HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0489.649 2018-2020 •
Murashige, Laura
From: Jason Moniz <jasonmoniz73@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2019 5:12 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: I Oppose Bill 101
Aloha Chair Chung, Vice-Chair Eoff, and members of the Council,
Thank you for the opportunity to testify in opposition to this measure.
I oppose this bill because the;results will be detrimental to public safety, wildland fire prevention, other
conservation efforts, and to agriculture. Although it currently exempts agriculture, the bill, if passed, will
undoubtedly use the samemisguided rationale to ban herbicides which are important tools for farming and
ranching.
I am also justifiablyconcerned forpublic safetysince our smaller roadways can quickly
As a rural resident
become overgrown with weedy plants, causing blind spots for motorists and pedestrians, which can result in.
devastating accidents. Furthermore, as farmers and ranchers who rely upon our precious watersheds,we are
concerned that those areas will become severely neglected and taken over by the many introduced noxious plant
species,like miconia, that reduce the amount of rainwater that will seep into the watershed, if effective
herbicides are disallowed.
County roadways in particular are not adequately maintained and banning herbicide use will only reduce the
County's ability to adequately maintain our roadways. Poorly maintained County roadways and other
unmanaged properties serve as conduits and reservoir for pests and diseases that will impact Hawaii's farmers
(and others) and risk the continued viability of our farms and ranches.
The passage of Bill 101 will result in far more problems than it solves.
Thank you for taking our concerns and comments into consideration.
Mahalo,
Jason D. Moniz (D4,F)
Paauilo, HI
iasonmoniz73@gmail.corn
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