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Board hears concerns about railroad herbicide spraying near Sawyer Pond; requests narrower spray zone
Summary
The board reviewed a right-of-way vegetation-control notice from a railroad company listing herbicides to be used and discussed asking the company to limit spraying near local ponds and fishing areas.
At its June 10 meeting the Hubbardston Board of Health reviewed a May 23 right-of-way vegetation-control notice from a railroad company and discussed vegetation cutting and herbicide application near ponds used for fishing.
Sanitarian Nancy read the notice describing planned vegetation control by the railroad company identified in the notice and noted the company will use several products, including an aquatic product the sanitarian described as containing glyphosate (Aqua Nique) as well as products named OpenSite and Patriot. Board members and attendees raised concerns about proximity of spraying to a nearby pond identified on the map as Sawyer Pond (also referenced locally as Bents Pond) and asked staff to request a reduced spray zone and clarify what “limited spray zone” means on the company’s map.
Board members discussed that vegetation-clearing is necessary near tracks to prevent derailment risk, but asked that the railroad narrow any spray footprint closest to ponds and other sensitive water features. Nancy said the notice classifies areas between 100 and 400 feet from a Class A surface water source as “limited spray areas,” and the board asked staff to seek more precise distance information and ask that spraying be restricted as close to the track as feasible in sections near Sawyer Pond.
The board did not take a formal regulatory enforcement action at the meeting but agreed to follow up with the railroad and to request greater detail about spray distances and the specific chemicals to be applied.
