HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-05-082 - Pesticide Reduction By-law
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Community Services
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Report To:
Date of Meeting:
Submitted By:
Prepared By:
Ward(s) Involved:
Date of Report:
Report No.:
Subject:
Development & Technical Services Committee
June 27, 2005
Ken Currier, Director of Operations
Tim Ernst, Supervisor of Sportsfield Operations
All
June 21, 2005
CSD-05-082
PESTICIDE REDUCTION BY-LAW
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Development and Technical Services Committee support the rationale for
providing Pesticide Reduction exemptions to the Cemeteries and Sportsfields sections
of the Community Services Department and that the Committee forward these requests
for exemption to the Region of Waterloo for inclusion in their Pesticide Reduction By-
Law.
BACKGROUND:
The Community Services Department is responsible for the operation and maintenance of all of
the Corporations' assets that involve turf. Our golf courses, cemeteries and premier sportsfields
require an elevated level of maintenance to ensure paying customers receive good value for
their fees. The current use of pesticides at all three venues is evaluated regularly and if required
is applied in a controlled manner.
REPORT:
At a previous Environmental Committee meeting (June 14), the Environmental Committee
supported the rationale for pesticide exemptions pertaining to Golf Courses and Sportsfields.
The current initiative by the Region of Waterloo to enact a Pesticide Reduction By-Law has
raised some concerns by several divisions within Community Services. Our Enterprise Division
is responsible for the operation and maintenance of Golf Courses and Cemeteries requires
continued pesticide use as part of an IPM turf program to maintain their standards.
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The draft by-law suggests that golf courses in general receive an exemption from the by-law,
conditional that specific requirements are met. Golf Course staff believe they currently meet or
exceed all of the requirements and are in agreement with the exemption.
The Cemeteries section though would also like to receive an exemption based on the following
rationale:
1. Cemeteries are generally fenced so access is somewhat limited.
2. Pets are not permitted on cemetery grounds.
3. Customers have paid for the right to use space in the cemetery, with high expectations
regarding the level of service provided. Their expectations are intensified because they
are visiting the grave of a loved one. Grounds maintenance becomes an issue of dignity
and respect for the deceased.
4. Pesticide use would be limited to spot applications and other applications would be
based on an annual assessment.
5. All applications would be applied by licenced appliers and subject to the same controls
and documentation included in the golf course exemptions.
The second area of concern comes from the Operations Division, whose responsibility it is to
operate and maintain our premier sportsfields and facilities. These fields are generally used by
elite athletes involved in baseball, soccer, football, fastball, etc. and are the facilities that are
used by the many sports groups that attract major local, regional, provincial and national events
to the community. The level of competition at these events requires a safe, consistent and
durable surface of play.
Our entire inventory of parks and open spaces that are maintained encompass approximately
3000 acres and the premier facilities include about 250 acres, or less than 10% of our total
parkland inventory. Each field when developed costs approximately $250K and annual
operating expenses range from $50-$100K per field so the protection of these sizeable
investments is warranted.
By example, during the last 5 years pesticide spraying has occurred on about 5 fields per year
covering an area of 1.5 acres or much less than 1 % of our inventory. An intensive cultural
sportsturf management program is in practice, thereby reducing the reliance on pesticides to
ensure fields are meeting standard and acceptable for high levels of play.
The Sportsfields Section would also request an exemption from the proposed by-law based on
the following rationale:
1. Premier Sportsfields are fenced with controlled access and are for scheduled use only,
through our sportsfields booking system.
2. User groups pay fees for the privilege of use and the fee structure is based on the field
quality and amenities.
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3. Premier fields are primarily used by competitive athletes and predominantly older age
levels (14+). Risk of injury is greater if fields are not maintained to a competitive level
and quality of play also suffers.
4. Application of pesticides only be applied during scheduled field closures, or off-season.
5. All applications would be applied by licenced applicators under the supervision of the
Supervisor of Sportsfield Operations and subject to the same controls and
documentation included in the golf course exemptions.
It was also noted by Community Services staff that the annual report required to be submitted to
the Region as part of the exemption criteria, be reviewed by persons considered to be Turfgrass
Management professionals. This individual must be educated and trained in Turfgrass
Management in order to properly interpret technical reports so reasonable and fair comments
can be made.
If acceptable personnel are not available among Regional staff, it is suggested the report be
sent for comment to the University of Guelph (Guelph Turfgrass Institute) where the Ministry of
Agriculture and Food Turfgrass Extension Specialist is located to provide a qualified comment
on the report.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no direct financial implications at this time but should turf degradation occur due to
lack of pesticide use our cemeteries are at risk of not providing the level of service the public
expects and revenues could be impacted. The same situation could arise with our sportsfields,
with the decline of turf and field conditions, sports groups could seek to organize their events in
other centers reducing the sports tourism market in the area. There could also be significant
capital renovation costs in future years to return turf to expected quality and standard.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Community Services staff will be present at the June 27th Development and Technical Services
Committee meeting to answer any questions that the committee requests.
Keith Baulk, Acting General Manager
Community Services