Supreme Court Denies Injunction Request Against Railroad Herbicide Permit

Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage

The Alaska Supreme Court has denied a request for injunction against the Alaska Railroad’s herbicide spraying permit, clearing the way for the Railroad to begin using chemicals to kill weeds along their track right of way. The permit had been challenged by the Alaska Community Action on Toxics and the Native village of Eklutna citing fears about human health impacts, water contamination and overspray of berry-picking areas. Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Larry Hartig had amended the permit to disallow spraying within 200 feet of any water wells along the right of way. The court said the permit will stand as amended.

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