Audubon Unit Raps DDT Spray Decision

A decisión by the City Council to switch from methoxychlor to DDT for spraying elm trees has brought an immediate protest from the Washtenaw Audubon Society. The council last night unanimously followed the recommendation of Parks Department Supt. Sheldon Sproull that t h e city change back to DDT. Last year tne council used methoxychlor because it was reportedly less toxic and therefore less harmful to birds. ín rece.it years the couicil ha been bombardea with protests irom citizens who clamed the use cf DDT was killingnundreds oi birds yearly. Spioull told the comcil that recorls show sprayingwith DDT bett?i protects the tres, stating that tie incidence Jf -aïsease w i t h the n e w cbmical had doublé. Although ne DDT is considrably less cctly, Sprouï said tls factor dl not entr into hislecision. "Our irinciple hterest is to preserve trees," Sproull said. He addei that altiough FDT is more tox? to birás, the danger 's reJativ.iy smiil because of Wie methoi used by the city in spraying. SprouU aso said that " o u r experience aas been when using toxic Chemicals that all birds in trouble are laid at our doorstep." He said that many lawn grajeáis used by private citizens are more toxic than those used by the city.
The council accepted the low bid of the Standard Oil Co. for the DDT at B03 cents per gallon.
The Audubon Society today said it "regrets the decision of the City Council to switch back to DDT instead of methoxychlor for Dutch el disease splay.”
The socie said it deputes the statements of Sproull, noting that “PT has been fund by governmental agencies ind private instigations to be a persistent rollem in the sol because itloes not break down, but buildsip Concentrations the more it is sed.'
"It als seem to us that one year is tot sufficient time to make ar realise assessment of the effect of lethoxychlor.” the society said. 't also seems that beore ary ?vision was made, council should have been given complete rbort on this subject, so that an intelligent discussion Oudiave been made on this vial subject, and an informed council could have given the city f Anirbor an informed vote.'