Public Lands Slated for Deforestation and Monsanto Herbicide Spray Ignites Community Outcry

By Carolanne Wright
Contributing Writer for Wake Up World

In a move that defies logic by authorities in the field, an area in Northern California, United States, has received federal funding to implement an “ environmentally catastrophic plan to eradicate Eucalyptus, Monterey Pine, and Acacia forests on the public lands and parks of the East Bay.” Beginning in August 2015, up to 400,000 trees will be clear-cut in the park district and the remaining stumps sprayed with toxic herbicides by Dow and Monsanto. The ultimate goal is to eliminate forests and transform the spaces into “grassland with islands of shrubs” in an attempt to reduce fire hazard. However, those who have experience with wildfire mitigation have come forward denouncing the plan, stating that fire risk will dramatically increase if officials continue down this destructive path.

The Six Million Dollar Bid to Destroy Natural Habitat

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is funding the proposal. In total, 105 distinct locations will be included, with over 2,000 acres of public land cleared — all of which fall under the management of the City of Oakland, UC Berkeley and the East Bay Regional Parks District.