On Wed, 28 Jun 1995, Edward Sterling wrote:
 
> Regarding Andy's comments on purple loosetrife EA etc.
>
> I am not professional in either beekeeping nor the environmental
> field, however it is my understanding that p.l. is VERY serious
> threat to the health of ponds and waterways. I am in fact a
> conservation commissioner here in Massachusetts, and I am quite
> familiar with wetland plants and wetland biology.
<etc.>
 
I got the impression from Andy's post that the measures proposed would
not control the plant particularly well - except for mechanical
approaches and that the idea of releasing bugs had not been very well
researched.
 
I don't think that there was any argument that in those specific places
where the plants are a problem that something could/should be done.  The
concern is that an extemely shotgun a pproach is being proposed that would
impact on areas where there are no problems with the plant and it is
indeed beneficial.  There is also the (justified) fear that there is risk of
releasing agents that might not be specific to the problem.
 
That's what I got anyhow.
 
Allen
 
W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper                        VE6CFK
Rural Route One   Swalwell   Alberta   Canada  T0M 1Y0
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Futures, Art & Honey:http://www.cuug.ab.ca:8001/~dicka