HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0489.691 2018-2020 COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAII
RECEIVED
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From: Hawaii Floral Products Time 1:284(n By O
To: Council Testimony
Subject: I Oppose Bill 101 Date 12/214/%I'
Date: Tuesday,December 24,2019 8:30:41 AM
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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 health, conservation efforts, and ultimately, to agriculture. Although
the bill currently exempts agriculture, if passed, it will undoubtedly use the same misguided
rationale to ban herbicides in farming and ranching. I am also very concerned about my safety
since roadways quickly become overgrown with weeds, causing blind spots for motorists and
pedestrians that can result in devastating accidents. As farmers and ranchers who rely upon
our precious watersheds, we are concerned that those areas will be taken over by the many
introduced invasive plant species, like miconia, that reduce the rainwater that seeps into the
watershed, if effective herbicides are prohibited. If weeds are not adequately controlled on
County property, these areas will become perfect habitat and breeding areas for destructive
pests and diseases that will impact Hawaii's farmers (and others) and risk the continued
viability of our farms and ranches. Please do not support Bill 101. Thank you for taking our
concerns and comments into consideration. Mahalo, Brian and Jennifer Bushe, 961-2548
bushirol@gmail.com
Comm. No 11(18-
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