Stop the harmful use of tebuthiuron in Taos County
The Issue
Living in Taos, I have come to appreciate the unique beauty and ecological importance of our land. But now, this precious environment is under threat. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Taos Field Office, in collaboration with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, plans to apply tebuthiuron, a soil-activated herbicide, to about 2,929 acres of public land in northern Taos County. This action, involving the aerial dropping of herbicide pellets onto dense brush, is a practice we must urgently question.
Tebuthiuron specifically targets sagebrush by inhibiting photosynthesis, which may sound like a controlled solution, but the broad-spectrum impact of this herbicide can lead to unintended and severe environmental consequences. Our local flora, including non-target species, could be irreparably harmed, disturbing the complex ecosystems that many wildlife species depend on.
Furthermore, community health stands to be affected. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to tebuthiuron may have adverse effects on humans and animals, which poses a risk to the residents living nearby who cherish and rely on these lands for recreation and cultural practices. The possibility of contamination of our groundwater is also a concern, as the pellets can leach into the soil and disrupt aquifers that supply our drinking water.
While addressing overgrowth and fire risks is essential, the adoption of safer, more sustainable land management practices is possible. Prioritizing mechanical clearing or controlled burns, involving local restoration ecologists in decision-making, and increasing public consultations can ensure a balanced approach that safeguards our habitat and health.
We cannot allow an indiscriminate solution that jeopardizes our environment and well-being. I urge BLM and the U.S. Wildland Fire Service to re-evaluate the use of tebuthiuron in this operation and seek alternative, eco-friendlier strategies.
Please join me in urging the BLM to reconsider their methods by signing this petition. Together, we can protect Taos County's land and ensure a healthier environment for generations to come.
374
The Issue
Living in Taos, I have come to appreciate the unique beauty and ecological importance of our land. But now, this precious environment is under threat. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Taos Field Office, in collaboration with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, plans to apply tebuthiuron, a soil-activated herbicide, to about 2,929 acres of public land in northern Taos County. This action, involving the aerial dropping of herbicide pellets onto dense brush, is a practice we must urgently question.
Tebuthiuron specifically targets sagebrush by inhibiting photosynthesis, which may sound like a controlled solution, but the broad-spectrum impact of this herbicide can lead to unintended and severe environmental consequences. Our local flora, including non-target species, could be irreparably harmed, disturbing the complex ecosystems that many wildlife species depend on.
Furthermore, community health stands to be affected. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to tebuthiuron may have adverse effects on humans and animals, which poses a risk to the residents living nearby who cherish and rely on these lands for recreation and cultural practices. The possibility of contamination of our groundwater is also a concern, as the pellets can leach into the soil and disrupt aquifers that supply our drinking water.
While addressing overgrowth and fire risks is essential, the adoption of safer, more sustainable land management practices is possible. Prioritizing mechanical clearing or controlled burns, involving local restoration ecologists in decision-making, and increasing public consultations can ensure a balanced approach that safeguards our habitat and health.
We cannot allow an indiscriminate solution that jeopardizes our environment and well-being. I urge BLM and the U.S. Wildland Fire Service to re-evaluate the use of tebuthiuron in this operation and seek alternative, eco-friendlier strategies.
Please join me in urging the BLM to reconsider their methods by signing this petition. Together, we can protect Taos County's land and ensure a healthier environment for generations to come.
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Petition created on October 28, 2026