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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0489.548 2018-2020 Hawaii Chapter Golf Course Superintendents Association of America October 24, 2019 Hawaii County Council Attn. Councilwoman Rebecca Villegas 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Bldg A Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 Subject: Bill 101 which would prohibit the County from using herbicides on parks, roads, bikeways, sidewalks,trails, drainageways, and waterways. Commenter: The Hawaii Golf Course Superintendents Association is dedicated to leading the Hawaiian golf industry by serving HGCSA members, advancing the science of turfgrass management, collecting and disseminating information concerning efficient and economical management of golf courses, related environmental issues, and monitoring legislative agendas which concern the golf community. The HGCSA is an affiliated chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. ************** Dear Councilwoman Villegas, On behalf of the Hawaii Golf Course Superintendents Association, I respectfully submit the following comments regarding Bill 101, which would prohibit the County from using herbicides on parks, roads, bikeways, sidewalks,trails, drainageways, and waterways. We empathize with the County of Hawai'i concerns regarding herbicide use due to concerns over environmental impact, public health and liability. However, we oppose Bill 101 as extensive research has shown registered herbicides pose no significant health or environmental risks. Invasive plants have a significant impact on managed landscapes in Hawaii, particularly golf facilities including the County owned Hilo Municipal Golf Course. Herbicides are a tool that superintendents use periodically and in correlation to acceptable thresholds to create playing conditions that meet the expectations of both local and visiting golfers. A herbicide ban will put Hilo Municipal at a competitive disadvantage with other courses throughout the Big Island. Unless a golf course is capable of supporting a huge maintenance staff budget to substitute human labor for the job inexpensively performed by herbicides and/or unless a golf course is located in a climate in which invasive species are much less problematic than they are in Hawaii's rich environment, herbicides are the only feasible way to yield golf courses that meet those customer expectations capable of eliciting greens fees sufficient to cover the costs of doing business. As you explore this ban, we encourage you to look at the total costs including the increased product costs, increased labor costs associated with more manual labor and the inevitable effect on course,. QQ,,QQ �j'�y, playing conditions which will lead to a decrease in course revenue. Comm.'No.'IZ/-I• ✓ t Ref. To: PI EpUIUI Ref. Date NOV 2 0 2019 The bottom line in today's golf environment is that municipal golf courses, particularly those that desire to provide affordable, accessible golf to a wide variety of residents and guests, do not have the luxury of the budgets required to manage all of those factors with the level of effectiveness amenable to lower herbicide application. From an environmental standpoint, golf course superintendents and other landscape professionals use only herbicides that have gone through rigorous testing in the United States and are registered for use by the state of Hawaii. These products are shown to be safe when used according to the label. Healthy turfgrass also minimizes and prevents the migration of nonpoint source pollutants into ground, surface, and coastal waters. Additionally, Integrated Pest Management(IPM) strategies are employed. IPM aims to reduce conventional pesticide use,when feasible, by using a combination of tactics to control pests, including cultural, biological, genetic, and chemical controls. Objectives include reducing pest management expenses, conserving energy, and reducing the risk of pesticide exposure to people, animals, and the environment. More information on IPM is available by viewing the Hawaii Golf Maintenance Best Management Practices Guide at www.hawaiigolfbmp.org. In closing, from a cost and efficacy standpoint, Bill 101 is an approach as inefficient as it is expensive. Studies show that all organic management of landscapes is costly, labor intensive and ultimately produces conditions that are not desirable for golfers and users of other recreational facilities including County managed parks.We urge you to reconsider the implementation of Bill 101 while continuing to use a responsible IPM Program (including the use of herbicides and pesticides when warranted) aimed at providing safe and healthy turf and open spaces throughout the Big Island. I thank you for your time and consideration and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me below. Sincerely, Scott Main CGCS, President,.Hawaii Golf Course Superintendents Association • ..._.._._ i _ .