Klamath National Forest
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Herbicide spraying poisons the air, land, water, wildlife and humans. In addition to polluting our public lands, the use of herbicides is expensive and ineffective. 

Negative impacts from toxic spraying could include direct, indirect and cumulative effects to the environment and human health. Soil productivity and water quality may be reduced to unsafe levels. Non-targeted vegetation and wildlife (terrestrial and aquatic) can suffer greatly from toxic dousing. Native peoples can be specifically exposed to risk during cultural plant gathering practices. Workers applying these hazardous chemicals can be particularly at risk. Recreationalists and other members of the public would also be at risk.

The causes of weed invasion include the use of off-road vehicles, road building, logging and livestock grazing–all of which disturb topsoil and allow invasive species to take over. Rather than reduce these activities as a method of weed control despite their obvious connection, federal agencies may apply poisonous chemicals to public lands.

KS Wild monitors proposals throughout the region for large-scale herbicide spraying. We are currently reviewing a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the BLM's proposed use of herbicides in seventeen western states.