Cape Organization Fighting Eversource’s Use of Herbicides

BARNSTABLE – A local activist is trying to bring several towns on the Cape together to take legal action against Eversource Energy.

Director of Protect Our Cape Cod Aquifer Laura Kelley recently met with officials in Brewster to discuss the company’s practice of using herbicides to clear vegetation under its rights-of-way.

“So they have sprayed for the last three years against every board of selectmen across the Cape,” Kelley said. “They have written documents against this and now the next step is going to court.”

Kelley says she has received positive responses from a few Cape towns.

“At the moment Brewster and the town of Orleans are very interested in learning more, asking questions, listening to answers and realizing they have the power to do this,” she said.

Protect Our Cape Cod Aquifer was founded in July of 2013 in response to the growing concerns about the Cape’s water quality. According to the organization, stopping Eversource’s herbicide spraying is its most pressing issue.

Kelley said that three property owners have already shown that a court case can be won.

“We went to the Superior Courthouse in Barnstable on October 1 with three abutters who were given exemptions from herbicidal applications,” she said. “So we believe this can be stopped in the court system.”

Eversource Energy said the practice has been approved by the state.

“Over and above what we are required to do, we use only herbicide that is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources for use in environmentally sensitive areas,” said Mike Durand, an Eversource spokesman. “Not only is this program considered to be best management practice for rights-of-way for maintaining electric service reliability, which is critical on transmission lines, but it is also seen as the best way to maintain low-growth foliage and ultimately discourage the growth of the tall invasive species.”

The state’s department of agricultural resources approved the company’s yearly operational plan regarding vegetation control.

Kelly said the data that claims the herbicides are not harmful is from 1978 and is outdated.

Kelley says mowing and hand pruning are effective ways Eversource could clear vegetation without herbicides.

“They can continue to do that successfully while protecting our electrical source,” Kelley said.

She said the organization will continue to educate towns across the Cape in hopes that they will join in the suit.

By BRIAN MERCHANT, CapeCod.com NewsCenter