One of the subjects that those who advocate native plant restoration are reluctant to discuss is herbicide use. While we only have information from EBRPD, it’s safe to say that UC has used vastly more in recent years in its hills vegetation management programs.

Here are the stats for EBRPD for 2008:

Claremont Herbicide Use 2008.pdf

Total EBRPD herbicide use-2008.pdf

You will note that EBRPD used in excess of 3,000 ounces of Garlon in Claremont Canyon and Anthony Chabot in 2008. This is an enormous amount of highly toxic material that ultimately makes its way into creeks and groundwater. We think that if the public were aware of this, any enthusiasm for large scale removal of “undesirable” vegetation would be significantly tempered.