HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0489.713 2018-2020 From: Susi Hamilton
To: Council Testimony
Subject: I Oppose Bill 101
Date: Tuesday,January 07,2020 9:31:10 AM
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 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, c,
Susan Hamilton - =�
Kurtistown,HI
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Ref. Date JAN, - 8 2Q20