2011 Herbicide Permits
In late January 2011, the Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC) submitted two herbicide use applications to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC). The permits approve application of herbicide to select areas within the 100-acre Anchorage Railyard, 100-acre Fairbanks Railyard, 45-acre Healy Railyard and approximately 20 miles of railroad track along the Suntrana, Fairbanks Airport and Eielson branch lines. The herbicide is AquaMaster® (EPA registration number 524-343 with a active ingredient glyphosate). This product requires an additive to help evenly spread the herbicide and the railroad proposes to use the surfactant Agri-Dex®. Treatment is summer months (depending on weather) beginning in 2011, through the duration of the permit. AquaMaster ® has the same active ingredient as Roundup and many other home use products and is approved for use on land as well as in and around water.
Both permits were approved in early May 2011, following a 60-day comment period (mid-January to mid-March, 2011) and public hearings (Anchorage and Fairbanks) in mid-February. No testimony was given by the public at either hearing. AquaMaster / Agri-Dex were applied by a licensed and experienced contractor in late June 2011.
Permit approvals
- Permit Approved by ADEC May 6, 2011 (Details in application - see links below)
- Permit Approved by ADEC May 6, 2011 (Details in application - see links below)
Permit notices and applications:
- Anchorage Railyard Herbicide Permit
- Fairbanks / Healy Railyard Herbicide Permit