HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0489.784 2018-2020 From: Guy Ward
To: Council Testimony
Subject: I Oppose Bill 101
Date: Monday,January 06,2020 3:42:15 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,since although it currently exempts agriculture,the bill,if passed,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 oppose Bill 101.
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Thank you for taking our concerns and comments into consideration. r E •
Mahalo, _ -=
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Ref.To: PILUYI
Ref. Dote JAN - 8 2020