January 27, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:
Eric Cárdenas, CCEHP (805) 963-1622
Estelle Foster, PAAC (805) 965-4491

City Council Set To Take Stance On Pesticide Use
Groups Call for Pesticide Free Parks, Public Representation

SANTA BARBARA-Ca.- After three years of hard work, the Environmental Defense Center (EDC), Pesticide Awareness and Alternatives Coalition (PAAC), and the City of Santa Barbara have developed a least toxic Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program to be implemented on all City-owned properties, including parks. The IPM policy, with the City Council’s approval on Tuesday, January 27th, 2004, will immediately result in a drastic reduction in the City’s use of toxic chemicals known to harm human and environmental health.

“By addressing pesticide use on City properties, the City Council has made protecting children’s health and local water quality a priority,” said Eric Cardenas, Director of EDC’s Central Coast Environmental Health Project (CCEHP). “The City must now act to implement an effective program that the community can be proud of.”

The IPM policy as currently proposed calls for the elimination of the most toxic pesticides from all City property, bilingual public notification for any applications in public areas, development of an “Approved List” of acceptable pest management materials, and the creation of an IPM Committee. Under the policy, 12 of the City’s 55 parks will immediately become pesticide free.

Although the policy as written will better protect community members from the risks posed by pesticide exposure, EDC and PAAC believe it needs to go further. Specifically, the policy should include a firm commitment by the City that the ultimate goal is to make all City parks pesticide-free. In addition, Stevens and La Mesa Parks, which are currently excluded from the no-pesticide policy, should be included due to the high number of children that frequent these popular parks and potential impacts to adjacent creeks. Alameda Park is another such park frequented by children and families.

“Twelve completely pesticide-free parks in Santa Barbara is a huge step forward, remarked Estelle Foster, the Executive Director of PAAC. “But we look forward to hearing about the other 43 as well. Our stand is ‘No Spray Where Children Play.’”

The IPM Policy also calls for the creation of an IPM Committee to oversee pest management strategies, develop alternative pest control techniques, and to review successes and failures of the program. However, as proposed, the Committee does not include members of the public, thereby excluding the public from important decision-making processes. To address this issue, EDC and PAAC believe the public must be allowed to have representation on this Committee.

“The City has come a long way to ensure a good program,” said Greg Chittick, a key proponent of the current IPM Policy. “It’s time to adopt the Policy, include public participation formally on the IPM Committee, and move forward to implement the program.”

The EDC is a non-profit public interest environmental law firm working to protect the environment, health, and quality of life of Central Coast residents. CCEHP is a project of the EDC that seeks to raise awareness about health risks posed by pesticide exposure while promoting safer alternatives through education and advocacy.

PAAC is a non-profit organization which is dedicated not only to educate the public and lawmakers about the serious dangers of pesticide use, but also to provide alternative solutions to any perceived need for pesticides. Their vision is to empower healthy, pesticide-free communities.

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