Early last fall Karen Hare, a Fort Collins resident, came to a screening we held of “Living Downstream,” a documentary based on the book of the same title by Dr. Sandra Steingraber exploring the link between cancer and chemicals in the environment. Karen brought us her own documentary showing Davey Tree spraying her neighbor’s property and the effects the chemical drift, or toxic trespass, had on her. Karen is chemically sensitive. When exposed to certain chemicals she breaks out in awful skin conditions, feels like crap, and so on. We’ve got laws to protect people like Karen, though it’s not clear how functional they are in this case. Additionally, Karen claims she can’t safely eat any of the organically grown produce from her garden after they’ve been exposed to these chemical products.
In conjunction with our posting of Karen Hare’s “Toxic Trespass” video. Matter Daily reached out to Davey Tree and the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Unfortunately, Davey Tree did not return our email or multiple phone calls, but the Colorado Department of Agriculture was much more forthcoming.
John Scott, the Program Manager for the Pesticide program, could not comment specifically about Karen’s case since it is still open. He did, however, refer to the case as “in it’s final stages”. Whatever the results, Karen’s questions about this specific applicator and their use, or alleged misuse, of pesticides will soon be answered.
CALLING ALL MARMOTS, COYOTES, RATTLESNAKES, BLACK BEARS, AND BISON: It’s time for the FortZED Community Energy Challenge! Written by Charlie Malone Saturday, 2 October 2010
The FortZED Community Energy Challenge team unveiled their program to a public forum at New Belgium Brewery on September 13. The Community Energy Challenge brings together partners from the Atmosphere Conservancy, UniverCity Connections, The Community Foundation of Northern Colorado, Grass Commons, Toolbox Creative, The Bohemian Foundation, and the Downtown Development Authority to lay the important groundwork for the innovative and ambitious FortZED project aiming to turn much of Fort Collins into a Zero Energy District. The radical idea means a huge part of the city will generate as much energy as it uses. FortZED will be possible thanks to a $6.3 million RDSI grant from the Department of Energy and an additional $5 million in community support. Ideally, we’ll need no new power plants and no new coal extraction or burning will be needed to serve Fort Collins. Sustainability often loses meaning, but the groundbreaking FortZED project offers an unmuddled definition: only use what you make.
Local Homeowner’s Experience with “Toxic Trespass” Raises Questions About Our Ability To Learn. Written by Charlie Malone Monday, 27 September 2010
Rachel Carson first published Silent Spring on September 27, 1962, forty-eight years ago today. Carson’s book motivated many Americans to question the contents of pesticides, and the effects pollution has on the land we rely on. The importance of Carson’s book is undeniable, as are the effects of the chemicals like DDT she investigated. But now nearly fifty years later the effects of both seem to be wearing off.
Our recent media terror over bedbugs has led some to speculate that DDT decimated the bedbug population and only now are they coming back. I admit the idea of bedbugs is creepy, but they can’t carry diseases. The question now is how do we respond to pests. I know there are terrible chemicals out there to control these problems and I also know the field of Integrated Pest Management has come a long way. Both Terminex and Orkin offer environmentally friendlier extermination options than we would have found in 1962. They can freeze bedbugs with dry ice or cook them in superheated water. That sounds better than DDT. Still, not all of our industries are following the same trends.
At our September 12th screening of “Living Downstream”, a documentary based on Sandra Steingraber’s book by the same title investigating causes of cancer in our environment, Karen Hare came forward with her own heart-wrenching video “Toxic Trespass.” [Publisher’s note: In relation to citizen’s content on our website, such as Karen’s video, please read our disclaimer on our About page.]
From Civil War con-artistry to an icon of Free Speech, or to the bottom of Glade Reservoir, Haystack Rock catches people’s imagination—even at over sixty miles-per-hour. North of town on 287, the massive, square boulder bears witness to Fort Collin’s story. If we’re okay with this kind of personification, we might was well return the favor. Matter Daily is investigating the history, present, and future of Haystack Rock. Tell us your stories, memories, and opinions. We’ve heard of birthday wishes, and marriage proposals. We bet there is some geology at work here as well. What have you seen; what do you know? Email our Contributing Editor Charlie Malone (
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) if you have something to add to the narrative.
