Tom Butt
 
  E-Mail Forum – 2015  
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  "Last Resort" Herbicide Use on Carlson Median
February 22, 2015
 
 

It appears that City crews are working overtime on Sunday to get in the last spraying of glyphosate before the prospective  temporary ban goes in at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. According to our existing IPM ordinance “Pesticides shall be used only as a last resort following other feasible IPM efforts including cultural, mechanical, and biological methods. When it is deemed necessary to use pesticides the least-toxic pesticides shall be used.”

City Crews

9.48.020 - Applicability.

A. Restricted Use of Pesticides. Pesticides shall be used only as a last resort following other feasible IPM efforts including cultural, mechanical, and biological methods. When it is deemed necessary to use pesticides the least-toxic pesticides shall be used.

B. Ban on the Use of Any Pesticide Containing Organophosphates or Carbamates. Except for pesticides granted an emergency exemption pursuant to Section 9.48.030, no City Department or Contractor shall use any material containing any organophosphates or carbamates as listed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. No exemptions of pesticides containing organophosphates or carbamates shall be granted for use in a riparian area.

C. Ban the Use of Any Pesticide That is a Known Carcinogen. Except for pesticides granted an emergency exemption pursuant to Section 9.48.030, no City Department shall use any pesticide, as listed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which is a known carcinogen.

D. Riparian Areas, Playgrounds, and Picnic Areas are Pesticide-Free Zones. Except for pesticides granted an emergency exemption pursuant to Section 9.48.030, no pesticides shall be used on Riparian Areas, within playgrounds, or within picnic areas located on City property. The pesticide-free zone shall extend a minimum of fifteen feet from top of bank in Riparian Areas, and a minimum of fifteen feet from the perimeter of a playground or picnic area.

E. Notification of Pesticide Use. In those areas in which pesticides are used, the City shall provide notification in the following manner:

(a) Signs of a standard design and size, easily recognizable by the public and workers, shall be posted at public access points to the targeted area 72 hours in advance of the application and remain in place for 72 hours following the application.

(b) Signs shall contain the following information: Pesticide product name; active ingredient; target pest; dates of anticipated pesticide application; signal word (such as "Danger" or "Warning") indicating toxicity level; timeline for re-entry of staff and public; name and contact information for the IPM Coordinator.

(c) Exemptions to the advance notification requirements may be granted by the IPM Coordinator pursuant to Section 9.48.030, subsection B or C. However, in areas accessible to the public, signs shall be posted within five days prior to the time of application stating that, weather permitting, pesticides will be applied in the area within the next five days and shall remain in place for a minimum of 72 hours following the application.

(d) Pesticide use in areas not readily accessible to the public, such as street medians or unimproved rights-of-way, shall not require the posting of signs

"Riparian Area" means an area characterized by vegetation that thrives in the interface between dry land and the wet environment of a stream, creek, pond, or other water body. Riparian Area includes wetlands, floodplains, and all area within a minimum of fifteen feet from the top of a stream or creek bank, whether or not riparian vegetation is observed within that area.


 

 
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