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Bloomington sustainability commission delays vote on glyphosate resolution to gather more information
Summary
The Bloomington Commission on Sustainability heard expert and staff testimony about glyphosate use for invasive-species control and postponed a vote until May so commissioners could gather more information and consider possible amendments.
Members of Bloomington’s Commission on Sustainability postponed a vote on a proposed resolution limiting glyphosate use after hearing technical and pragmatic concerns from parks staff and an invasive-species group.
Mary Wells, natural resources manager for Bloomington Parks and Recreation, explained that the city uses glyphosate primarily for nonselective and cut-stump applications to control woody invasive species, noting the herbicide’s systemic action and role in treating resistant invasives such as bush honeysuckle. Ellen Jcart, president of a Monroe County invasive-species group, warned that restricting glyphosate to invasive species could impede routine sidewalk weed control and lead to increased slip-and-fall litigation in other municipalities that had banned the chemical.
Both speakers said the agencies mark treated areas and use signage after application. Commissioners decided to delay the vote until their May meeting to collect more information and consider amendments.
