Calistoga council directs Green Committee to study integrated pest management, potential bans

The Calistoga City Council voted unanimously on May 20 to direct the Green Committee to research and develop recommendations for an integrated pest management (IPM) program, including options to limit or phase out use and sale of certain pesticides in city limits.

Green Committee member Jeremy Grove and planning staff presented a proposal urging the city to adopt IPM practices and to consider ending the use of glyphosate and neonicotinoids. Grove told the council that broad-spectrum pesticides can harm pollinators and beneficial organisms and that IPM emphasizes ecological and biological controls, habitat restoration and restricted, permit-based use of chemical products only when necessary.

Council discussion focused on scope and sequencing. Several council members recommended a staged approach: immediate elimination of targeted chemicals from city operations, a buy-back or education program for residential users, stakeholder outreach to agricultural interests and a longer timeline for any mandatory restrictions affecting farms. Vice Mayor Lopez Ortega and others emphasized that the council was not adopting an ordinance tonight but directing the Green Committee to prepare a work plan, including cost and enforcement analysis, outreach to vineyards and retailers, and examples from other cities.

After public comment (mixed; some speakers urged a prompt ban, others urged cost-benefit analysis), the council approved a motion directing the Green Committee to pursue research, stakeholder outreach and draft options that could include phased implementation or an outright ban, and to return with findings and recommendations. The motion passed unanimously.