Northern Ontario Town First To Ban Pesticide Use
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Northern Ontario Town First To Ban Pesticide Use
Date:
Sun, 10 Nov 2002 07:18:29 -0500
From:
Stephen Tvedten <steve@getipm.com>
Organization: Get Set Inc. (www.getipm.com)
To: Paul Helliker <phelliker@cdpr.ca.gov>
Director, State of California, Department of Pesticide
Regulation
cc: Christine Whitman whitman.christine@epa.gov
Friday November 8, 2002 - Kitchener-Waterloo Record
Northern Ontario Town First To Ban Pesticide Use
BOB BURTT - RECORD STAFF
As the debate over pesticide use in Waterloo Region heats up, the northern Ontario town of Cobalt, with little fanfare, has become the first in the province to ban pesticide use on private property.
The bylaw, which came into effect Nov. 1, prohibits the use of pesticides in the town except for treating swimming pools, to purify water and to control animals or plants that pose a danger for humans.
Farmers are allowed to continue pesticide use, but must present an annual plan to the municipality.
Cobalt has won accolades from anti-pesticide groups across the province.
Pesticide Free Ontario, a network of about 100 individuals and groups, presented the town with the first annual Goldenrod Award for leadership and commitment to pesticide freedom.
In Kitchener, Susan Koswan, a local representative of Pesticide Free Ontario, called on Waterloo Region to follow suit.
"Local municipalities have already virtually achieved their pesticide-free goals on municipal properties. It's time that residents of the region are afforded the same protection on the streets where they live," she said.
The action in Cobalt was driven by concern about drinking water and the lake where the town draws its water.
"We have legislation that prohibits development near the lake and council felt it was prudent to have pesticides banned as well," said Steph Palmateer, the town's chief administrative officer.
Other than letters from a couple of residents and protests from a lawn care company, The Weed Man, and a company that produces 2,4-D, the bylaw passed with little fuss, Palmateer said in an interview from his Cobalt office.
While Cobalt is the only municipality to regulate pesticide use on private property now, there are indications that others may follow the town's lead soon.
OTHER COMMUNITIES INTERESTED
A recent survey of municipalities by the Ontario Pesticides Advisory Committee, indicated 42 communities are considering bylaws to restrict pesticide use on private property.
The same survey indicated that many communities are concerned about enforcement problems and are opting for education and voluntary programs aimed at reducing use.
The survey discovered several municipalities would like to see restrictions imposed by the province instead of having municipalities developing their own bylaws.
Pesticide use has been a controversial issue in Waterloo Region for years, but has received more attention recently.
Last week, people packed into the council chambers at regional headquarters to hear several experts on the subject.
http://www.therecord.com/news/news_02110885837.html
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