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1 Orange County Commission for the Environment Meeting Summary October 12, 2015 Richard Whitted Meeting Facility, Hillsborough ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ PRESENT: Jan Sassaman (Chair), May Becker, Tom Eisenhart, Lynne Gronback, David Neal, Jeanette O’Connor, Gary Saunders ABSENT: Sheila Thomas-Ambat, Peter Cada, Loren Hintz, Bill Newby, Rebecca Ray, Lydia Wegman, David Welch STAFF: Rich Shaw, Tom Davis, Brennan Bouma GUESTS: David Stancil (DEAPR Director), Curt Farmer (DEAPR Parks Division) _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ I. Call to Order – Sassaman called the meeting to order at 7:38 pm. II. Ad ditions or Changes to Agenda – None. III. Minutes – Sassaman asked if there were any comments about the meeting summary for September 14 meeting. There were none; approved by acclamation. IV. Herbicides & Pesticides Used at County Facilities – Shaw reported that the BOCC asked the CFE to look over a list of herbicides and pesticides used by County staff to manage the grounds at Orange County buildings and facilities, and for the CFE to provide any feedback or recommendations to the staff or to the BOCC. Shaw referred CFE members to the memo and attached list of herbicides and pesticides that was prepared by Tom Davis with input from other staff responsible for the use of those chemicals on County-owned property. Shaw introduced Curt Farmer who oversees athletic fields at the County’s soccer complex (Soccer.com Center) and at other County parks. Shaw also referred members to DEAPR’s sustainable landscaping policy, which states that pesticides and herbicides should be used no stronger than directed and only when no other alternative exists. He said the policy also recommends using organic fertilizers including compost. CFE members asked questions about the list of pesticides and herbicides.  Sassaman asked how long people are kept off the fields after herbicides are applied. Farmer said each chemical is labeled with guidance on the proper time interval for re-entry. Sassaman asked which is the most common herbicide used. Farmer said it is glyphosate (“RoundUp”); he uses 15 gallons annually.  O’Connor asked whether the staff has used organic compost as a fertilizer. Farmer said he has tried compost, but there were problems with it containing unwanted materials, including nails and glass. He prefers using sand.  Becker asked if the staff would be willing to use organic alternatives. Farmer said he is certainly willing as long as they perform well and not too expensive. He welcomed any information or guidance from CFE members. He intends to phase out the use of 2-4-d products as alternatives for killing weeds become available.