HomeMy WebLinkAboutres1985-0171
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Draft No. 4 INTRODUCED BY: C. J. Johnson
PROPOSED BY: C. J. Johnson
DATE INTRODUCED: April 4. 1985
RESOLUTION NO. 85 -17
A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR AN ANNUAL INTEGRATED
ROADSIDE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, WHICH
MINIMIZES THE USE OF HERBICIDES AND PROHIBITS THE
USE OF HERBICIDES IN CERTAIN AREAS OF THE COUNTY.
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council has held public hearings on the use
of herbicides as a part of their annual integrated roadside vegetation manage-
ment program; and
WHEREAS, the goals of this program should include. along with its other
goals related to road safety and weed control. the goal of minimizing the use of
herbicides in consideration of the perceived risks posed by herbicides to human
health and safety; and
NOW. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
It is the policy of Whatcom County to minimize the use of herbicides
for vegetation control along road rights -of -way. and to set specific goals and
timetables for minimizing the use of herbicides.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED. that the Whatcom County Council approves the
use of certain herbicides to be utilized in the Public Works annual integrated
roadside vegetation management program in accordance with Chapter 17.21 RCM
under the following conditions:
A. All herbicides used by the Department shall be those fully
registered by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Washington State
Department of Agriculture.
B. All herbicides shall be applied in accordance with the standards
set forth by the State Department of Agriculture.
C. Person or persons responsible for applying the herbicides shall be
licensed by the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Further. the
Department of Public Works shall engage in an on -going program to upgrade the
expertise of its personnel in integrated vegetation management alternatives and
in the selection and safe application of herbicides. The Public Works
RESOLUTION - 1.
Date drafted: 3/29/85
1 Department, in consultation with the County industrial safety officer, shall
2 develop a program to protect the safety of employees and others who work or come
3 in contact with the County's herbicides. and shall develop a written procedures
4 manual covering the selection, storage, transportation, application and disposal
5 of herbicides used by the program.
6 D. At least one week prior to actual spraying, the Department shall
7 give due notification through the news media: radio, local newspapers, and post
8 notices at various public places including, but not limited to post offices,
9 stores, grange halls, fire stations, etc. The notices shall contain the areas,
10 the names of the herbicides to be utilized, the approximate number of miles to
11 be treated, and the person and telephone number to contact for further infor-
12 mation or to register protests. The notices shall also provide information on
13 the right to enter into "Owner Will Maintain" agreements. In addition. the
14 signs shall be conspicuously posted in the area(s) to be sprayed at least one
15 (1) week prior to actual spraying, said signs to include information regarding
16 the anticipated date of spraying, the herbicide(s) to be used. and the roads to
17 be sprayed. Immediately following the use of herbicides, the notices along the
18 roadways shall be changed or altered with a sign stating that spraying has
19 occurred, naming the chemical used. A faithful record of comments and protests
20 received shall be made, preserved and made available to the public.
21 E. The Director of Public Works shall submit annually to the Whatcom
22 County Council a listing of all areas and the names of approved herbicides to be
23 utilized in the annual integrated roadside vegetation management program.
24 F. The plan shall provide for the offering of the non - chemical
25 control portion of the roadside vegetation management plan to private contrac-
26 tors in specific test areas.
27 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Executive, in consultation with a spe-
28 cific and on -going group of interested citizens, shall prepare, annually update
29 and adhere to a long -range integrated vegetation management plan. An
30 "integrated roadside vegetation management plan" is one that advances the com-
31 mitment to implement a variety of vegetation control measures, such as biologi-
32 cal, mechanical, manual, and chemical. It seeks to minimize chemical solutions
RESOLUTION - 2.
Date drafted: 3/29/85
I when possible based upon the level of vegetation infestation, its economic
2 impacts, and an accurate assessment of the economic and ecologic consequences of
3 each type of control. The plan shall identify sensitive geographical areas in
4 the county where spraying shall not take place; the identification of such areas
5 may be initiated by petition of a substantial number of citizens of the area;
6 the criteria for defining such areas shall include such factors as the presence
7 of groundwater, relatively high use by pedestrians or children, and any other
8 criteria the Executive deems appropriate. Such areas shall include:
A. Lake Whatcom Watershed
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N. Lummi Island
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C. North Fork Road
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D. Cornell Creek Road
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13 E. Areas covered by "Owner Will Maintain" agreements
F. All areas within the jurisdiction of the Whatcom County Shorelines
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Management Program.
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G. Other areas that may be exempted by the County Council now or in
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the future.
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18 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the following conditions shall be adhered
19 to by the Department:
20 A. All property owners who do not wish herbicides to be used in front
21 of their property may sign an "Owner Will Maintain" agreement.
B. Ditches will be cleaned by non - chemical means except where only
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23 vegetation is causing a blockage or if additional excavation requires
24 the unnecessary lowering of culverts. These areas may be herbicided only
25 where other means are impractical and uneconomical.
C. Backslopes and frontslopes will be treated by non - chemical means
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27 and maintained so as to retain grasses and other vegetation to prevent erosion,
using herbicides for such maintenance only when other means are impractical
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and /or uneconomical.
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30 D. No County official or employee shall commence any herbiciding on
31 any county roads without the prior written consent of the Director of Public
Works.
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RESOLUTION - 3.
Date drafted (No. 4): 3/29/85
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E. Ongoing testing sites will be established to evaluate various
integrated vegetation management techniques.
PASSED this 4th day of April 1985.
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
ATTEST:
L;aroi toergson
Clerk of the Council
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Randall . Watts
Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
RESOLUTION - 4.
Date drafted (No. 4): 3/29/85
WfLLfA- Pf�RbEF7L
Chairman