Full Breakdown
Democratic Lawmakers Demand Transparency on Record Glyphosate Spraying by the U.S. Forest Service
6/10/2026, 8:39:00 PM
Record Glyphosate Spraying Triggers Congressional Inquiry
On June 4, 2026 Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Jared Huffman (D-CA) sent a letter to U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz requesting a detailed accounting of glyphosate-based herbicide use on federal forestlands. The request follows a Mother Jones investigation that documented record-level applications of glyphosate—particularly in California’s post-wildfire forests—and raised concerns about worker safety, environmental monitoring, and public transparency.
Background and Policy Context
Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, has been at the center of scientific and regulatory disputes for over a decade. The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as a “probable carcinogen” in 2015. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has warned that glyphosate likely harms 93 % of endangered species. A 2020 EPA safety review that found the chemical safe was overturned by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in 2022 for insufficient risk assessment. In 2025, former President Trump issued an executive order to raise timber sales by 25 % and, in 2026, called for expanded domestic glyphosate production. The Forest Service cites glyphosate as the least-cost option for accelerating conifer regeneration after fires to meet timber-sale targets.
Key Figures and Organizations
- Chellie Pingree, Representative (D-ME) – co-author of the congressional letter.
- Jared Huffman, Representative (D-CA) – co-author of the congressional letter.
- Tom Schultz, Chief, U.S. Forest Service.
- Bayer AG, manufacturer of Roundup.
- EPA, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
- IARC, International Agency for Research on Cancer.
- Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals – adjudicated the EPA review.
Data and Scale of Spraying
Mother Jones analyzed more than 5 million state pesticide records, finding that the Forest Service has sprayed glyphosate on hundreds of thousands of acres in California, the fastest-growing use area outside agriculture. Spraying on the El Dorado National Forest in 2021 left workers covered in the herbicide, without required protective gear or state-mandated training. Maps released by the agency later showed applications near the Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort a full year after treatment. The Service continues to rely on a 2011 risk assessment that cited a now-retracted study based on Monsanto data.
On-the-Ground Reports
County inspectors documented that crews applying glyphosate on the El Dorado National Forest were exposed directly to the chemical, contradicting agency safety protocols. Local residents in affected watersheds reported limited information about where and when spraying occurred.
Official Statements and Agency Response
The Forest Service maintains that glyphosate is the most economical method to promote conifer regrowth and achieve desired forest density for future timber sales. In its public comments, the agency has not yet provided the requested database or detailed monitoring results. Bayer asserted that “regulators, including the EPA, EU, and others… have repeatedly concluded that glyphosate-based products… can be used safely according to the product label directions.” The EPA and WHO continue to issue divergent safety assessments.
Criticism and Opposition
Pingree described the agency’s actions as “bullshit” and expressed anger at the lack of oversight. She added, “You’re talking about just wiping out all biology… it’s bonkers.” Both lawmakers urged the Service to explore “safer or more sustainable approaches to forest management.”
Conflicting Scientific Assessments
- Regulatory consensus: EPA, EU and other agencies deem glyphosate safe when used as directed.
- Health agencies: IARC classifies glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen.
- Ecological impact: EPA reports likely harm to 93 % of endangered species.
- Judicial review: Ninth Circuit found the 2020 EPA safety review inadequate.
Why It Matters
The scale of glyphosate use raises potential risks to biodiversity, water quality, and human health for workers and nearby communities. Transparency is essential for public trust in federal land management and for evaluating the trade-off between timber revenue and ecological stewardship.
What’s Next
Pingree and Huffman have introduced the No Immunity for Glyphosate Act, aiming to block federal funding for glyphosate production and prevent liability shields for manufacturers. A House Agriculture Committee hearing is scheduled to examine the agency’s risk assessments, worker-safety protocols, and the feasibility of non-chemical forest-management alternatives. The Forest Service is expected to respond to the congressional letter within the statutory 30-day period.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s bullshit. I’m really mad.” — Chellie Pingree, U.S. Representative
- “you’re talking about just wiping out all biology, you know, just like all life forms. It’s bonkers,” — Chellie Pingree, U.S. Representative
- “regulators, including the EPA, EU, and others around the world, have repeatedly concluded that glyphosate-based products—which are the most widely used and extensively studied products of their kind—can be used safely according to the product label directions.” — Bayer AG spokesperson
