Environmental Health
Integrated Pest Management - Marin County
After many years of a policy based in Parks and Open Space, in December 1998, Marin County formally adopted an Integrated Pest Management Ordinance and established preliminary goals in order to ensure that pest control activities do not threaten the environment, wildlife, and human health and safety. One of these preliminary goals: reduction of pesticide use by 75% by January 1, 2004, was met early, and many playgrounds had become pesticide free zones although not required by the ordinance. In July 2009, the ordinance was updated to strengthen and expand more specific regulations and goals, including an annually reviewed and approved list of pesticides to be posted on an IPM website, eliminate Category I and II pesticides, reduce the use of Category III and IV pesticides, eliminate carcinogens, reproductive toxicants, endocrine disruptors, carbamates, organophosphates, ground water contaminants, require public notices and monthly recordkeeping, and designate turf grass areas, playgrounds, and picnic areas as pesticide-free zones. A formal exemption process is required for consideration of any products the do not meet the criteria of the Ordinance and Policy.
IPM website has been created and will continue to be improved throughout the year following adoption of the updated ordinance. Public meetings and comment have been widely received. There was a great deal of public interest and concern expressed thorough ad-hoc groups and the Board sub-committee. The public felt that they were heard and that many of their concerns were addressed. Inclusion, transparency and communication throughout the process made a significant difference in public acceptance. Pest Specific Plans and Site Specific Plans are being developed for the most difficult problems and high use areas.
IPM website has been created and will continue to be improved throughout the year following adoption of the updated ordinance. Public meetings and comment have been widely received. There was a great deal of public interest and concern expressed thorough ad-hoc groups and the Board sub-committee. The public felt that they were heard and that many of their concerns were addressed. Inclusion, transparency and communication throughout the process made a significant difference in public acceptance. Pest Specific Plans and Site Specific Plans are being developed for the most difficult problems and high use areas.
Issues/Barriers:
Some of the barriers/challenges include education and understanding for everyone involved. IPM is complex and requires a great deal of knowledge and work; finding the time to commit to those goals has been difficult during times of staff reduction and budget constraints. Active listening and a willingness to compromise helped facilitate discussion. Setting goals and targets also focused discussion in a constructive manner.
None were identified.
The 75% reduction goal set for 2004 was met early due to the dedication of staff and their commitment to the goals of IPM. Involvement from the public and the IPM Commission helped keep the focus on activities and alternatives. As a result, communication, education, and training have all increased for those interested and involved in the process.
Funding in the amount of $100,000 is included in the FY 2009-2010 County Budget to cover all costs for necessary reporting, monitoring, and notice forms, signage, the development of the website, Pest Specific Plans and Site Specific Pest Management Plans for various County of Marin properties, including the Civic Center are included in these funds. Site plans for various facilities open spaces, parks, and landscapes are expected to cost between $7,000 and $20,000. Pest Specific Plans for rodents, yellow jackets, and cockroaches will vary but may cost up to $5,000 per plan. These plans may be done at a lower cost once standards and formats have been developed. IPM Coordinator activities are significant and will impact workloads at varying levels during the year. The Site Specific Pest Management Plans may increase current expenditures by a factor of 5-10 due to additional labor, materials, and equipment costs for advanced design and permanent mulching, mechanical weed control, fire break management, rodent control, and enhanced landscape maintenance around facilities. Up front costs though often high, can result in long term return on investment. The benefits resulting from the use of reduced risk pesticides can be hard to quantify when compared to the immediate cost of hand work vs. spray.
