Associated Press - July 30, 2009 11:34 AM ET

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - A plan to spray a weed killer on buffelgrass has been scrapped by Pima County officials.

Buffelgrass is known for choking off nonnative plants in the Sonoran Desert.

The county had planned to use a helicopter to spray 12 roughly one acre sized parcels in a rugged area west of Kennedy Park near Ajo Way.

However, County Supervisors grounded the operation because of safety concerns raised by the public.

Pima County Natural Resources Manager Kerry Baldwin says the herbicide is EPA approved and similar to one you used by consumers.

Tucson Mountains resident Donna Branch-Gilby say she's concerned the herbicide could drift and doesn't believe it's safe for people, animals or native plants.

Pima County Supervisors will discuss their safety concerns Tuesday.

Information from: KVOA-TV, http://www.kvoa.com/

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