On Monday, March 28th, the Army Corps of Engineers applied herbicide to a number of planting beds in the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Gardens at Chittenden Locks.

Three applications lasting one hour each at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and noon were
made and signs were placed at the entrance to the Locks indicating "several plant beds" were sprayed. As an extra precaution small yellow herbicide
application warning signs were placed on the edges of the planting beds where herbicide was applied.

A few residents had expressed concern regarding the use of herbicide in such a well-visited area and its proximity to water but the U.S. Corps of Engineers assures that "the application fully conformed with the Washington State
Department of Agriculture guidelines and the legal binding label on the
herbicide," according to Andrea Takash, Public Affairs Specialist.

The herbicide used was Trailblazer MAXX which contains Glyphosate. According Takash, "Trailblazer MAXX is not dangerous to humans or animals, unless freshly sprayed weeds are ingested or skin comes into contact with the spray solution or wet solution on foliage. People and pets and not allowed in planting beds."

The applications were made as part of an Integrated Pest Management Program to control or eradicate weeds. The botanical garden is plagued by English Ivy, a perennial invasive weed. The U.S. Corps of Engineers gardeners are treating the ivy by pulling it out by hand as well as chemical means.