SIERRA CLUB CALIFORNIA SUPPORTS MORATORIUM ON AERIAL SPRAYING DESIGNED TO ERADICATE THE LIGHT BROWN APPLE MOTH
Sierra Club California supports a precautionary moratorium on the aerial spraying designed to eradicate the Light Brown Apple Moth. The moratorium is necessary to allow for the assessment of control strategies that can effectively manage the pest to acceptable thresholds without compromising human and environmental health.
We call for the use of control strategies that avoid public exposure to pesticides that cause cancer, birth defects, mutations, or reproductive effects, or alter the immune system or behavior of non-target organisms. These strategies may include the use of nontoxic integrated pest management methods, including aerial application of pheromones in highly infested areas of significant size.
We call for the public disclosure of any and all ingredients to be sprayed and the informed consent of the residents affected by the spraying.
Sierra Club California supports the following measures pending in the State Legislature:
SCR 87 (Migden), which calls for a moratorium on the spraying until it can be proven safe and effective.
AB 2760 (Leno), which would require the completion of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) before aerial application of pesticides in urban areas for LBAM eradication. The EIR is the state tool for undertaking an alternatives assessment of impacts on human and environmental health.
· AB 2763 (Laird), which would require advance planning for the control of invasive species in a scientifically methodical and publicly transparent manner.
AB 2765 (Huffman), which would require disclosure of pesticide ingredients, examination of alternatives to aerial spraying, and a public hearing to consider all alternatives before eradication projects in urban areas could begin.
ACR 117 (Laird), which would require independent scientific review of the health and scientific questions about the LBAM spraying program.

Bill Magavern
Director
Sierra Club California
Bill Magavern email: Bill.Magavern@sierraclub.org

My Response:
As a resident of the San Francisco Bay Area, I do not support the aerial application of microencapsulate pheromones in an effort to eradicate the light brown apple moth. I plan to move out of the LBAM eradication areas. The microencapsulates cause breathing difficulties and can get lodged deep into one’s lungs. The American Lung Association is against any and all microencapsulate pheromones, toxic pesticides, and any and all toxic chemicals aerial and ground sprayed to eradicate any type of insects. My daughter, who has asthma and allergies, attends the University of California Santa Cruz. Last week, she met with her physician and he told her to not return to Santa Cruz once the LBAM spraying begins since it would make her asthma conditions worsen. She now has to return home with the hope of not being sprayed where we live and apply to other college outside the LBAM eradication areas.
Hopefully, the Sierra Club of California and the national Sierra club will oppose the policy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the California Department of Food and Agriculture in utilizing aerial application of microencapsulate pheromones in a effort to eradicate LBAM and support integrated pest management methods that do not utilize toxic chemicals to humans and the environment.

Get Educated, Get Involved, and Stop the Spray!

When we leave our homes, we will track the LBAM products into our homes on our shoes. So as a precaution, all of us will need to leave our shoes inside the garage, etc.

As for dogs that will need to relieve themselves there are two options: a relieving “station” set up in the garage and if that’s not possible, we will need to wash off our dog’s feet every time they relieve themselves outside. A friend of mine who is retired and lives in Santa Cruz has purchased a recreational vehicle and plans to take an extended vacation and she will be taking her dog with her. She is hoping that the LBAM Project will eventually be stopped when she can return home. However, for the majority of people they will not be able to escape the LBAM spray and this is why this insanity must be stopped by the loud drumbeat of our voices being as loud and clear as possible.

Tell everyone and anyone who will listen to you and ask for them to get involved to stop the spraying. It is unbelievable that a lot of people have not even heard about LBAM in the bay area.

I live in Fremont, where we will not be aerial sprayed, and the local newspaper has been silent on the LBAM problem. Many people I know here in Fremont I have had to inform them.

The only reason I am aware is that my daughter attends UC Santa Cruz (UCSC). UCSC’s upper campus, where my daughter lives and attends campus was not sprayed last fall, however, come June 1 the entire County of Santa Cruz will be. Henceforth, my daughter will be coming home to avoid the spray.

So, for everyone reading Vegan Reader, get involved, let our local, state, and federal officials know you do not want to be sprayed with pesticides. You can reach them by emailing, writing letters, attending City Council meetings, telephoning, volunteering, etc. We already know that pesticides cause short and long term health problems with all living things so the only answer is to Stop the Spraying.

I’d also like to know what Sierra Club suggests dog owners do to enable their dogs to relieve themselves? What a practical suggestion - just imagine ahome with 4 golden retrievers being forced to use the living room as their bathroom!

This is just insane.

And, should parents be keeping their children indoors for the next few years as well? Surely, youngsters are as important as pets, right?

Pet Safety & Pesticides
Many LBAM sprayed communities reported pets who became sick and even died from the LBAM pesticide spray. If your pets are outside pets, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has stated to keep your pets inside during the LBAM spraying. However, the Sierra Club has gone even further by stating to bring your pets inside permanently because the pesticides will be in their environment 24/7 for the next few years until the spraying is completed. Here is the Sierra Club document regarding the signs and symptoms of pet pesticide poisoning.

http://www.spec.bc.ca/pesticides/petsafe.pdf