Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
MEMORANDUM <br />To: Orange County Board of Commissioners <br />Bonnie Hammersley, County Manager <br />From: Commission for the Environment <br />Date: November 9, 2015 <br />Re: Use of herbicides and pesticides at County -owned facilities <br />The Orange County Commission for the Environment (CFE) was asked by the BOCC to <br />consider the list of herbicides and pesticides used both inside and outside the County -owned <br />buildings and facilities, and to provide feedback or recommendations to the staff or BOCC. <br />The CFE received the list at the October 12 meeting and had a thoughtful discussion with <br />David Stancil and members of his DEAPR staff as well as Brennan Bouma from AMS. The <br />CFE also reviewed DEAPR's sustainable landscaping policy, which states that pesticides and <br />herbicides should be used no stronger than directed and only when no alternative exist. <br />CFE members reviewed the list of herbicides and pesticides used on grounds and playing <br />fields, and asked many questions on how and when chemicals are applied. CFE members <br />learned that the staff maintain a high level of safety and control in the application of these <br />products. They are well - trained and use products according to directions included on the label. <br />CFE members noted, however, that just because a product is EPA - approved and regulated <br />there may be alternatives that are better for the natural environment. The CFE recommends <br />DEAPR and AMS staff conduct periodic reviews of their use of herbicides and other <br />chemicals, including an examination of alternatives to potentially harmful substances. <br />The CFE is confident with the use of herbicides /pesticides by County staff, but the CFE <br />remains wary about the use of these products by residential users. The CFE will consider <br />developing some sort of guidance targeted toward homeowners in the county— perhaps using <br />this as the subject for one in the series of newspaper articles that the CFE has authored for the <br />Chapel Hill News and News of Orange County. <br />The CFE appreciates the opportunity to review this information and have this discussion. <br />cc: David Stancil, DEAPR Director <br />Jeff Thompson, AMS Director <br />GOl2Cl2CG55%J�ib for t <br />G, %OlZ1Ir�B GOUVi,t� P�f�h12, h0 gOX �1�1 /�6C��01'OUG�GI, NG���j�� �1� -�-�f5 -610 <br />