§ 15.75.025. Pesticide-free program restrictions for municipal parks, public lands and properties.
No person or entity shall apply pesticides within municipal parks, public lands, greenbelts, municipal properties that are open to the public, or rights of way, except in compliance with this section. The Municipality of Anchorage shall follow the precautionary approach to the use of toxic pesticides in order to prevent harm to human health and the environment.
A.
Allowed pesticides may be used with no prior consultation or approval from the department director or designee.
B.
Non-allowed pesticides may be used only under the following circumstances in the determination of the department director or designee, and then only as a last resort after non-pesticide means of control are deemed inadequate: (1) when pests present a health or safety hazard; (2) to treat invasive species that have potential for causing environmental harm; or (3) for a specific research purpose. The department director or designee will respond to a completed request for the use of a non-allowed pesticide within ten working days using these criteria:
1.
Non-allowed pesticides shall not be used for aesthetic purposes.
2.
If non-allowed pesticides are necessary to meet a health or safety pest hazard, an invasive species problem, or for research purposes, the department director or designee will make a written determination of exception approving the application and identifying the circumstances and failure of the non-pesticide means of control. For use of single application aerosol cans against biting or stinging insects when applied according to label directions, a written determination from the department director is not required.
3.
Any approved application will use the least toxic formulation at the recommended effective amount based on the product label and environmental conditions with the least potential for human exposure.
4.
A non-allowed pesticide may not be applied within 150 feet of an anadromous or resident fish habitat or within 600 feet of a public or private water source that is used for human consumption unless:
(a)
Conditions of sections 15.75.025 and 15.75.065 are met; and
(b)
The department director or designee determines that the application will not harm anadromous or resident fish habitat and will not harm a public or private water source that is used for human consumption.
C.
Preventative methods will be to address pest problems. Pest infestation and pest problems on municipal property shall be managed with an ecosystem-based integrated pest management strategy that focuses on long-term prevention of pests and their damage through a combination of techniques such as biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and resistant varieties. Pesticides will only be used after monitoring indicates they are needed according to guidelines set forth in this section that meet pest management objectives and minimize environmental disturbances, exposure to pesticides, pesticide residues, human health and safety risks, and the health and safety of wildlife. It is the policy of the Municipality of Anchorage to take the following preventive measures to eliminate pest-conducive conditions and provide pest control on municipal public land, including but not limited to:
1.
Lawn, turf, and landscape practices will foster healthy conditions that minimize pest problems. These can include lawn aeration, de-thatching practices that keep the grass less susceptible to insects, disease and weather stress, and maintaining a proper pH for the soils.
a.
Use of invasive plant species is prohibited in all planting projects on municipal properties. Well-adapted, pest-resistant, and non-invasive grass and landscape plant varieties, identified as suitable for the Anchorage climate, will be used for future plantings to support pest mitigation.
b.
Soil sampling and analysis will be conducted to evaluate and assess the level of care needed to maintain healthy soil for a municipal facility's lawn, turf, or landscape.
c.
Use certified materials such as straw, gravel, and topsoil that are free of weeds, pests, and disease.
d.
Inspect all live plant materials in potting medium. If invasive plants, undesirable weeds, plant diseases, or insect pests are present, do not allow the planting of those plants.
2.
When a pest population is discovered, the population will be monitored to assess the population size, habitat, and whether or not a natural enemy population is nearby.
a.
Practices and decisions that could affect and deter pest populations will be identified using integrated pest management methods.
b.
Records will be maintained of monitoring, practices, and decisions.
3.
The methods to prevent, control, and meet pest problems include but are not limited to:
a.
Cultural methods: Cultural methods include, but are not limited to, selective pruning, appropriate watering, application of fertilizers free of non-allowed pesticides, and plant selection. Cultural methods of vegetation and pest control are preferred for prevention and will be employed first.
b.
Mechanical methods: Mechanical methods include, but are not limited to, hand removal of pests and disease-infected plants, use of barriers and traps, hydro-axing and steaming. Mechanical methods of vegetation and pest control shall be employed to augment cultural methods when and where practicable.
c.
Biological methods: Biological controls include, but are not limited to, the augmentation of insect predators, inoculation of bacterial agents, and conservation of naturally occurring predators. Biological methods of vegetation and pest control shall be employed to support cultural and mechanical methods when and where practicable.
(AO No. 2017-59 , § 2, 4-11-17)