Thanks for quoting me, EG.

Basically, I said that the City did NOT do its homework. I can understand their concern for making the canyon less prone to fire hazard, but they went about it badly--threatening hefty fines on individual homeowners if they did not remove the Arundo by a set deadline and recommending Round-up as the means to control the re-growth of the Arundo instead of taking the time and planning to hold community meetings and get all opinions as to the safest, healthiest way for fire prevention.

The homeowners of the canyon properties need to get together as a community organization as that will give you more clout in working with the city. If need be, you may need to hire an attorney. I'd recommend looking into the organization The Environmental Defense Fund to see if they can refer you to an environmental attorney who won't charge a fortune, or better yet, a mediator to work with your community group and the city representatives/fire department.

It is doubtful the Roundup will work long term. Arundo is a very hardy plant. If the roots are kept in the ground in order to prevent soil erosion as is recommended, and the guy is going around spraying the ground topically, I doubt the killer chemicals will seep far enough into the ground to kill the entire root system. It may kill some, but not all. Some of the Arundo will grow back anyway. Then what? Spray again?

With the coming of the rains, the RoundUP will run down the canyon with the flowing waters, polluting everything it comes into contact with. It makes me sick and it makes me sad. That canyon is a beautiful place, full of native plants and animals. Coyotes run through it. Quail and all manner of birds make their homes there. To think that it has been poisoned is abominable.

As for YOU, EG, STAY AWAY FROM THE ROUNDUP! I know you want to document the poisoning of the canyon, but it is not a good idea for you to be out there when the Roundup is being applied. Roundup is a biocide, it's sole purpose is TO KILL. It does not discriminate in what it kills or poisons, including humans. You are a sensitive soul. The energetics are not good. Please protect yourself as much as you can.

--Liora Leah Mother Earth Heals