Commission approves 2014 reduced-risk pesticide list after debate over natural areas data

The San Francisco Commission on the Environment voted to approve the Department of the Environment's 2014 Integrated Pest Management reduced-risk pesticide list for city properties after an extended discussion about usage trends and data quality.

Dr. Chris Geiger, IPM Program Manager, presented the program's history and data: a long-term overall reduction in pesticide use (the presentation cited an 84% reduction since the program began and a 62% reduction since 2010 in reported active ingredient), a 99% reduction in non-public-health insecticide use, and continued herbicide use driven in part by golf tournament needs. Geiger described the database improvements that now make reporting usable and summarized the year's changes to the pesticides list (eight products added, 12 removed, and multiple language clarifications).

During public comment, Rupa Bose (San Francisco Forest Alliance) and others said natural areas showed rising herbicide use and flagged missing months and incomplete reports in the department's records; Bose asked that tank mixes be tracked and that second-generation rodenticides be targeted. Geiger responded that the combined 2010'112 dataset shows natural areas account for a small portion of Recreation and Park pesticide use and described ongoing measures to emphasize prevention, pest-prevention-by-design guidelines, trainings, Bay-Friendly landscaping, and efforts at Harding Park golf to reduce inputs.

After discussion, a motion to approve the reduced-risk pesticide list passed by voice vote. Commissioners and staff noted continued monitoring and invited public participation in monthly IPM meetings.