City response to Weyerhaeuser spray notification
POSTED ON: JULY 16, 2024 – 7:29AM
In accordance with the spray notification (NOAP 2024-553-09358) the City of Waldport has been informed that Weyerhaeuser intends to spray the recently logged ‘Pankey Pit’ area. Significant concern has been expressed by citizens regarding the city’s water supply in that area. The city has been in contact with the parties involved, and has confirmed that this will be a ground application (backpack) spray.
All activity which affects the city water supply is taken very seriously. In looking at our intakes, only the North Weist Creek intake is near the affected area. While it is several hundred feet from the area of spray concern, we have formulated a plan out of an abundance of caution.
The City will:
- Shut down the affected intake for 72 hours as the spray is taking place.
- Do additional water quality tests to determine if any increased contaminates exist.
- Be onsite to observe and monitor the spray in that immediate area.
We do not anticipate or expect any contamination. Trained city staff will be on site and monitoring, but only a very narrow portion of the logged area falls into the watershed above our intake – their mapping shows a significant buffer zone. Trust but verify will be the plan of the day.
While the spray issue is a very sensitive concern to many in the state, the city takes a neutral stance on the politics of the issue, and simply strives to ensure a clean drinking water supply to its citizens. The city is also engaged in a long term plan of action which will hopefully preclude concerns regarding this issue in the future.
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