Controversial Glyphosate Use Proposed for Caldor Fire Reforestation
The U.S. Forest Service has unveiled a reforestation plan for the vast areas affected by the Caldor Fire. This plan includes the potential application of herbicides, including the widely debated glyphosate, to manage competing vegetation that might impede the growth of new trees. The use of glyphosate has sparked significant debate due to its alleged health risks, including cancer.
As part of the proposal, trained personnel would apply herbicides using backpack sprayers, with aerial spraying strictly prohibited. Furthermore, several restrictions are in place, such as maintaining a 100-foot buffer from water bodies and avoiding application before heavy rain predictions.
The forest service assures that any glyphosate entering water systems would remain within federal safety standards for drinking water.
Nevertheless, some community members express deep concerns regarding the transparency and potential health implications of the plan. Resident Abby Lichtman voiced her apprehension, stating, “There are no words to explain how against the spray I am and how freaked out I am by this. There’s study after study after study about the carcinogens in them. I made a formal complaint with the California EPA and I was basically just told to go ‘F’ myself that it’s not a problem unless you’re exposed.”
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Executive Director, Julie Regan, emphasized the need for collaboration before the project’s execution, despite TRPA not having a permitting role. “We’ve sent a formal letter to the forest service requesting coordination with TRPA, the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board, and others to protect the lake’s water quality. The purpose of our letter was to request a sit-down, a meeting before any site-specific implementation, including herbicide use in the project area, would occur,” she stated.
TRPA is also ramping up water quality monitoring, with new tests planned for glyphosate presence in areas downstream from the burn site.
The global scrutiny of glyphosate continues, with the World Health Organization labeling it as “probably carcinogenic to humans” in 2015. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers it unlikely to be carcinogenic when used as directed.
The forest service clarified that no herbicide use is scheduled for 2026 or 2027. Any herbicide application would only happen later in the reforestation process, where manual vegetation control is impossible. Signs would inform the public about treatment areas.
