Illegal Pesticide Use is Poisoning the St. Croix Riverway — And the County is Looking the Other Way

The St. Croix National Scenic Riverway is one of the most treasured natural corridors in the upper Midwest. But right now, neighbors along its banks are spraying triclopyr to control buckthorn — and St. Croix County is doing nothing about it. Triclopyr is sold under brand names like Garlon 3A and Garlon 4. It may seem like a reasonable solution to an invasive plant problem. It is not legal here. Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 118.06(6)(b)3 is clear: within the Lower St. Croix Riverway, herbicide use is limited to direct topical application to cut stems only. Broad spraying is flatly prohibited. St. Croix County is legally responsible for enforc...