Railroad officials say it needs to use the chemicals to clear weeds and brush away from the tracks to ensure safety. The Federal Railroad Administration, which regulates the state-owned rail carrier, has said it will impose fines and operational restrictions -- reducing speeds or emergency closures of some sections of track -- if the tracks aren't cleared.
The railroad has tried for years to get permission to use herbicides along its tracks with little success. Opponents have always argued that using the chemicals poses too great a risk of contamination for fish, animals and people.
This time, the railroad proposes using a chemical called glyphosate. Ernie Piper, the carrier's vice president and chief operating officer, as described the substance as "the most benign" of herbicides and says it is dangerous only to plants. Piper said the railroad has used non-chemical means of killing weeds but that isn't adequate.
The state environmental agency is holding a hearing today in Seward and another Wednesday in Anchorage. Both begin at 4 p.m. and continue until 6:30 p.m.
The Seward hearing is at the Seward Marine Center, RM Rae Education Building, 125 Third Ave. The Anchorage hearing will be at the Anchorage Marriott Downtown at 820 W. Seventh Ave.
Written comments are accepted until Sept. 15. They should be mailed to Stephanie Stewart, ADEC Pesticide Program, 555 Cordova St., Anchorage 99501, or e-mailed to Stephanie.Stewart@alaska.gov.
For more information, go to http://www.dec.state.ak.us/public_notices. htm or to the railroad's Web site -- http://www.akrr.com/ -- and click on the "Vegetation Management" link.
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