HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0392.088 2014-2016Murashige, Laura
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From:
Syd Singer <sydsinger@gmail.com>
Sent:
Sunday, August 02, 2015 6:51 AM'
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To:
Council Testimony
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Cc:
Margaret Wille
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Subject:
Amended Testimony on Bill 71
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AMENDED Comment on
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 14, HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983, 2005 EDITION, AS
AMENDED), BY ADDING A NEW ARTICLE TO DECREASE PUBLIC EXPOSURE TO TOXIC
HERBICIDES.
I apologize for an error in my previous comment on this bill. I misinterpreted the word "signal" in its use in the
term "signal labels for herbicides", which was not defined in this bill. I have since researched its use and
applicability in this bill and concur with the proposed exclusion of herbicides with the signal label of "caution"
from the definition of "toxic herbicide".
Please accept this as a addendum to my previously submitted testimony on this bill.
Sydney Ross Singer
Medical Anthropologist
Director, Good Shepherd Foundation
Pahoa, Hawaii 96778
808-935-5563
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Ref. To: B !G
Ref. Date 04 2015.
Murashi e, Laura a'`� COUNTY CLERK
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From: Syd Singer <sydsinger@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, August 01, 2015 5:42 AM 2015 AUG —3 P11 Zt 06
To: Council Testimony
Cc: Wille, Margaret; Margaret Wille
Subject: Comment on AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 14, HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983
2005 EDITION, AS AMENDED), BY ADDING A NEW ARTICLE TO DECREASE PUBLIC
EXPOSURE TO TOXIC HERBICIDES.
Comment on AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 14, HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983 2005
EDITION, AS AMENDED), BY'ADDING A NEW ARTICLE TO DECREASE PUBLIC EXPOSURE
TO TOXIC HERBICIDES.
Aloha, and thank you for the opportunity to comment on this proposed amendment.
I applaud the intent of this Bill, which is to reduce the environmental and health hazards of using toxic
herbicides. However, this Bill as currently proposed needs some revision.
1. There needs to be a definition of "Eco -Friendly". What does "eco -friendly spray applications" mean?
Does this mean applying toxic herbicides in a less toxic way, such as using less product or applying it
less frequently? Or does it mean using different products? Are there degrees of eco -friendliness? How is
this established?
2. The definitions state, "Herbicide products with only a signal label of "caution" are excluded from the
definition of "toxic herbicides." I assume the word "signal" should be "single". I also think this is too
vague. Are all herbicides with a single caution label safe? What is the caution label cautioning about? Is
there a particular nontoxic product that is being proposed?
3. Time is being allowed for a transition period during which the county can "partner with organizations in
order to enhance roadway beautification projects." Are there currently organizations or:groups willing
and able to partner on such a project? It seems more attention and funding should go to this effort so as
to create a comprehensive roadway management plan.
As it stands, this Bill is more about prohibiting toxic herbicide use than it is about creating alternatives. I
suggest greater emphasis be placed on creating a roadway'management plan that.includes interested members of
the public and nonprofit organizations to develop alternatives to herbicide use. Unless there is a specific plan for
weed management that will replace the use of toxic herbicides, there will be no practical alternatives to the
current use of poisons, especially given the power and influence of the agro-chemical industry in Hawaii.
Finally, I would suggest adding one more section, addressing what happens after herbicides are used to kill
trees. Albesia is currently being killed by using an herbicide and leaving the trees standing and slowly rotting
away. Mangroves at Pohoiki, Paki Bay, and Onekahakaha Beach Park were also killed by herbicide and left
dead and standing along the shoreline. This method of using poison to kill trees and not removing them once
they are dead is creating hazardous and unsightly environments. Instead of poisoning trees and leaving them to
rot and fall, the trees should be removed. This also avoids the need to use poison.
The issue is that poison is cheaper to use than cutting and clearing. However, this creates an environmental and
public safety threat. We should not allow our land to be poisoned and blighted by dead and dangerous trees just
because it seems cheaper, at the moment, to do it that way.
Hence, I propose including in this Bill the following additional section:
"Any trees killed by the county shall be removed from the site and not left dead to naturally rot away."
I hope these comments are helpful.
Sydney Ross Singer
Medical Anthropologist
Director, Good Shepherd Foundation
P.O. Box 1880
Pahoa, Hawaii 96778
808-935-5563