TOWN OF JUPITER DATE: November 19, 2019 TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council THRU: Matt Benoit, Town Manager FROM: David Brown, Utilities Director MB John R. Sickler, Director of Planning and Zoning SUBJECT: Glyphosate Use Reduction –Resolution to call for a reduction in the use of products containing glyphosate by the Town and its contractors and encouraging a reduction in use by the public HEARING DATES: ETF 11/4/19 PZ #19-4030 TC 11/19/19 Resolution #108-19 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Consideration of a resolution recognizing the potential human health and environmental benefits of reducing the use of glyphosate-based herbicides by Town employees and its contractors. Background While glyphosate and formulations such as Roundup have been approved by regulatory bodies worldwide, concerns about their effects on humans and the environment persist, and have grown as the global usage of glyphosate increases. There is a growing belief by some that glyphosate may be carcinogenic. Much of this concern is related to use on food crops and direct exposure via application of the herbicide. In 2015, glyphosate was classified as a probable carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, an arm of the World Health Organization (Attachment A). However, this designation was not without controversy (Attachment B) and it is important to note that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains that glyphosate is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans and is not currently banned for use by the U.S. government (pg. 143, Attachment C). In addition, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences continues to recommend the use of glyphosate as a weed control tool with the caveat that users of these products must carefully read and follow all label directions (Attachment D). There are also some potential environmental impacts of glyphosate as evidenced in studies which conclude that it is toxic to some aquatic species, but the level of toxicity appears to be driven by dosage and application practices. While the evidence linking glyphosate to harmful effects on human health is inconclusive, it is important to reduce potential risks to both residents and the environment whenever possible. Reducing risks is consistent with Policy 1.5.10 of the Conservation Element of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan, which encourages a reduction in the use of fertilizers, pesticides and other potentially harmful chemicals. As the level of public concern has become more elevated, numerous public agencies in Florida have proactively moved to ban or reduce the use of glyphosate. Based on our research this list includes: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ceased using aquatic herbicides, glyphosate chief among them, anywhere in state waters, while the agency gathers public input. Key West, Florida – Key West City Commission banned the use of Roundup on city-owned property. Martin County, Florida – The County Commission has requested all county employees and contractors working on county projects eliminate the use of glyphosate-based herbicides. Miami, Florida – Announced a city-wide ban on glyphosate-based herbicides in February of 2019. Miami Beach, Florida – Passed a resolution banning the use of glyphosate weed killers for landscaping and maintenance work on city-owned property. North Miami, Florida – City Council approved a plan calling for the gradual reduction of pesticide use on city property and a study on alternative pesticides. Satellite Beach, Florida – City Council unanimously approved a resolution that bans the city and its contractors from using glyphosate-based herbicides. Stuart, Florida – City commissioners voted to ban glyphosate, calling for an integrated pest control plan that reduces the use of glyphosate. Alternatives Glyphosate products have already been removed from the maintenance regimes of the Town’s Parks Division as well as the Utilities Department. These departments have switched to alternative products such as Cheetah Pro and SureGuard. They are glyphosate free; however, as with many chemical products, if not applied appropriately they too can result in harm. Cheetah Pro has been used by the Town’s Parks Division over the past year and thus far are very pleased with its effectiveness. However, the type of vegetation needing control in these types of recreation settings and other landscape areas is typically less aggressive and has less of an impact on native ecosystems than the types and sizes of invasive exotic plants encountered in the Town’s open space/preservation areas, which include vines and woody shrubs. Additionally, the fact sheet for Cheetah Pro does not include information about application for habitat restoration and management activities, while the fact sheet for Roundup specifically describes appropriate application of the product for these activities. Glyphosate is the most effective known herbicide for control of invasive exotics commonly found in natural areas, as it allows for targeted application of small quantities, with treatment occurring every three months instead of weekly or bi-weekly as is common on other Town landscape areas and parks. Glyphosate has been utilized as a primary means of maintenance and control of invasive exotic vegetation on the Town’s open space properties. Staff made inquiries and received responses from several contractors that apply herbicides on Town property as to the availability of effective alternatives and how their work would be affected by removing glyphosate from their options. The general consensus is that while there may be effective alternatives for parks and landscape areas that are regularly mowed and maintained, glyphosate remains the most important herbicide to use in natural areas management due to its effectiveness at controlling the types of invasive exotics, without the need for increased volume of chemicals or additional treatment visits. It is also noteworthy that there is minimal human traffic in the portions of the open space properties where these herbicides are used. That being said, the Town staff will now require posting of informational signage at all natural areas during treatment periods. Staff will continue to investigate alternative products for use in open space properties as more research and field study information becomes available, including the potential testing of alternatives on select open space properties. Cost/Effectiveness Based on the information staff received, the alternative herbicides do have a higher cost. The net annual cost increase of mandating the use of glyphosate-fee alternative herbicides in parks, public works and utility applications would be approximately $20,000 or more, depending on the chemical. Town contractors responsible for the maintenance of open space/natural area properties indicated that chemical costs alone for potential alternatives would potentially be 3-4 times greater, resulting in an increase of approximately $16,000 annually. Currently, application of herbicide in the open space properties is quarterly. Due to the types of vegetation being controlled and based on feedback from these contractors, alternatives may not be as effective in the natural setting, potentially resulting in higher amounts of herbicide being necessary as well as more frequent applications. This would result in increased labor costs as well as greater environmental concerns, not only in terms of increased quantities of alternative chemicals applied, but also the potential consequences of the ability to adequately maintain quality native habitat. Reduction/Smart Application The purpose of this resolution is to address concerns related to the use of products containing glyphosate and to reduce the potential hazards of these products on Town owned property by adopting a strategy of elimination, reduction and smart application, combined with an effort to encourage the public and other agencies to reduce the use of these products through education and outreach. This will be accomplished by adopting the following strategies: Elimination - Cease using products containing glyphosate in parks, playgrounds and landscape areas with human traffic; Reduction - Consider potential alternatives that are safe and effective and limit the use of products containing glyphosate to areas of minimal human traffic such as landscape medians and exotic plant management in natural areas; Smart Application - Follow best management practices for the use and application of herbicides (minimize use, prevent over-spray, reduce the potential for runoff by spraying at appropriate times, etc.) and ensure that all applicators, whether Town employees, applicators on Town owned property or contractors licensed to work within the Town, are fully trained and licensed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service, and require that proof of such licensure is provided at time of application for a Business Tax Receipt; Education – Post information about proper herbicide use on the Town’s website and social media sites. Should the Council adopt this resolution, the new requirements would be implemented upon initiation of new contracts, renewal of existing contracts and potentially through modifications to existing contracts. ENVIRONMENTAL TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS Staff presented the proposed resolution and executive summary to the Environmental Task Force at their regularly scheduled meeting on November 4, 2019. The Task Force recommended approval of Resolution 108-19 as written with the