Assembly of Delegates Adopts Resolution Opposing Eversource Herbicide Spraying
Information from Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates
November 3, 2022 (Barnstable, MA) – The Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates unanimously adopted a resolution at its November 2, 2022 meeting opposing Eversource Energy’s proposed power line vegetation management plan for 2023-2027. The Resolution was submitted by Assembly Speaker Patrick Princi of Barnstable, Deputy Speaker Mary Chaffee of Brewster, and Provincetown Delegate Dr. Brian O’Malley.
The Resolution states in part, “the Assembly finds the Eversource Five Year Vegetation Management Plan to be fundamentally flawed and vigorously opposes the granting of pesticide spray authority by Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources to Eversource Energy. The Assembly urges the identification and use of vegetation management strategies that are not a threat to Cape Cod’s fragile ecological balance.”
Eversource Energy distributes electricity across Cape Cod via power lines and must manage vegetation underneath the lines. Eversource has used glyphosate (sold as Roundup) and other chemical herbicides, as well as mowing, to manage its vegetation. The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is tasked with approving Eversource’s vegetation management plans and has invited public comment on the draft plan.
MDAR is accepting public comments through Monday November 7, 2022 on the draft VMP; comments should be sent to:
Rights-of-Way Program
Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources
251 Turnpike Road
Southborough, MA 01772
MDAR is also hosting a public hearing on the draft VMP via Zoom:
Time: November 3, 2022, 11:00am-12:00pm
Meeting ID: 854 2364 7314
Passcode: 190512
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpdequqjwpG9AVRqHO4d7yN0Ywty08ReEZ
About the Assembly of Delegates: The Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates is the legislative branch of County Government. As the County’s law-making body, the Assembly’s work takes the form of ordinances and resolutions which may be initiated by Delegates, Assembly committees, the Board of Regional Commissioners or by an initiative petition. The Assembly of Delegates appropriates the County’s annual operating and capital budgets as well as supplemental requests.
About Barnstable County Regional Government of Cape Cod: Barnstable County provides exemplary government functions and services to keep our community healthy and safe, promote sustainable growth, and offer a proactive, open government that enhances the quality of life for the citizens of Barnstable County. Learn more at www.capecod.gov
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