The state is accepting public comments until Oct. 3 on renewing a statewide discharge permit for pesticide use.
Consequently, that permit will include the Haines Borough. But according to Lynn Canal Conservation president Eric Holle, the state has not used pesticides in the borough for years.
This issue differs from the use of herbicides; pesticides target insects while herbicides could be used against brush or invasive plants – such as along the Haines Highway.
After Oct. 3, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation will review those comments, possibly modify the new five-year draft permit and put it out again for another 30-day comment period before adopting a final version.
For more information, go to http://dec.alaska.gov/water/wwdp/index.htm.