Mount Tamalpais in Marin County is public land that has redwood groves and oak woodlands and a spectacular view from a 2571-foot peak. It also has a problem that isn't going to go away.
Until August 2005, government scientists used the herbicide glyphosate, the chemical found in Roundup, to rid Mount Tam of French broom and other invasive shrubs that are a fire hazard and threaten native plants. But activists waged a campaign against herbicides and so they stopped and are now looking at plans because they have to either suffer through fires or spend 400% more money to not use herbicides, which is 600% more than their budget.
Janet Klein, the water district's vegetation expert, wants to use herbicides. Glyphosate used reasonably doesn't hurt water or the environment or people but activists are opposed. Yes, Marin County activists think Marin county politicians and scientists don't care about the environment.
They do, and they also care about people; 25,000 homes are at risk because activists won't get out there and clean the place and it magnifies the fire danger, but they will show up at meetings to insist safe herbicides are not safe.
Water district to wrestle with herbicide use on Mount Tam again By Mark Prado, Marin Independent Journal
