HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0489.746 2018-2020 _CO tiLIT'I C',' t ani&.
O UHTY OF HAWAII
From: rt nakandakari F
To: Council Testimony 2020 JAN _, S .
Subject: I Oppose Bill 101
Date: Friday,January 03,2020 12:19:08 PM
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,
Ray Nakamura
Hilo, Hawaii
rtnakamura ci hawaii.rr.com
Comm. N I�,� `�4`o
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