To the editor:
And to Gov. Eric Holcomb:
I am attaching a series of photos showing the results of indiscriminate defoliant use by INDOT along our roadways. These photos are taken along Indiana 46 between Nashville and Bloomington, along 135 going from 46 south, and then along I-65 near the Franklin exit.
The indiscriminate use of defoliants is fundamentally senseless and destructive to our Hoosier environment.
The concerns are numerous, and I would like to visit with the governor on this matter, as my repeated emails to INDOT have borne no fruit. I have requested the specifics on the chemicals utilized, but to date, they have failed to respond. In the past I have raised similar concerns in Bartholomew County and learned that the chemicals utilized were fundamentally applied incorrectly.
Defoliants inherently create many risks when applied and even greater risks when missapplied. More often than not, they are groundwater contaminants, and if not applied properly directly, impact groundwater. All defoliants restrict application to ditch banks — and not ditch bottoms. Rest assured that application process is not being followed. The tractor shown in one of the photos was in the bottom of the ditch. It was also noteworthy that the tank on the back of the tractor was not labeled in any way.
Additionally, broad scale use of defoliants has a direct impact on pollinators. Pollinators are critical to our Hoosier agricultural economy and it is senseless to spray along the roadways. There are those who would defend this by saying that it is done to prevent the spread of invasives. When did Queen Anne’s Lace and goldenrod become invasives?
I ask Gov. Holcomb that he take a look at the side of the roads as he drives through Indiana and loosk at what is going on. Can he recall a time in his life where chemicals have been so irresponsibly utilized? He is old enough the remember the pitched discussions around the use of DDT here in our state and nation. We are in a similar time. It has become totally acceptable in our state to irresponsibly apply defoliants on a disturbingly broad scale by public entities. I am sure he is abundantly aware of the implications of the legal challenges the state may face if, in fact, some of these misapplied chemicals are groundwater contaminants. Perhaps, with his involvement, I will get an answer to my question to INDOT: Namely, “What are you spraying and why?”
Included in this series of photos is also what could grow along the roads if they were not sprayed — beautiful flowers which are native to our state. This would be particularly wonderful as you drive through Brown County and head into Nashville. In lieu of the “brown” resulting from the overuse of defoliants, you would see flowers — something tourists to this part of the state would appreciate.
I’m asking the governor to please look into this. There is no need to senselessly spray along our roadways.
Michael Greven, Columbus
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