Commonwealth Edison’s chemical spraying proposal on the DuPage County Bike Trail System that includes the destruction of 500 existing trees is unsafe, unwise and very unclear.
As a concerned citizen and user of both the Illinois Prairie Path and Great Western Trail, I wholeheartedly oppose ComEd’s plan.
I have submitted to the DuPage County Board a list of 33 questions that Commonwealth Edison should publicly answer before it endangers bike trail users, children and residents, along with wildlife and trees that have taken decades to grow.
We have seen enough deforestation in DuPage County with unending construction projects; let’s try and save some greenery in areas designated for scenic beauty and enjoyment, like bike trails.
In the meantime, ComEd’s reputation for butchering trees, disregard for public outcry and inability to control its vendors bring into serious question its ability to safely apply chemicals while preventing overspray, wind drift and exposure to wildlife, water, residents and children.
ComEd should continue its manual method of vegetation control in use for generations–at least until it proves it can do that job right.
