permaculture

["Scott Hitchins" <ScottH@wcig.org.au>]

Scott Hitchins
scotth@wcig.org.au

It sounds like they are probably using, amongst other things, glyphosate 
('Zero','Round-up',etc).  While this in itself is very low in residuals, 
don't forget to research any carrier chemicals used with it; usually a 
surfactant (i.e. detergent) which studies have shown to have some bad 
side-effects, especially on amphibians. While on this subject, I hear that 
the U.S. is imposing bans on its use, while here in Australia, even though 
authoritive studies have been done (NSW Dept. of Agriculture, I think.), 
nothing appears to be happening.  I'd be interested in pointers to any papers 
written or any reasons given by authorities for its banning in the U.S.: I'm 
having an on-going paper-fight with my local council who are spraying it 
around like there's no tomorrow (which may well be the case).

back to your case, Elijah: have you considered using natural rainfall to 
flush through the soil to drainage / holding ditches which are heavily 
planted with 'remedial' water plants such as Phragmites sp. and Typha sp.  
Again, this would depend on what had been sprayed.

This is my favourite Planet,
Scott.


    -----Original Message-----
From: Elijah Smith [mailto:elijah@hilobay.com]
Sent: Monday, 13 May 2002 1:34 PM
To: permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: [permaculture] How long before ag land is safe?


We've been eyeing some land in Hawaii that's currently 15 acres of solid,
chemically grown, monocropped papaya.  It's cheap, has an incredible
location, and is surrounded by tall windbreaks and some avocados, coconuts,
etc.  It's mostly surrounded by more papaya fields.  The current leasors are
described as "conscious, but chemical users" and indeed, though they
obviously spray some of the field, they mow a good deal of the grass in
between the rows.

They've got the lease for another year and a half, which might give us time
to start a bunch of trees, etc.  Our question is - how long before it's
"safe" to move in and live on that land?  One guy told us 3 years, which
seems excessive - is it?  How about eating food off the land - wait longer
for that?  And do any of you have any pointers to information about
accelerating the remediation process (beyond nitrogen fixers and dynamic
accumulators) in this sort of situation?

Any comments or pointers to information would be appreciated... Thanks much
in advance!

 Elijah

_______________________________________________
permaculture mailing list
permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org
http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/permaculture