For many of us who live and play on the East Hill in Eau Claire, Forest Hill Cemetery acts as a recreational ground. It is where we teach our children to ride bikes, where we take strolls, where the high school cross country team practices. It is where we walk our dogs, camp out to watch the 4th of July fireworks and explore the woods. Not but 20 feet away from this public space lies dozens of houses where people garden and children play. Forest Hill Cemetery is a valued part of our neighborhood and something that we take great pride in.

Pesticides such as 2-4D and Round-up have been sprayed in the cemetery on an annual basis for many years to help control dandelions and other plants considered weeds. These pesticides, though considered 'safe,' by the EPA, have been heavily researched and found to contribute to many debilitating diseases and defects. According to research published in 1993 in "Journal of Environmental Health Perspectives" and 1999 in the "Journal of Pesticide Reform," 2-4 D is found to disrupt the endocrine system and contribute to breast and testicular cancer, birth defects and learning problems. Several similar publications have linked excessive exposure to this chemical to non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and have showed 2-4D to cause forced abortions in laboratory animals. The chemical 2-4D makes up a majority of the toxic nerve gas "Agent Orange," which led to debilitating illnesses following the Vietnam War. For these and many other reasons the use of 2-4D has been outlawed in Europe and Canada. We believe that a chemical capable of such debilitating illnesses has no place being sprayed in a neighborhood setting.

Similarly, research conducted by Dr. Don Huber at Purdue University has found that excessive use of Round-up increases toxic mold and various pathogens in the plants being treated. Animal contact with these plants has been proven to lead to animal infertility.

We value the environmental health of our neighborhood and applaud the city for allowing out parks and playgrounds in the neighborhood to remain pesticide free. We ask that Forest Hill Cemetery receive the same treatment as we utilize the space in the same manner as a public park. If given the opportunity, we would be happy to work with area experts and officials to find an environmentally friendly alternative for dealing with invasive weeds that does not involve poisoning our air, homes and children.

We thank you very much for taking the time to read this and consider our voices.