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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-01-21ENV~1998-01-21-SPE JANUARY 21, 1998 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER A Special Meeting of the Environmental Committee was held this date commencing at 4:05 p.m. under the Chairmanship of Councillor Jake Smola, with the following members present: Councillor M. Yantzi, Ms. D. Luhowy, Ms. A. Coffey and Messrs. P. Kay, J. Kay and K. Cenerelli. Councillor T. Galloway, Councillor J. Haalboom, Councillor J. Ziegler and Ms. D. Hartman were in attendance for part of the meeting. Officials Present: Ms. D. Arnold and Messrs. D. Daly, B. Stanley, G. Hastings and G. Sosnoski. The purpose of this special meeting was to further discuss the reports and submissions provided by staff and delegations leading to a recommendation for approval by City Council. 1. PESTICIDE USE ON CITY LANDS Dr. Gerald Stephenson, Professor and Acting Chair, Environmental Biology, Ontario Agricultural College - University of Guelph, was in attendance and gave a presentation on research he has conducted for the Ministry of the Environment in respect to chemical spraying and the use of 2-4- D. Dr. Stephenson advised that he is a vocal proponent of integrated pest management programs and is in favour of a 100% reduction in unneeded pesticide spraying. Dr. Stephenson outlined a study involving persistence and human exposure to 2-4-D. He explained that 5-6% of the 2-4-D application was found to be dislodgable, but that within 1-2 days after watering this percentage decreased to less than 1%. It was noted that acceptable daily intake exposure to this chemical is 3/10 of a milligram per kilogram per day for the life of the individual and that professional pesticide applicators were tested at 1/100 of the acceptable level, with bystanders living in the homes treated showing no detectable levels of exposure. Dr. Stephenson further outlined an experiment involving simulated use of a park within one hour of treatment. The results of testing using five volunteers showed that three had detectable residue levels and two had no detectable residues. Dr. Stephenson further added that the tests showed there was slightly greater than 1/100 of the acceptable intake for volunteers having the greatest exposure, and that one day after treatment there were no detectable residues. Dr. Stephenson explained that the oral toxicity of 2-4-D is about 1/3 of phenol, an ingredient commonly used in sore throat sprays. Councillor M. Yantzi enquired as to whether Dr. Stephenson felt there was a value in reducing pesticide use, and he repeated his earlier comment that he was in favour of logical reductions culminating in 100% reductions of unneeded pesticides and inappropriate applications. Mr. P. Kay referred to various confounding factors involving the combination of different toxic substances and referred to the statistically small sample used in Dr. Stephenson's study. Mr. Kay also enquired whether any other studies supported the results obtained by Dr. Stephenson. Dr. Stephenson referred to the Moody Study, and noted that the worst case scenario in regard to chemical exposure would likely be in the Province of Saskatchewan which has the highest percentage of 2- 4-D use in Canada. He noted that the incidence of cancer in rural residents there was either lower or not significantly higher than their urban counterparts. He suggested that the weight of evidence does not place 2-4-D in the category of a high cause of cancer. Ms. D. Hartman and Councillors T. Galloway and J. Haalboom entered the meeting during the course of the presentation. Dr. Stephenson left a portfolio of study material, copies of which were circulated to D. Daly, G. Hastings, L. Neil and Councillor Jake Smola. In response to a question from Ms. Coffey, Mr. Daly advised that the grass in Victoria Park was sprayed once in 1997, and the rose garden was treated three times in that year for blackspot. Councillor J. Haalboom questioned comments made by Ms. Wendy Rose of the Urban Pest Management Council of Canada at an earlier meeting concerning injury rates on untreated grass surfaces. Ms. Rose, who was in the audience this date, advised that several studies suggest that untreated grass surfaces result in a 40% increase in sports related ankle injuries. Councillor M. Yantzi enquired as to the amount of money spent by the City on pesticides and herbicides, and Mr. Daly replied that for general parkland the total amount would be less than $1,000 in 1997, a dramatic decrease from amounts used by the City in the past. Mr. Hastings ENVIRONMENTAL COMMII-FEE MINUTES JANUARY 21, 1998 -6- CITY OF KITCHENER 1. PESTICIDE USE ON CITY LANDS (CONT'D) advised that in regard to the golf courses, there is a chemical purchase budget for each course of approximately $13,000. Mr. P. Kay questioned the outcome were the City not to use any chemical sprays, and Mr. Daly replied that high maintenance areas would be significantly affected over time, especially sports fields having traditionally high use. Mr. Daly clarified that at present the staff use minimal applications to ensure minimal infestation of weeds. Mr. Hastings added that the outcome would be more catastrophic for golf courses in that a rapid visible deterioration would likely occur, and significant expenditures would be involved to maintain the property using other cultural means of control. He explained that in extreme cases, and given the proper temperature, golf greens could be destroyed by fungus in approximately 48 hours. Councillor J. Ziegler entered the meeting at this time. Mr. J. Kay noted that over the past 10 years significant steps have been taken toward naturalization and the reduction of pesticide use and referred to the fact that 10 years ago greater than 50% of chemicals found in the Great Lakes came from lawn care products. Mr. Kay expressed concern over the cumulative, long term effects of exposure which may not be detectable until the third or fourth generation. He also expressed concern over the percentage of the population which is susceptible to total allergy syndrome, instances of which are on the rise. He explained his general concern over the use of chemicals, specifically the synergistic effects of combining different unrelated products. He indicated that he would personally be happy to see a complete ban on use of lawn spray chemicals and believes in a precautionary principle that if there is reasonable doubt as to the health impact of chemical sprays there use should be discontinued. Mr. Kay also referred to the fact that in 1988 the City of Kitchener used 2,200 litres of chemical sprays and in 1997 used only 46 litres. Mr. J. Kay cautioned against an immediate elimination of all herbicides and pesticides as traditionally this has resulted in a greater problem and an increased use of these chemicals. He suggested that gradual elimination is the best strategy and expressed an interest in striking an appropriate balance. Mr. Kay suggested the development and adoption of a policy of striving toward a decrease in chemical use, ultimately leading to complete elimination. He suggested that if people were notified of spraying times and the circumstances and nature of chemicals, they would have the option of not being present when the spraying took place. Mr. Kay also suggested that an annual report be prepared by City staff and be tabled with the Environmental Committee outlining the amount of pesticides and herbicides used in that year along with the reason for spraying and the steps being taken to further reduce the necessity of spraying. Councillor T. Galloway agreed with the suggestions of Mr. J. Kay and suggested that these be considered in conjunction with the staff recommendation. He pointed out two additional issues: namely, the feasibility of a complete ban on spraying in all or part of Victoria Park; and, the issue of stewardship. In regard to the latter he suggested that stewardship could be encouraged through educational programs and neighbourhood based initiatives. Councillor Galloway expressed an interest in bringing forward a recommendation incorporating both the comments of Mr. J. Kay and the previous staff recommendation. Councillor J. Haalboom suggested that a community centre could also be used as a pilot project. Ms. Coffey suggested posting signs recognizing individuals who maintain a pesticide free lawn and Councillor Jake Smola added that this could be incorporated into the handbook presently under development. Following discussion it was agreed that staff would consider and report on the following: · A policy and strategy of moving toward a complete elimination of the use of pesticides and herbicides on City owned lands; · A program to notify area residents how and when spraying of public lands is to take place in order that they may avoid the area at that time; · Tabling of an annual staff report to the Environmental Committee outlining the amount and type of chemicals used in that year, the reasons for spraying and the steps taken to further reduce the need to spray; 1. PESTICIDE USE ON CITY LANDS (CONT'D) · In conjunction with Councillor M. Yantzi, explore the feasibility of a complete ban on chemical ENVIRONMENTAL COMMII-FEE MINUTES JANUARY 21, 1998 -7- CITY OF KITCHENER spraying in all or part of Victoria Park and treating of such a ban as an experimental and educational initiative; · Integrating the above suggestions and other comments of Mr. J. Kay this date with the three previous staff recommendations as outlined in the report of Mr. D. Daly dated December 27, 1997 for further consideration by the Committee and submission to City Council for ratification. 2. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. G. Sosnoski, Manager of Corporate Records/Assistant City Clerk