There is a new schedule for the IWMP process:
- POSAC Update, Dec. 5
- POSAC Update, Jan. 25
- POSAC Hearing, Feb. 22
- BOCC Hearings
- March (date TBD)
- April (date TBD)
Tina Nielsen stated that POSAC members may send feedback and edits to staff that are related to grammar, punctuation, and style in the draft plan. Any feedback that is substantive to the policy should be discussed at a public meeting. The final draft will be provided at least eight days prior to the February 22 POSAC hearing.
Public Comments:
Mark Guttridge, Longmont. He owns Ollin Farms. He manages the land without herbicides and pesticides and he is disappointed by the use of chemicals on open space.
Richard Andrews, Boulder County. He lives on an organic farm. He believes the plan is flawed and not based on science. He would like to see pesticides banned.
Don Murray, Longmont. He is a beekeeper and sells products made from his honey from his hives. He does not use toxic chemicals on his farm and in his business. He would like to see nonchemical methods used to control weeds and pests.
James Lissy, Longmont. He spoke against using chemical methods. He believes the plan in its current draft works against nature, not with it.
Shelby Kaminski, Goldhill. She owns Adaptive Solutions. She was pleased to see alternative solutions presented at the open house and she would like to see more of those methods used instead of chemicals.
Olin Harrison Anguiano, Lafayette. He is a student at Peak to Peak High School. The stated the current plan is costly and harmful. He suggested using volunteer groups to remove weeds and looking to students to fill that role.
Rod Brueske, Boulder County. His home is near county open space and claims that his family have been repeatedly chemically trespassed. He stated that the county needs to inform residents before spraying chemicals and the practice should be put up for a vote by residents.
Erin Meschke, Boulder. She spoke against the plan because she believes the chemicals being recommended in the plan are unsafe.
Tim Villard, Longmont. He is an organic farmer and he is confident that alternative methods can be successful in controlling weeds. He stated that the residents take pride in the county's open space lands and the plan should work for the health of these properties.
Erika Whitaker, Boulder. She is a restaurant owner and her restaurants are known for organic and locally sourced foods. Her restaurants will not buy foods that have been contaminated with chemicals and they will end up needing to outsource.
Rubin Anguiano, Lafayette. He would like to see the county use goats to control weeds.
Patricia Butler, Boulder County. She is in support of the plan. For 26 years, she volunteered to control invasive weeds for the USFS. She believes county staff should be allowed to use a full spectrum when treating weeds. Her experience has shown that using volunteers to pull thistle is not enough not help with the problem.
Tess McDonald, Lyons. She is against the plan. She spoke about the drift of chemicals during aerial spraying.
Kathleen Sands, Lyons Climate Action. She is against using herbicides to control weeds.
Michelle Cole, Longmont. She is opposed to aerial spraying. She spoke of possible health problems related to the proposed chemicals. She requested that the county pay for water testing due to exposure to chemicals.
Alex Markevich, Nederland. He sees a flaw in the process of forming the weed management plan by referring only to conventional ways of doing things. He would like to see a more organic approach to weed control by consulting with organic farmers and others who have those skills and knowledge.