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After large public turnout, Orange County supervisors back pilot to phase out routine herbicide use
Summary
In response to widespread public concern about herbicide spraying in creeks, the board directed staff to run pilot studies and continue technical reviews before proposing a full phase‑out; county agricultural investigators said four investigations are ongoing and expect initial findings in about 3–4 months.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors on June 9 directed staff to pursue pilot studies and technical analysis to evaluate alternatives to routine herbicide spraying in county waterways following several months of public complaints and letters from state regulators.
Vice Chair Foley introduced the item to develop a formal plan to phase out routine herbicide use and to return to the board with a 90‑day status update and a fuller implementation plan. The proposal drew 25 public speakers, including advocacy groups (Surfrider Foundation, Orange County Coastkeeper, Creek Team), scientists and residents who described visible creek die‑offs and alleged failure to document applications.
Bethany Nelms of Creek Team summarized concerns: “Glyphosate is not the answer. Blanket spraying of probable carcinogens and destroying habitat should not be our default approach when better options exist.” Multiple speakers asked the board to limit applications, improve transparency and study safer alternatives.
County Agricultural Commissioner Jose Arriaga said his office had consolidated complaints into four investigations conducted with the California Department of Pesticide Regulation and other agencies. “I anticipate no earlier than three to four months we would have the investigations completed,” he said.
Public Works staff described a limited set of pilot activities already under review and emphasized the technical complexity: changes to vegetation can affect channel hydraulics and flood threat. Staff estimated that fully substituting non‑chemical methods could raise annual vegetation‑management costs from roughly $4 million to as much as $18 million, a figure that the board asked staff to refine through pilots and third‑party review.
The board voted to proceed with pilot studies in selected waterways and to continue the agency’s technical work (items 2–8 in the staff outline). Supervisors stressed the need to coordinate with federal and state regulators, the Army Corps and FEMA on channels where the county manages parts of federally constructed infrastructure.
Next steps: OC Public Works and OC Parks will run pilot work in selected creeks, continue third‑party review of the integrated pest management program, and return with progress reports and cost estimates as directed.
