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Arborist says Housatonic Railroad not complying with herbicide rules; group to press DOT
Summary
Bruce BenneP told the Commission that Housatonic Railroad has not provided maps of no-spray critical areas and is using a six-chemical mix including 'methyl 240' that he flagged as a threat to water tables; the Housatonic River Working Group has notified rail contractors and will ask DOT to act.
At the meeting Bruce BenneP reported that the Housatonic Railroad Company is not in compliance with state regulations governing herbicide use for railroad vegetation management. BenneP said the company had not compiled maps delineating critical no-spray areas such as wetlands, watercourses, and wells. "According to BenneP, the Housatonic Railroad Company is using a 'cocktail' of 6 chemicals, including methyl 240 which is known to be a threat to water tables," the minutes record. The Housatonic River Working Group (HRWG) has notified Horn and Harding (contractors) about the concern; Horn and Harding agreed to contact the Department of Transportation, the agency the minutes identify as having jurisdiction over railroads in the State.
Ellery Sinclair said she will stay in communication with the HRWG regarding the issue. The minutes do not record a formal motion or vote; the record shows the group intends to press jurisdictional authorities and contractors to produce required maps and comply with State rules. The Commission did not take further direct action at this meeting but the report was entered into the record so local stakeholders and the HRWG can pursue follow-up with DOT and the rail contractors.
The minutes do not provide the chemical formulations beyond the term "methyl 240" or a complete list of the six chemicals. The Commission's record shows notification and referral steps (HRWG → Horn and Harding → DOT) but no enforcement action recorded at this meeting.
