Dear Editor:
Now that Washington College is about to break ground on its newest building to house its environmental science department, let this letter be a challenge to the institution to put its money where its mouth is. If the study of environmental science merits new construction, does it not also merit environmental stewardship?
It’s time for Washington College to stop its excessive use of herbicides. I watched from my home on Monday morning as a worker from the college showered herbicide on the embankment along Philosopher’s Terrace (the site behind the new building). The sprayer was powered by a generator to enable a more thorough application or dousing, depending on your view. Later that day, the glowing swath of buttercups that grew along hillside were shriveled and dead, along with the dandelions, of course. Tomorrow’s rain will carry the killing chemicals down the street on into the river. Note that this location is just one of many college-owned green spaces that were being prepared for graduation in a similar manner.
No doubt the Washington College campus is beautiful and well maintained, but at what cost? Better solutions exist. Ask the department of Environmental Science and Studies.
Annie Power
Chestertown
alf says
well said.
Jeanette Sherbondy says
Editor,
I am saddened to hear about this. Every year I have enjoyed that glorious field of buttercups!
I know groups of Washington College students have been working for years now to make the campus greener and healthier. We have faculty who research the dangers of widely used toxins: the Creegan Chair in Green Chemistry, courses in chemistry and the environment, and the Center for Environment and Society are examples.
The College administration needs to commit to safe landscaping policies on all their properties. They need to require their contracted landscapers not to use poisonous herbicides that cause so many diseases and disabilities, including learning disabilities.
We want the College campus to be a thing of beauty and a non-toxic environment. It is, after all, in the heart of Chestertown.
As a Washington College emerita professor and neighbor, I call on the College community to take notice and call for an end to dangerous environmental practices.
Deirdre LaMotte says
Editor,
So true. A few weeks ago I took my dog to the dog park, which I’ve enjoyed daily, only to find the Sharp lawn people not only mowing but a man spraying Round-up around every tree inside and out of the fence. In addition, he was spraying the entire inside perimeter of the enclosure.
I was shocked as this spray can cause severe problems in dogs. I asked why no sign was posted to warn dog owners to keep dogs away, at least for a few days.
He replied that they “don’t do that”. Unbelievable. Then, as I drove home down Washington Avenue I saw a man in front of Minta Martin spraying chemicals over the entire lawn……
Pete Buxtun says
Editor,
Particularly alarming are the “inert” ingredients in roundup and its counterparts. If you want to be more worried about what you’re walking on, read some of the findings here in Scientific American.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/weed-whacking-herbicide-p/
I’m pretty sure you do not have to post a warning if you spray roundup in MD, but many other pesticides (all herbicides are pesticides) require that notification be posted. Regardless, it is ethically suspect if lawns and property frequented by children and pets (especially if the property is public) are sprayed without notification.