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HAWAII
From: Topher Dean
Sent: Monday, November 15, 2021 3:20 PM 1921 NOV
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Bill 91
Dear Councilmembers,
Thank you for addressing this issue. I've been working hard to restrict
usage of dangerous herbicides and pesticides. I am in support of Bill 91, banning
the use of glyphosate. As Rachel Carson, the scientist that saved so many bird
species from extinction said, "DDT is not the only dangerous chemical we're
introducing into the environment." Since she spoke those words, over 80,000
chemical compounds have been released into our environment, almost none of
them have been tested for long term exposure, health hazards to humans, and
definitely nothing has been tested to see what the long term harm to other
animals are. I am aware that Bayer/Monsanto is changing their formula for
Round Up. Let's face it, we know what they're up to, they're going to tweak the
molecular structure of glyphosate so that it's technically not glyphosate anymore,
but every bit as toxic, if not more so, than the original glyphosate formula. I saw
they're selling a new formula in Europe that says vinegar is an active
ingredient. I'm sure, along with some other cocktail of petrochemical solutions
that wreak havoc with the delicate internal organs of life on Earth.
At the County Convention in 2018, I handed out informational packets to
various legislators outlining municipal steam weeding tractors. It's been brought
to my attention that Maui has introduced this method that many municipalities
have been using for years. Steam weeding has a four fold benefit. One, we're
not introducing dangerous poisons into the environment, which
protects our reefs and aina. Two, steam weeding also cleans the salt off our
infrastructure, like signs and guardrails, thereby lengthening their lifespan. Three,
you don't have to spend thousands of dollars on chemicals. Four, you don't have
to worry about being sued for millions of dollars by an unlucky County worker
who contracts some type of cancer. The labor costs are the same, one person
driving a tractor, just like they do with Round Up. The only difference is, ou
only put water in the steam weeding tractor. Comm. 4RI `
Ref. o:
s Ref. tete NOV V 7 :2021
I hope you'll at least consider a trial run and see how it goes. Why not call the
County of Maui and see how they like theirs? There are many different makes
and models of these steam weeding vehicles.
I've enclosed a short video of Dover NH's experience with this method.
Remember, Round Up doesn't eliminate weeds either. They turn brown and
then they come right back. I think you'll be heroes with the community for
doing this.
Thank you for your time and consideration
ht�tps:/Zwww.youtube.com/watch?v-TBmuSdsBnNs
httl2s://www.weedtechnics.com/
Fight with aloha,
` opher
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