Sandpoint committee reviews draft pesticide and herbicide policy amid safety and practicality questions

The Sandpoint Sustainability Committee spent the bulk of its July 28 meeting reviewing a draft city pesticide and herbicide policy that would limit herbicide use to targeted hardscaped areas, gravel storage zones and the infields of baseball and softball fields while prohibiting applications in waterways.

Community planning and development director Jason Welker, who presented the draft, said the parks division would "prioritize manual removal, when possible" and described the draft principle that "herbicides will be used only when necessary and in a targeted manner." He added the city contracts manual aquatic weed removal and "we spend about $40,000 on manual aquatic weed mitigation." (Jason Welker)

Committee members pressed for clearer definitions of the policy's triggers and whether the draft should name specific products. Several members recommended referencing classes of products or certification standards rather than a brand name so staff retain flexibility as product formulations change.

Public commenters and committee members also urged the city to integrate the policy with existing noxious-weed code and consider nonchemical approaches such as native groundcovers and volunteer removal programs. A resident who identified herself as an Idaho Master Forest Steward described health concerns after a separate herbicide application at Dover Beach and asked the committee to study herbicide-free alternatives.

The committee did not vote on the policy; staff were asked to produce a revised draft for the next meeting. Chair Christine Moon said staff will bring the updated draft back for committee comment ahead of city council review.