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Council pauses Towser Apiaries permit after residents raise ecological concerns
Summary
Council pulled consent item on a multi-year apiary agreement at the wastewater spray fields after multiple residents urged more stakeholder outreach and biological review. Staff and council agreed to postpone the item so staff can consult volunteers planting the nearby community forest and local ecologists.
The St. Helena City Council removed a proposed multi-year agreement with Towser Apiaries from the consent calendar on May 13 after public comment raised concerns about the hives'location and impact on native pollinators.
Director Leach told the council Towser Apiaries has kept bee hives at the wastewater treatment plant spray fields for two years under informal permits; the new contract would formalize the arrangement, add termination clauses and a $500 fee, and set the hives in a relocated area farther from the community forest. Leach said the move was coordinated internally to reduce conflicts with community planting projects.
Several public commenters urged further study before a formal agreement. Elaine DeMann, speaking as a California naturalist and climate steward, said honey bees can compete with native pollinators, spread pathogens and prefer nonnative plants, potentially harming the native-plant restoration work underway in the community forest. DeMann asked that staff consult the local volunteers planting the community forest and local biologists before final action.
Councilmembers and staff agreed to pause the consent item and seek further input. Director Leach said staff believed they had coordinated with volunteer Paul Asmuth but would reconfirm and bring more information back to council.
Ending: The council postponed action on the Towser Apiaries contract for further stakeholder outreach and additional information. No contract was approved May 13.
