HomeMy WebLinkAboutOES 14-04
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REPORT TO
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Report Number: OES 14-04
Date: April 13, 2004
From:
Richard W. Holborn, P. Eng.
Division Head, Municipal Property & Engineering
Subject:
Pesticide Use
Recommendation:
1. That Report OES 14-04 regarding a City pesticide use update be received; and
2. That $6,000.00 be allocated for the development of Community Based Social
Marketing materials be approved; and
3. Staff report back to Council on an annual basis on the activities and successes
on pesticide awareness in the community.
Executive Summary:
Pesticide use in Ontario has long been a contentious community issue. Since 1988, the
use of controlled chemicals on City of Pickering lands has been on the decline to a
point equivalent to the value of a single residential lawn care contract. The next phase
is to extend our experience and knowledge to the community in order to build
awareness related to alternatives to chemical weed control means. This change will be
based on a "grass roots" program that involves businesses, residents, community
groups and schools. It is proposed to be well beyond the City's traditional campaigns
and is geared to reaching homeowners on a more personal level. The program is
proposed to include;
Endorsement from Council;
Partnership with Local and Regional Health Units;
Web site information and collateral information "pieces";
Participation of garden centers as well as other members of the "green" community;
Presentations to ratepayer and community group meetings and gatherings;
An "in-school" education program;
Visual displays at community events; and
Leadership in the municipal realm by demonstrating the City's support through utilizing
innovative ways to manage pest problems.
Report OES 14-04
Date: April 13, 2004
Subject: Pesticide Use
Page 2
Financial Implications: Account 2718-5901 covers the City's costs for fertilizer, grass
seed and weed control. Due to reductions in the use of pesticides, a re-allocation of
$6000.00 for the development of an awareness program can be achieved without an
increase in the budget category.
Background:
Pesticide use in Ontario has long been a contentious community issue. It has been
fueled by incidents that have caused tremendous damage to natural systems and
ecology, people's misconception of regulatory infrastructure and a growing movement
by citizens to demand higher expectations for those managing pesticides. The Council
of the City of Pickering passed Resolution #160/01 - Appendix #11 at the regular
Council meeting of December 3, 2001 when they considered a report titled Pesticide
Use - City of Pickering Property (OES-034-01), and the following recommendations
were adopted;
0 That Pickering Council endorse the concept of Integrated Pest Management and
Plant Health Care Program for the City's municipal land holdings;
0 That staff continue to strive to minimize the use of pesticides and incorporate
alternative products and methods into their Plant Care program; and
0 That staff be directed to formalize and promote the Plant Care Program through
an education program of public awareness and staff training
0 That the issue concerning pesticides be reviewed during the winter and brought
back before the Finance & Operations Committee in the spring
To best appreciate how far the City of Pickering has come over the last decade with
respect to Pesticide use, a brief history is outlined below;
In 1988, (The Town of) Pickering's standard accepted practice to treating parks was to
apply a herbicide (killex) twice a year. The blanket application occurred once in the
spring and fall and was applied to every managed area (approx. 200 acres). In
addition, a general fertilizer (7-7-7 formulation) was applied in the spring, and the grass
was consistently maintained at a height, which resembled a golf green more so than a
lawn. This was in an effort to maintain park areas as a manicured, pristine and affluent
looking community space. These practices were also adopted since high quality sports
turf was in demand, and this was the general practice of that era for maintaining quality
turf.
Larger landscape elements such as boulevard trees, because of the relatively small
numbers, were routinely sprayed with dormant oil in the spring (ash and crabapple) and
insecticide as required for aphids (locust, ash, and linden) and staff could generally
keep up with pruning requirements.
Report OES 14-04
Date: April 13, 2004
Subject: Pesticide Use
Page 3
Since that time however, many community changes have occurred. As Pickering's
population has more than doubled, participation in sports like soccer, football, and
baseball have increased exponentially, requiring quality, safe turf and field facilities to
prevent injuries and to inspire healthy play. Planning practices have also evolved. For
example, subdivision agreements outline requirements to ensure mandatory planting of
boulevard trees. This has increased the amount of trees and has lead to the
introduction of different species with an array of maintenance requirements.
As these changes occurred, so did the sophistication and technology by which
pesticides were viewed and managed. Plant practitioners are better prepared to
manage our green resources techniques. Known as LP.M. (integrated pest
management), P.H.C. (plant health care) and Best Management Practices, these terms
and practices can be summed up with the old adage "an ounce of prevention is better
than a pound of cure". Simply put, once a plant is established in a healthier medium,
managing pest problems is easier without augmenting with chemicals.
In 2003, the City of Pickering roughly spent $3,500 on pesticides of which only
approximately $500 was used to purchase non-selective pesticide product (Round Up).
The remaining amount was used to purchase "natural alternative" type of pesticide
products or goose control. Other significant City practices that have been adopted
since the date of the previous report include;
0 No spray zones around property abutting school property (with the exception of
floral display beds)
0 Only treat sport field(s) once they reach a threshold of 15% or greater broadleaf
weed cover
0 Use of chemical control is viewed as a "last resort" or where cultural means are
either inappropriate or will be ineffective
0 Use of grass seed mixture that contains species that are more drought tolerant
and reproduce by means of stolons. These are more competitive than typical
mixtures and better adapted to survive and out compete weeds for nutrients and
water
0 Experimented with 'eco-clear' for weed control. This substance is an all natural,
non-selective product and is derived from horticultural vinegar, lemon juice and
soap additives
0 Consciously used, where practical, all natural "Nature safe" fertilizer
0 In late 2003 purchased a product called Corn Gluten fertilizer as a natural form
of fertilizer and weed control for sport fields and shrub beds across the City of
Pickering; and
0 In 2004 have a key staff member trained and qualified to be a pesticide examiner
in order to promote staff awareness of the issues of pesticides, and ensure safe
application of the minimal pesticides expected in the future
Report OES 14-04
Date: April 13, 2004
Subject: Pesticide Use
Page 4
The next step in the process is to build awareness in our community. At a recent
conference attended by City of Pickering staff, hosted by one of Canada's leading
experts in social marketing, the issue of pesticide use and culture was explored.
According to Dr. Doug McKenzie-Mohr, governments historically market ideas through
information intensive programs. Dr. McKenzie-Mohr illustrated the in-effectiveness of
"traditional" programs, and explained an approach he has called "Community-based
Social Marketing". This approach to marketing through social sciences has
demonstrated that behavior change is most effective when delivered at the
communitylgrass roots level and involves five critical steps, which include;
1. selecting activities to be targeted
2. how to uncover barrierslbenefits
3. reviewing behavior change tools
4. pilot testing
5. broad scale implementation
In 2003, City of Pickering staff canvassed local green industry owners and managers to
gauge their willingness to help the City "get the word out," about pesticide use. Most
embraced the idea leading staff to generally believe that a shift in attitude may be
possible with the right program and expertise.
As an overview, the City of Pickering plans to develop a program that is well beyond the
City's traditional campaigns and is geared to reaching homeowners on a more personal
level. The program is proposed to include;
Endorsement from Council;
Partnership with Local and Regional Health Units;
Web site information and collateral information "pieces";
Participation of garden centers as well as other members of the "green" community;
Presentations to ratepayer and community group meetings and gatherings;
An "in-school" education program;
Visual displays at community events; and
Leadership in the municipal realm by demonstrating the City's support through utilizing
innovative ways to manage pest problems.
A detailed package, should this direction be confirmed, could be developed for
implementation in 2005. To assist with developing a community based social marketing
program in partnership with others, staff recommends that $6,000.00 be allocated to
help bring the product to a more professional level. While in development, the
Operations & Emergency Services Department would make status updates available for
staff and Council to review and comment prior to approval and implementation.
Report OES 14-04
Date: April 13, 2004
Subject: Pesticide Use
Page 5
Attachments:
1.
Report Pesticide Use - City of Pickering; OES-034-01
Prepared By:
Approved I Endorsed By:
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Riehard W. Ho orn, P. Eng.
pfvision Head, Municipal Property & Engineering
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Attachments
Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
Recommended for the consideration of
Pickering Ci uncil
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Council Meeting Minutes
Monday, December 3, 2001
7:30 p.m.
am RESOLUTIONS
-
Resolution #159/01 - Appendix #1
Moved by Councillor Brenner
Seconded by Councillor Holland
That the Report of the Finance Committee dated November 26,2001 be adopted.
CARRIED'
Resolution #160/01 - ADDendix #ll
Moved by Councillor Pickles
Seconded by Councillor Ryan
That the Report of the Operations Committee dated November 26,2001 be adopted as amended in
Item #6 to add:
5. That the issue concerning pesticides be reviewed during the winter and brought back before the
Finance & Operations Committee in the spring.
CARRIED
Council considered the following motion in conjunction with the above resolution:
-
Resolution #160/01(a)
Moved by Councillor Holland
Seconded by Councillor Brenner
That Item #6 be amended to add:
#5. That the issue concerning pesticides be reviewed during the winter and brought back before the
Finance & Operations Committee in the spring.
CARRIED
Resolution #161/01 - ADDenda #m
Moved by Councillor Ryan
Seconded by Councillor Pickles
That the Report of the Planning Committee dated November 26, 2001 be adopted as amended:
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REPORT TO COUNCIL
FROM:
Richard W. Holborn
Division Head
MW1Îcipal Property & Engineering
DATE: November 19, 2001
REPORT NUMBER:OES-034-0 1
SUBJECT:
Pesticide Use
City of Pickering Property
RECOMMENDATION:
1.
That Report OES-034-01 from the Division Head, MW1Îcipal Property &
Engineering regarding pesticide use on mW1Îcipal property be received for
information
2.
That Pickering council endorse the concepts of Integrated Pest Management and
Plant Health Care Program for the City's municipal land holdings
3.
That staff continue to strive to minimize the use of pesticides and incorporate
alternative products and methods into their Plant Health Care program, and
4.
That staff be directed to formalize and promote the Plant Health Care Program
through an education pro gram of public awareness and staff training
ORIGIN :
Resolution #99/01 referred to staff for additional information at the Council meeting of
August 7, 2001.
AUTHORITY:
N/A
FINANCIAL IMPLiCATIONS:
N/A
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
N/A
59
60
-:i.CHt1ENlt,_L TOREPORT# Des 3t1--ú I
--2- at ç' D t N b 19 2001
Report to Council OES-O34-01 a e: ovem er ,
Subject: Pesticide Use
City of Pickering Property
Page 2
BACKGROUND:
At the August 7, 2001 regular meeting of Pickering Council, Resolution #99/01 was
considered and referred to staff for additional infonnation. The resolution refers to a
notice of motion regarding pesticide use within the City of Pickering and reads as
follows:
"WHEREAS pesticides are known to cause serious, adverse human and
environmental health impacts; and
WHEREAS a broad range of alternatives exist to the utilization of
pesticides which are organic and do not have negative impacts upon
surrounding ecology or residents; and
WHEREAS the Corporation of the City of Pickering has committed to the
regeneration of Frenchman's Bay and its associated watershed and
pesticides are a regular source of containments into the Bay; and
WHEREAS many GT A municipalities have successfully banned the use of
pesticides within their jurisdictions;
NOW THEREFORE the City Clerk be directed to report back to Council
for the first meeting of January 2002, with an implementing by-law for
Council to consider that would ban all pesticide use by January 1, 2004
and all municipality-used pesticides by January 1, 2003; and
THAT the City Clerk further include examples of by-laws other GTA
municipalities have adopted with respect to pesticide use and report back
on the success of those initiatives as part of the aforementioned January
2002 report; and
THAT the Director of Operations report back to Council on alternatives to
pesticide use for the City and cost estimates and implementation and
enforcement matters prior to consideration of the implementing by-law in
January,and
THAT the Director of Operations further include in his report options
available to residents if a ban is in place; and
THAT the time prior to the implementing by-law coming before Council
be used for community feedback on the possibility to banning pesticide
use; and
THAT the Region of Durham be requested to consider banning the use of
pesticides on public property it maintains across Durham and prepare for a
potential ban of pesticides it uses in Pickering by January 1, 2003."
è'1EN11" l TO.-~EPORT# () e'~ 3t../-D/
Report to Council OES.O34-01 _,.,.1, (I) h Date: November 19, 2001
Subject: Pesticide Use
City of Pickering Property
Page 3
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is defined as the progressive program for sustaining a
healthy environment. IPM is a decision-making system used to determine whether pest
populations exceed acceptable thresholds; and identifies alternate strategies to manage
problems as they arise. !PM is the process promoted by the Ontario Parks Association,
which is a non-profit organization representing public and industry partners that was
founded in 1936.
IPM is an essential component of a comprehensive Plant Health Care program, which
also includes cultural, mechanical and when necessary, chemical methods to achieve
healthy, sustainable plant life and turf. A combination of pest and plant management
techniques will suppress weeds and insects effectively, economically and
environmentally.
Through a Supreme Court of Canada decision in June 2001, it has been decided that
municipalities have the authority to regulate matters involving the "general welfare" of
municipal habitants, so long as it is done for a genuine purpose and does not contradict
federal and provincial legislation that is currently in place. Tbìs decision, known as the
Town of Hudson case, upholds a municipal by-law enacted by the Town to restrict the
cosmetic use of pesticides in that community. It was determined that the municipal by-
law regulating use of pesticides did not contlict with Federal legislation or Provincial
legislation. The Pest Control Products Act (Federal) governs the import, export, sale,
manufacture, registration, packaging and labeling of pesticides. The Ontario Pesticides
Act (provincial) establishes a classification system for pesticides and regulates the
licensing of vendors, persoÌ1s employed as applicators of pesticides, storage and disposal
of pesticides, and the requirement for notification of pesticide use.
Banning pesticide use on municipal properties, although it is an option, is not necessary
to protect human health. The Federal and Provincial legislations are in place to do that.
However, reducing the reliance on pesticides, limiting its use, using alternative products
and implementing new strategies are where efforts need to be focused. Banning
pesticides would affect municipal risk management, reduce the health, quality and
availability of sports fields, and impact budget requirements.
CitY of Pickerinl! Plant Health Care Prol!ram
The City of Pickering has more than 250 hectares (625 acres) of public land in the form
of active and passive parkland, open spacelhazard land and sports fields. The majority of
the lands are owned by the City, but some are only maintained by the City through
management agreements with TRCA and Hydro One or in partnership with school
boards. The City also has approximately 50 floral areas, 135 shrub beds, thousands of
boulevard and parks trees and over 400km ofrural road boulevard.
The City's goal is to achieve plant and turf growth that is healthy, safe, and resistant to
weed and insect infestation. Healthy growth leads to achieving the aesthetic and
recreational benefits that are enjoyed by the community. The City is worlcing toward a
formal Plant Health Care Program, including Integrated Pest Management to achieve this
61
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Report to Council OES-O34-01 ,-" . 5'. v
" REPORl#~ 34'-01
5- Date: November 19, 2001
62
Subject: Pesticide Use
City of Pickering Property
Page 4
Cultural methods such as increased mowing cycles, longer grass heights, grass cycling to
provide natural moisture and fertilizer, and the installation of irrigation/sprinkler systems
have reduced the dependency on pesticides to generate healthy growth. Proper species
selection of trees and shrubs, and the use of mulch around trees are used as promoters of
growth and suppressors of weeds. The City continues to apply organic fertilizer (non-
chemical) on sports fields, but even these applications have been cut back due to costs.
Pesticide applications have generally been confined to the major sports fields. where
annual herbicide applications of 2-4D (killex) keep weeds under control. Annual weeds
if not controlled, would overtake the turf When the weeds die off, erosion areas are
created that become trip liabilities leading to injury to the public. Recently, an increase in
the presence of grubs in the region has necessitated an annual review and application of
grub control, Merit, to affected areas. The City also applies small amounts of "Round
Up" under bleachers, in some shrub beds, nmning tracks and non-accessible areas, to
eliminate unwanted vegetation.
Boulevard trees such as flowering crab, and ash may receive a dormant oil spray, usually
in February. This light mineral oil application smothers insect eggs that nest over the
winter months.
Conclusions
It has been the practice of the City of Pickering over the last ten years to reduce the use of
pesticides and offset with proper plant health care. Many pesticide applications have
actually been eliminated from our maintenance programs. It is recommended that staff
finalize Integrated Pest Management and a Plant Health Care Program with desired
standards and procedures. Staff will continue to be trained in these practices and seek out
alternatives to pesticides by keeping abreast of new products available and any re-
assessments of existing products.
ATTACHMENTS:
N/A
Prepared By:
Approved / Endorsed By: