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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPesticides & Fertilizers Southold Town Policy For the Use of Pesticides & Fertilizers January 17, 2012 Pesticide Use: The policy of the Town of Southold for the use and application of pesticides related to Town operations and municipal properties is to: "conserve, improve, and protect the Town's natural resources and environment, and control or limit the use of pesticides to the maximum extent practical, in order to enhance the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the Town and their overall economic and social well being." The Town will utilize the New York State Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program as developed by New York State and Cornell University for the prevention, suppression and/or eradication of pests that may be causing problems at municipal facilities and/or Town properties. These practices will take into consideration the ecology of the environment as well as all relevant interactions that the Town's pest management practices may have upon the environment in areas where one or more pest problems may exist. For details on the IPM Program please visit the website at: www. nysipm.cornell.edu. The key elements of the IPM Program developed by New York State and Cornell University are as follows: Step 1: Be prepared. What pests can you expect and how can you avoid them? Learn which tactics work--and under which conditions--should pests show up. Learn about the beneficial organisms that can help you out. Step 2: Think prevention. It's the first step in IPM. · keep pests out: caulk and seal cracks and holes from cellar to attic; · don't feed pests: keep it clean, inside and out; and · keep plants and lawns healthy so they resist pests better. Step 3: No surprises. Scout routinely, keeping tabs on potential pests. Know your threshold--the point when a few pests become a few too many. Step 4: Think strategy. Every tactic costs something. Will your benefits justify the costs? Know all the options before you commit. Integrated pest management rarely relies on just one tactic--it integrates tactics to prevent pests entirely or reduce them to levels you can live with. Step 5: Choose and use. Choose tactics and tools that provide the best results while keeping environmental costs as Iow as possible and staying within your budget. Whatever option you settle on-- do it right! Step 6: Think again. How did it work? What did you learn? How much has the situation changed? The Town's Highway Department & Department of Public Works shall be the only Town departments authorized to apply pesticides and shall review the NYS IPM Program on a regular basis for any updates or additional tools that are made available. These departments will utilize Town personnel who are certified commercial pesticide applicators and/or technicians registered with the DEC and who have maintained their licenses in good standing. These certified individuals will be responsible for the use and required recordkeeping related to pesticide use. All pesticide use will comply with DEC & SCHD Regulations. Fertilizer Use: The policy of the Town of Southold for the use and application of fertilizers related to Town operations and municipal properties is to control or limit the use of fertilizers to the maximum extent practical in an effort to reduce nitrogen pollution in Southold Town. To accomplish this goal, the Town of Southold will incorporate the Suffolk County Fertilizer Reduction Initiative into Town Policy (Suffolk County - Local Law No. 41-2007, a Local Law to reduce Nitrogen Pollution by reducing the use of fertilizers in Suffolk County). The elements of this plan shall, but not be limited to, the following: · Town-wide ban on the municipal application of all fertilizers between November 1 and April 1. This is a period where the ground is likely to be too cold to absorb nutrients, resulting in increased leaching of nitrogen into the groundwater and surface waters. · A ban on use of all fertilizers on all Town properties, with the exception of athletic fields, municipal buildings, nature preserves, flower beds and plantings. · The Town will mirror the County's Organic Parks Maintenance Plan, which uses the minimum amounts of slow-release fertilizers needed and limits fertilizer application rates to 3 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. over sports playing fields.