tell those who use their services and products that the chemicals they apply are "safe." They not only convinced our homeowners association that it was perfectly safe for the environment to use poisoned rat bait stations, but ORKIN also spread toxic granules (bifenthrin) to kill spiders and ants all around the community. And then we have landscapers applying Round-up (Glyphosate) and poisonous snail bait (Metaldehyde). Why? Because companies like Monsanto and Bayer Pesticide are profitable and are good at selling their chemicals to municipalities and even homeowners who don't do their homework or seem to understand the health risks associated with these dangerous chemicals. Caltrans needs to stop the spraying. There really ought to be a law prohibiting the use of these toxic chemicals.

This insanity must stop! I completely support a ban on the broadcast spraying of toxic pesticides and herbicides where other alternatives are possible.

As an older adult with a compromised immune system, I strongly urge Caltrans and all parks departments to stop using pesticides. These toxins leach into our waterways and contaminate the ground, plants and trees, and all life forms. All to get rid of weeds and insects, most of which are beneficial to us in so many ways. We have upset the balance so greatly, and I believe this is why so many of us are ill and compromised. Why not use the side mowers Caltrans has in more locations? Sixty years ago we weren't so sick because of our own stupidity, and recently woke up to ban DDT and other harmful toxins. Let's save the next generations and our earth, please!

I support the elimination of topics that run forever. Time to end this. SOS over and over and over. Give me a break

SteveC, I just can't agree more! How can a topic as trivial as poisons in our water and soil captivate people for 48 whole hours! Can't they move on to something a bit more Kardashian or Trump? They just drone on and on about pesticide-induced illnesses, toxic wells, carcinogens and insincere government agencies. So, so, so yesterday.

You and I are more clever, though. By not commenting, we'll help this one die like a glyphosate-laden weed in drainage culvert...