REPORT TITLE:
Herbicides in Public Parks


DESCRIPTION:
Requires all state agencies to discontinue use of herbicides and
to maintain public parks with nonchemical means.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                        
THE SENATE                              S.B. NO.           529
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 1999                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                   A  BILL  FOR  AN  ACT

RELATING TO THE USE OF HERBICIDES IN PUBLIC PARKS. 


BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 1      SECTION 1.  The maintenance of Hawaii's public parks
 
 2 presently involves the use of herbicides.  There is growing
 
 3 evidence that the use of herbicides may be harmful to human
 
 4 health and there is growing concern about their contribution to
 
 5 nonpoint source pollution of streams, and coastal and ground
 
 6 water, as well as to soil erosion.  The purpose of this Act is to
 
 7 require that all state and county agencies responsible for the
 
 8 maintenance of public parks, maintain the parks using
 
 9 environmentally sound and aesthetically pleasing, nonchemical
 
10 methods.  This has already been accomplished on the island of
 
11 Hawaii where five county beach parks in Hilo have been maintained
 
12 without herbicides since 1991.  No additional funding was needed
 
13 to accomplish this; therefore, there is no provision in this Act
 
14 for additional funding as it is unnecessary.
 
15      SECTION 2.  Chapter 184, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended
 
16 by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to
 
17 read as follows:
 
18      "§184-     Use of herbicides to be discontinued in the
 
19 maintenance of public parks.  (a)  All state governmental
 

 
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                                     S.B. NO.           529
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1 agencies responsible for the maintenance of public parks shall
 
 2 rely on nonchemical methods to control vegetation growth.
 
 3      (b)  "Nonchemical methods" means:
 
 4      (1)  Using mechanical means such as mowing, side cutting,
 
 5           weed whacking, torch burning, or hot water (steam)
 
 6           applications;
 
 7      (2)  Planting weed resistant low-growing ground cover, or
 
 8           mulching hard to treat areas; and
 
 9      (3)  Utilizing community groups and "adopt a park", as well
 
10           as other work resources for extra hands or special
 
11           projects."
 
12      SECTION 3.  The department of land and natural resources
 
13 shall develop and implement a plan for the phased reduction of
 
14 herbicide use in the maintenance of public parks and report the
 
15 nature and progress of the plan to the legislature twenty days
 
16 prior to the convening of the 2000 regular session.  The
 
17 department of land and natural resources shall encourage and
 
18 assist the counties to join and comply with the scheduled ban of
 
19 herbicide use in public parks.
 
20      SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.
 
21      SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
 
22 
 
23                           INTRODUCED BY:  _______________________