Get Involved!
Attend the Public Comment Period with the County Commissioners and Share Your Thoughts
The number of community members who engage on this topic is going to be THE determining factor in how seriously the County reconsiders its pesticide use practices.
The Boulder County Commissioners will vote to approve, modify, or deny the proposed weed management plan on Thur., May 23rd - please make your voice heard by emailing them at commissioners@bouldercounty.gov
SOSVV’s Objectives:
Save Our St. Vrain Valley (SOSVV) is committed to advocating for more responsible and environmentally friendly weed management practices in Boulder County's open spaces. Our primary objectives are:
Reduction in Herbicide Use: We are deeply concerned about the extensive use of controversial herbicides like 2,4-D, Dicamba, Glyphosate, and Indaziflam. While these chemicals are currently utilized to control noxious weeds, we believe their environmental and health impacts necessitate a reevaluation of their use.
Exploring Alternative Methods: We recognize that Boulder County is not legally mandated to use herbicides for managing noxious weeds. Therefore, we advocate for exploring and implementing alternative, less harmful weed management methods. This includes physical removal, biological control, and other non-chemical approaches.
Enhanced Public Education and Research: For List C species, as outlined by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, we encourage Boulder County to prioritize education, research, and the development of integrated weed management strategies that do not rely on herbicides.
Transparency and Community Involvement: We seek greater transparency in the County's weed management decisions and practices. Engaging the community in these decisions, especially those directly affected by herbicide spraying, is crucial.
Comprehensive Review of Current Practices: We urge Boulder County to conduct a thorough review of its current weed management practices, considering the latest scientific research and the potential risks associated with herbicide use.
If You See Something (Dust or Particulate Matter), PLEASE Say Something!
As we continue to wait on CDPHE’s response to our requested modifications in CEMEX’s Title V permit, we need more evidence that the decades-long problems regarding the plant’s inability to prevent fugitive dust events is continuing despite the significant financial penalty recently levied.
What Kind of Evidence? Photos, videos, and even a simple written log of any witnessed dust events would be immensely helpful. We just need the date of the incident, the time you saw it, how long you observed it (it’s totally fine if it was a quick look as you drove by), and anything you can note about wind speed, wind direction, or any other details of note.
Who Should You Notify? You can email anything you see to info@goodneighborslyons.com; Good Neighbors of Lyons will share what you saw with the appropriate County and State departments.
Why is This Important? Because we want CHANGE. Fines have proven to be ineffective in securing CEMEX’s compliance. Widespread community documentation will send a very needed message to the state that the problems are continuing and we need meaningful changes to improve the plant’s compliance. Also, it is community documentation of these dust events that played a very significant role in CEMEX’s recent $1.39M fine.
What Kind of Dust/Particulate Matter Are We Looking For? Here is a link to some photos of previously documented fugitive dust incidents. On windy days we often see dust originating from the stockpiles behind the plant blowing off property - these are particularly important to document as that is more than likely Cement Kiln Dust (CKD) that is blowing, which is highly toxic. There are also often dust clouds/particulate matter that originate from the plant itself during business activities like off loading the sweeper or loading the lime silo that appear more like a foggy haze. If you happen to be near the plant during golden hour, the light often catches all the particulate matter hanging in the air, which is very helpful to document as well. But when in doubt, please just send it in anyway. Everything helps.
Subscribe to emails from us and our friends, Good Neighbors of Lyons, so you’re always in the loop when we need your voice!
SOSVV’s Objectives:
Built in 1969, the CEMEX Lyons plant has been largely permitted with (grandfathered) 1960s air quality standards. In short, we want to modernize what is expected of CEMEX. CEMEX’s Title V (Air Quality) Operating Permit covers:
How CEMEX’s emissions are being monitored (which is currently sporadic at best, and often self-reported),
What compliance standards they are held to (which currently allows for very generous emissions, and also includes many ambiguities that create loopholes for non-compliance), and
Consequences for non-compliance (which has historically NOT been prescriptive; this has essentially allowed CEMEX to pay to pollute without ever correcting root causes for violations).
We advocate for the environmental protection and conservation of the geologically unique and historic Saint Vrain Valley and its healthy development for residents, wildlife, visitors, and future generations.
Volunteer
We need help with a variety of activities, such as community outreach and engagement, fundraising, and research. Are you able to volunteer a few hours a month to SOSVV?
Donate
Your support of SOSVV’s relentless work to protect and preserve the St. Vrain Valley–the least developed river valley in the Front Range–is the key to reaching our goals.
Awareness
Help spread the word!
SOSVV Yard Signs and T-Shirts are available for a suggested donation is $25 each (more is welcome!)
100% of the proceeds go toward direct costs for our work (printing, mailings, legal counsel, etc.).
Each sign measures 18” x 24” with a ground stake.
Get yours at:
- The Mountain Fountain in Hygiene (17th & 75th),
- Redstone Liquor in Lyons (138 Main St.), or
- Cheese Importers in Longmont (103 Main St.).
Media
Local news publications make a huge difference in getting people involved. Are we working on something important to you? Please consider writing a Letter to the Editor!
Daily Camera (300-word limit; full policies here): openforum@dailycamera.com
brennanc@dailycamera.com
Redstone Review (contact about policy): sdcmc@infionline.net
Times-Call (300-word limit; full policies here): opinion@times-call.com
Boulder Weekly (400-word limit, full policies here): editorial@boulderweekly.com