TOWN OF MANCHESTER, VERMONT
CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES
Commissioners Present: Alan Benoit (Chair), Carl Bucholt, Michael Cooperman, Dee Myrvang. Absent: Leslie Burg.
Staff Present: Planning & Zoning Director Janet Hurley.
Others Present: Chris Anderson, Carol Berry, Ron Dundon, Anne D'Olivo.
Benoit called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
Minutes from the January 27, 2020, meeting were approved by unanimous consent.
Restricting Pesticides: Gyphosate & Neonicitinoids. Benoit asked for additional discussion or information. He summarized where the discussion ended last month. Bucholt indicated that Anderson, Berry, and Dundon are members of Transition Town Manchester, have been studying glyphosate, and have some material to present. Berry gave an overview about long-held concerns over broadcasting pesticides into the environment with little information about their effects. Sixty years ago Rachel Carson in Silent Spring warned about effects of DDT application. Now a whole host of new pesticides, including glyphosate, are being applied throughout our environment. Glyphosate residues are found throughout our foods, bodies, and built environment. Berry asserted there is reason to question what its effects are. In 2015 Glyphosate was classified as a probable human carcinogen. Since then communities have begun to restrict or ban its use.
Anderson then gave an overview of the history of glyphosate classification. Glyphosate was originally patented as a descaling and chelating agent for plumbing systems in 1961. In 1970 it was patented as an herbicide by Monsanto. In 1974 Monsanto released Roundup as a product. Roundup application makes genetically engineered crop plants resistant to glyphosate. In 2010 glyphosate was patented as an antibiotic. Thus glyphosate can kill microbes (mycorrhizal fungus and bacteria) in the soil, leading to "dead" soil. Berry advocated that the Town of Manchester not use glyphosate based herbicides (GBHs) on town properties or rights-of-way. Dundon asked that the commission find out what the town is using as a starting point.
Dundon argued we are participating in a public health experiment. He suggested that there are correlative links to increased incidences of food allergies (50%), asthma (10%), dermatitis (18%), GERD (8-10%), Colitis (10%), Type 2 diabetes (45%), autism, ADHD, and premature births with the increased use of GBHs. An Indianapolis study found 90% of pregnant women showed GBHs in their urine. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now appearing in children, and a causative linkage between GBH and NAFLD has been found by one researcher.
Berry described the contents of a packet that she passed out to commissioners, including a Wellesley, MA, policy that could be a model for Manchester. D'Olivo added that there are now hundreds of toxins found in our bodies. Bucholt addressed Cooperman's contention that use of glyphosate is legal. Bucholt contended that it is legal because of collusion between Monsanto and government regulatory agencies. Some original studies showed a linkage between glyphosate and cancer and the results were hidden as trade secret. Bucholt concluded just because it is legal doesn't make it right. Commissioners will devote time at the next meeting to follow up on discovering the extent of GBH use by the town.
2020 Work Plan. Benoit asked commissioners to consider what the commission should work on in the year ahead. He asked that commissioners come to the next meeting with lists of work projects. Bucholt suggested commissioners consider the Conservation Commission charter too. Discussion about the Riverwalk and other planning priorities that are stymied by the state Rivers Program. Cooperman suggested inviting Riverwalk to present at a future meeting, followed by a letter advocating the state Rivers Program support such projects. Hurley suggested that the Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions (AVCC) would make a bigger impression at state level than the Manchester Conservation Commission alone.
Preferred Site Designation Update. Hurley provided an update on the preferred site status request for the Richville Road solar project. After three contentious meetings the Planning Commission voted 3-2 to confer the status to the site. The Selectboard will need to ratify or reject this designation, but will not take up the question until after Town Meeting. Second Energy Plan hearing March 24.
Other Business. No other business was presented. The next meeting of the commission/committee will be March 16, 2020. Bucholt may not be available. Bucholt motioned to adjourn. Myrvang seconded the motion. The Motion carried at 8:18 p.m. 4-0-0.
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For the Conservation Commission/Energy Committee Date