PLACEMENT: Departmental
TITLE:
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GLYPHOSATE BRIEFING
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
On August 21st, 2018 the Board of County Commissioners (Board) directed staff to prepare a presentation on the herbicide glyphosate, alternative weed control methods, and considerations regarding restricting or banning use.
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DEPARTMENT: Public Works
PREPARED BY: Name: James Gorton
Title: Deputy Public Works Director
REQUESTED BY: Martin County Board of County Commissioners
PRESET: 1:30 PM
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
Glyphosate is a non-selective, systemic herbicide used to control broadleaf plants and grasses. Glyphosate was registered for use by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1974 and is presently the most commonly used herbicide in the United States. As mandated by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), Glyphosate is currently undergoing Registration Review. The Registration Review process allows the EPA to consider new science and ensure products can be used safely. The EPA is expected to publish the proposed interim registration review decision in 2019 along with mitigation measures to reduce risk to human health and the environment from the product.
The current review decision by the EPA is that for registered and labeled uses, glyphosate products do not pose an unreasonable risk to human or environmental health. Despite receiving regulatory approval, there is highly publicized controversy surrounding the safety of glyphosate products. Specifically, the public is concerned over glyphosate in the food supply given its extensive use in agriculture, the product possibly being carcinogenic, and its environmental impacts on waterbodies.
ISSUES:
Martin County residents requested that the Board of County Commissioners consider banning use of glyphosate products due to perceived concerns over its safety. Review of state statues indicates that the county is pre-empted from banning pesticides for use. The board may, however, choose to reduce or suspend use of glyphosate on county facilities.
There are fiscal and flood control concerns that will be addressed in a Supplemental Memo PowerPoint presentation.
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW:
N/A
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECOMMENDATION
Move that the Board direct staff to develop a formal countywide Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program to effectively and economically manage pests with the least possible hazard to human health and the environment. IPM uses a combination of biological, physical, cultural, and chemical methods to control pests. In IPM, target-specific chemical control is considered only once other control methods have failed.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
1) Move that the Board direct staff to develop site specific use restrictions.
2) Move that the Board direct staff to develop a complete ban on county facilities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
RECOMMENDATION
$50,000 for development of a formal IPM program
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ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
1) Selective site ban: Dependent on sites selected
2) Complete ban: estimate of $800,000
DOCUMENT(S) REQUIRING ACTION:
☐Budget Transfer / Amendment ☐ Chair Letter ☐Contract / Agreement
☐Grant / Application ☐Notice ☐Ordinance ☐Resolution
☐Other: