East Bay Regional Park District Program: July, 2019
East Bay Regional Park District Program:
July 16, 2019
Behind the Scenes of EBRPD Passing Resolution to Ban Roundup (Glyphosate)
The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) Board of Directors has voted unanimously to ban the weed killer, glyphosate, immediately from all picnic areas and from all developed areas by the end of 2020 (developed areas include lawns, sports fields, campgrounds, paved trails, parking lots, beaches and concession areas). The resolution was led by Director Rosario, elected in 2016 with an ardent goal to reduce pesticide usage.
In July, 2017 the State of California listed Glyphosate as a known human cancer-causing chemical following the March, 2015 World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Committee listing of Glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen based upon many peer-reviewed studies.
PASE Steering Committee members individually endorsed Dionysis Rosario during the 2016 election based upon his progressive platform and subsequently the Lamorinda Democratic Club also endorsed the candidate, clinching his election.
Calpirg, AFSCME local 2428 employees union that includes park rangers, EBRPD’s Park Advisory Committee, Contra Costa County Climate Leaders (4CL) and Parents for a Safer Environment (PASE) representatives spoke in favor of the resolution among other individuals. The District received numerous letters also in favor of the resolution.
“In 2015, PASE first evaluated pesticides applied by the District in 2013-2014, resulting in disturbing findings. Sharing results with staff and Directors began the work towards pest solutions that protect the public, applicators, pets, wildlife & the environment,” says Susan JunFish, MPH Director of Parents for a Safer Environment.
Confusion about US EPA not classifying glyphosate as a known human carcinogen was addressed by speakers who pointed out that court documents revealed pesticide industry affiliated members sat in the US EPA committee that addressed the toxicity of glyphosate. Misunderstanding about the safety of a carcinogen based on dosage was disabused by Parents for a Safer Environment's Director, Susan JunFish. "Dose Makes the Poison" is an outdated understanding of toxicity. Research in the past 20 years have concluded that there are so far, several categories of toxins that have no safe levels of exposure. The smallest levels measurable, even at parts per trillion, have been shown to trigger disease in human tissue culture cells by carcinogens, hormone disruptors, and reproductive toxins.
In addition alternative methods of vegetation (weed) control listed by EBRPD staff, Susan JunFish shared that Dr. Cheryl Wilen of the UC Cooperative Extension Program conducted successful pilot trials in Long Beach with the Weedtechnics steaming device, concluding that steam weeding is an effective tool and recommended it also for seed bank reduction.
PASE invites public agencies and individuals to not only reduce the use of glyphosate, but of all pesticides that can be even worse based on inherent toxicity and/or method of treatments. “A growing number of agencies such as the University of California, City of Concord and Mt Diablo Unified School District have recently restricted Glyphosate,” says Mei Collins of Calpirg. “It’s a great start, but entire pest control programs must be reviewed, starting with pesticide usage tracking system and control protocols,” says JunFish.
For the past 18 years, PASE has worked to change many agencies’ policies to ensure that pest control programs are transparent, accountable, and collaborative while analyzing pesticide usage, providing sustainable solutions, and piloting trials.
April, 2017 Status of EBRPD: The District is using very high risk practices where children, pets, and wildlife are likely to be exposed. We met with staff in April, 2016 and provided a presentation on the toxicity of the pesticides they are utilizing and safer alternatives. They agreed to stop purchasing and applying Surflan, with the active ingredient Oryzalin. It was being applied under picnic tables, base of drinking fountains and trees where children and pets play. We were advised that staff will finish applying as planned and use up the stock of material.
EBRPD does not know who all their contractors are, what pesticides contractors are applying, how much, or where they are treating.
We have no indication at this time when they will provide us with the data. It has been over 2 years.
PASE's Director provided our written concerns at the August 9th EBRPD's Board Meeting and asked that we are placed on a future Agenda to provide a presentation to describe in more detail the degree of the problem, what we propose, and least toxic alternatives that are working at large municipalities such as the Counties of Marin, San Francisco, and Santa Clara County.
Over a dozen community members presented concerns about EBRPD's use of herbicides and rodenticides, including the Director of PASE. One filmmaker video-recorded the public comment period provided, only 1 minute per person.
The Director of PASE was invited to speak to the Cultural Committee of the EBRPD Board in March, 2017 and gave a 25 min presentation on our key concerns and recommendations that were well received by the 3 Board members. We will see how this Committee will support policy change of operations in landscape maintenance. The ppt presentation will be uploaded when we have time.
July 16, 2019
Behind the Scenes of EBRPD Passing Resolution to Ban Roundup (Glyphosate)
The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) Board of Directors has voted unanimously to ban the weed killer, glyphosate, immediately from all picnic areas and from all developed areas by the end of 2020 (developed areas include lawns, sports fields, campgrounds, paved trails, parking lots, beaches and concession areas). The resolution was led by Director Rosario, elected in 2016 with an ardent goal to reduce pesticide usage.
In July, 2017 the State of California listed Glyphosate as a known human cancer-causing chemical following the March, 2015 World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Committee listing of Glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen based upon many peer-reviewed studies.
PASE Steering Committee members individually endorsed Dionysis Rosario during the 2016 election based upon his progressive platform and subsequently the Lamorinda Democratic Club also endorsed the candidate, clinching his election.
Calpirg, AFSCME local 2428 employees union that includes park rangers, EBRPD’s Park Advisory Committee, Contra Costa County Climate Leaders (4CL) and Parents for a Safer Environment (PASE) representatives spoke in favor of the resolution among other individuals. The District received numerous letters also in favor of the resolution.
“In 2015, PASE first evaluated pesticides applied by the District in 2013-2014, resulting in disturbing findings. Sharing results with staff and Directors began the work towards pest solutions that protect the public, applicators, pets, wildlife & the environment,” says Susan JunFish, MPH Director of Parents for a Safer Environment.
Confusion about US EPA not classifying glyphosate as a known human carcinogen was addressed by speakers who pointed out that court documents revealed pesticide industry affiliated members sat in the US EPA committee that addressed the toxicity of glyphosate. Misunderstanding about the safety of a carcinogen based on dosage was disabused by Parents for a Safer Environment's Director, Susan JunFish. "Dose Makes the Poison" is an outdated understanding of toxicity. Research in the past 20 years have concluded that there are so far, several categories of toxins that have no safe levels of exposure. The smallest levels measurable, even at parts per trillion, have been shown to trigger disease in human tissue culture cells by carcinogens, hormone disruptors, and reproductive toxins.
In addition alternative methods of vegetation (weed) control listed by EBRPD staff, Susan JunFish shared that Dr. Cheryl Wilen of the UC Cooperative Extension Program conducted successful pilot trials in Long Beach with the Weedtechnics steaming device, concluding that steam weeding is an effective tool and recommended it also for seed bank reduction.
PASE invites public agencies and individuals to not only reduce the use of glyphosate, but of all pesticides that can be even worse based on inherent toxicity and/or method of treatments. “A growing number of agencies such as the University of California, City of Concord and Mt Diablo Unified School District have recently restricted Glyphosate,” says Mei Collins of Calpirg. “It’s a great start, but entire pest control programs must be reviewed, starting with pesticide usage tracking system and control protocols,” says JunFish.
For the past 18 years, PASE has worked to change many agencies’ policies to ensure that pest control programs are transparent, accountable, and collaborative while analyzing pesticide usage, providing sustainable solutions, and piloting trials.
April, 2017 Status of EBRPD: The District is using very high risk practices where children, pets, and wildlife are likely to be exposed. We met with staff in April, 2016 and provided a presentation on the toxicity of the pesticides they are utilizing and safer alternatives. They agreed to stop purchasing and applying Surflan, with the active ingredient Oryzalin. It was being applied under picnic tables, base of drinking fountains and trees where children and pets play. We were advised that staff will finish applying as planned and use up the stock of material.
EBRPD does not know who all their contractors are, what pesticides contractors are applying, how much, or where they are treating.
We have no indication at this time when they will provide us with the data. It has been over 2 years.
PASE's Director provided our written concerns at the August 9th EBRPD's Board Meeting and asked that we are placed on a future Agenda to provide a presentation to describe in more detail the degree of the problem, what we propose, and least toxic alternatives that are working at large municipalities such as the Counties of Marin, San Francisco, and Santa Clara County.
Over a dozen community members presented concerns about EBRPD's use of herbicides and rodenticides, including the Director of PASE. One filmmaker video-recorded the public comment period provided, only 1 minute per person.
The Director of PASE was invited to speak to the Cultural Committee of the EBRPD Board in March, 2017 and gave a 25 min presentation on our key concerns and recommendations that were well received by the 3 Board members. We will see how this Committee will support policy change of operations in landscape maintenance. The ppt presentation will be uploaded when we have time.
