NB Power's 'no herbicide list' surprises spray opponents

NB Power has placed severalrural New Brunswick residentson what it terms a "no herbicide list."

The existence of an option to havepropertiesexempt from the herbicide spray programcomes as a surprise to some landownerswho have had issues with the utility's sprayingin the past.

"IfI had known about the list I would have been the first one on it," said Cheryl Webb.

Webb lives inWirral and herpropertyincludessections of transmission lines that NB Power sprayed with the herbicide Vision Max last year.

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"We didn't know," said Webb.

"I challenge anyone to walk up and down this road, go anywhere in Hoyt and ask people if they know anything about this list."

Webb says she and her husband did notknowabout the existence of the listuntil after theirproperty had been sprayed and after, they say,the chemicalVision Maxblew throughtheir bedroom window while they slept last year.

NB Power declined to beinterviewed about the existence of thelist, but spokeswoman Deborah Nobesprovided a statement through email.

"We have shared with CBC on many, many occasions that customers are encouraged to call us with concerns and questions so that we can respond tothem," said Nobes.

"Wetrack those concerns in many ways, including keeping lists.

"One of our options in responding to customer concerns about herbicide use is tonotspray on right of ways crossing properties with land use agreements, or on property where customers have self-identified as having specific concerns that can be accommodated.

"The use of this option is determined on a case-by-case basis, in consultation between the customer and the director of the program," wrote Nobes.

"The list you refer to is simply a good way to keep track of the customers who have identified their special requirements through contact with our agents and program managers."

None of the priorinformation NB Power provided CBC News about the herbicide spray programincluded details about a "no herbicide list."

NB Power did notmentionsuch alistas an option for property ownersduring coverage of complaints about the spray program by residents during the summer of 2015.

Jeff Carr, the New Maryland-Sunbury MLA, saidhisconstituents should take advantage of the exemption option if they have concerns about herbicidesprays.

"I'm not sure how long this list has been available," said Carr.

"But knowledge of it hasn't been widely educated or put out there and advertised to the communities."

Carr says he can understand the fears of those living the area given the history of sprays being used in the area in the past.

"Not too long ago Agent Orange became a huge issue in the area, in the very immediate area," said Carr.

"In Hoyt,Wirralareas, Geary, Fredericton Junction. So it struck a nerve and it struck a chord with the people in that area."

Carr said if it was his property in question hewould request placement on thelist.

The Crowncorporation has saida herbicide spray program is necessary to prevent widespread outages.

"We selectively spray herbicides on approximately 50per centof our rural right of ways, most of which is on Crown lands," Nobes wrote in a separate email.

In an emailtoNB Power CEO Gaetan Thomas that was obtained through the Right to Information Act,NB Power's director for environment and emergency planning Charles Hickam states:"We applyherbicides, terminals, microwave sites, andmost(not all)transmission rights-of way (we do not currently use herbicides on the International Power Line, but that is likely to change.)

NB Power has saidthe herbicide it uses is safe andhas been approved for use by federal and provincial regulators.

If you have more information on this story, please contactreporter Shane Fowler.