HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0392.130 2014-2016COUNTY CLERK
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7015 AUG 18 AN 8: 29 BIO ISCHIO DiVASNE SPECIES CO,IhuTrfifi
23 E. Kawili St
Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: (808) 933-3340
Cell: (808) 345-1668
August 17, 2015
Testimony of the Big Island Invasive Species Committee, -to the
Hawaii County Council, Environmental Coitiee
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Opposing Bill 71, amending the County Code to prohibit the use of certain pesticides.
Aloha County Councilmembers,.
The Steering Committee of the Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC) has reviewed Bill 71, and we
appreciate the opportunity to -present our concerns at this hearing. Our steering committee is comprised of
professionals in the fields of conservation and invasive species management, and many of us must use pesticides to
achieve important conservation and agricultural objects. Among other things, these include:
• managing firebreaks around high value conservation areas;
• creating weed -free zones around endangered plants so populations can recover;
• promoting the recovery of native forests in critical watersheds;
• controlling little fire ant, coqui, coffee berry borer, and macadamia felted coccid on agricultural lands;
• reducing populations of rats around the nests of endangered native honeycreepers;
• managing albizia, fountain grass, fireweed, and newly arrived invasive weeds island -wide.
The large scale and minimal budget at which conservation and agricultural programs are asked to conduct these
activities often requires the use of pesticides. We support the continued pursuit of improved landscaping, mowing,
and other methods to reduce the use of pesticide where feasible; however, pesticides remain an important tool in our
toolbox for battling those introduced species which pose a threat to our environment, economy, and health, and they
are sometimes the only economically viable option.
While we appreciate the spirit and intent of the bill - as conservation professionals, we strive to use the safest, most
targeted, and- smallest amounts of pesticide required to get the job done, avoiding excessive pesticide use in the the
environment - we do have concerns with Bill 71. There are already numerous federal and state laws and regulations
in place to control and monitor the use of pesticides, and this bill would, in effect, be an attempt to supercede those.
Existing regulations related to pesticide use are developed and managed by scientists and professionals at the
Environmental Protection Agency. (EPA} and the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA). We believe that
these experts, knowledgeable and experienced in the use of pesticides, toxicology, data, and reported chronic and
acute impacts of these chemicals, are best equipped to manage science -based pesticide regulation.
We are also concerned with inconsistencies. presented in the bill as it is currently written. These have the potential
to create confusion and make implementation and enforcement difficult, if not impossible. The term "pesticide"
includes the categories of herbicides, insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, etc., and we are concerned that future
interpretations of the ordinance might have inadvertent consequences, such -as preventing the use of baits to control
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little fire ants or rodents, fungicide to: protect ohia trees in county parks, or vinegar (an acutely toxic chemical at
applicable strengths)=to-control=mold=in-county facilities. Irranother example, while the -bill specifically states that
herbicides with. a caution label are excluded; the: list of prohibited -chemicals includes several with a caution label,
such as glyphosate:
It appears that the most common concerns presented -by. residents in support. of this bill.could be addressed by
additional training of county workers. Roadside weed contr-otis a -critical function of the highways maintenance
department, maintaining viewplanes. for the safety of drivers, and limiting the spread of invasive weeds, while
limited use of pesticides keeps our county parks safe- and enjoyable. Our committee suggests phasing in a
requirement that county workers who use pesticides pass the state's Commercial Applicator of Restricted Pesticides
certification exam, as do employees who handle pesticides in the conservation field. Study materials are provided
by HDQA and are available specifically for Right of Way (roads) and Ornamental/Turf (park) management.
Workers who apply herbicides have the highest risk of exposure of any in the community, so -this training would
benefit not only the community, but the workers as well. Even if the program never uses a restricted use pesticide,
passing the exam ensures these workers thoroughly understand the safe, proper, and effective use of pesticides, and
are able to read and interpret labels and safety sheets, thus protecting the environment, the community, and the
workers themselves. We believe this would be a great first step in limiting exposure in our community.
We do not support misuse or overuse of pesticides in any case, and would be very supportive of bills that propose
safety and application training for County employees. However, we must express our opposition to Bill 71 as
written, for the reasons detailed above. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Mahalo for your time.
Springer Kaye
Manager