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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-061 Pollinator Safe Policies and Practices) RESOLUTION 2015-061 CITY OF STILLWATER RESOLUTION ENDORSING "POLLINATOR SAFE" POLICIES AND PRACTICES, PROMOTING HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT FOR PEOPLE AND POLLINATORS WHEREAS, threats to pollinators concern the entire food system, where pollination provided by honey bees and other essential pollinators account for one in every three bites of food, responsible for the pollination of key crops, including fruits,nuts, berries, melons and many others, and contributing over$19 billion worth of services to U.S. agriculture; and WHEREAS,pollinators including butterflies,honeybees, bumblebees, and native bees are facing annual declines in excess of what is considered normal due to habitat loss,pesticide use, pathogens and parasites; and WHEREAS, research shows multiple interacting causes are contributors to the severe decline of pollinator populations, including pathogens, habitat loss, exposure to pesticides, and synergistic effects of herbicides, fungicides and insecticides; and WHEREAS, scientific evidence around neonicotinoid insecticides including clothianidin, thiamethoxam and imidacloprid is especially compelling and deserves action; and WHEREAS,neonicotinoid pesticides that are harmful to pollinators are harmful to other invertebrates, birds, and aquatic animals. WHEREAS, we find these actions to be in the public interest and demonstrates the city's commitment to a healthy community environment for people as well as pollinators. NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Stillwater: 1) The City of Stillwater encourages healthy environments including food sources, clean water and shelter for pollinators through existing programs and new opportunities. 2) The City of Stillwater including its contractors will consider safe alternatives to pollinator-harming pesticides, and in particular cease the use of neonicotinoid insecticides, where possible on Stillwater City property; and will consider the use of plants or plant seeds that have not been treated with neonicotinoids in its new plantings. 3) The City of Stillwater shall undertake its best efforts to plant pollinator friendly plantings favorable to pollinators and free of systemic pesticides on City properties and land, and enabling citizens to contribute to the efforts of the Stillwater Public Works Department by planting and maintaining pollinator plantings on city property. 4) The City of Stillwater will support efforts to educate the broader community about the action it has taken, the importance of creating and maintaining pollinator-friendly habitat and encourage residents and businesses to use similar pollinator friendly practices. 5) The City of Stillwater will transmit copies of this resolution to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Governor Mark Dayton, State Representatives and Senators, U.S. Representatives and Senators, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Agriculture. 6) The City of Stillwater will publish a Pollinator Friendly City Progress Report on an annual basis. ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF STILLWATER this 7th day of April 2015. 4$41151P Tedd"ozlowski, Mayor ATTEST: 442,ZZ' 4Y l(—)a-*d---- Diane F. Ward, City Clerk Definitions: 1. Pollination Pollination occurs when pollen is moved within flowers or carried from flower to flower to fertilize and produce fruit and seed in flowers, vegetables, shrubs, and trees. 2. Pollinators Including native bees,bumblebees, honey bees, birds,bats, butterflies, moths,beetles,and many beneficial insects, tree frogs, and small mammals. 3. Pollinator friendly Practices that support and increase the pollinator population. 4. Pollinator friendly plants and seeds A plant or seed with attributes that attract pollinators and has not been treated with pesticides. 5. Pesticides An umbrella term for insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. 6. Neonicotinoids (include but not limited to imidacloprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam, dinotefuran, acetamiprid, sulfoxaflor) ' A class of neonicotinoidal systemic insecticides that are taken up by a plant and transported to its leaves, flowers,roots, stems,pollen and nectar and remain active and accumulate in the soil or plant for up to three years. Neonicotinoids are neurotoxins that cause damage to bees and other beneficial insects that also cause impaired memory, altered feeding behavior, difficulty in flight, and death. They impact pollinators and a wide range of beneficial species in soil, vegetation, aquatic and marine habitats. 7. Fipronil This chemical is widely used for turf pest control incorporated in more than 50 pest-killing products and is highly toxic to bees. 8. Integrated Pest Management(IPM) A pest management approach that focuses on long-term prevention of pests by monitoring and correct pest identification. Control methods are biological (i.e. natural predators), cultural (i.e. changing irrigation practices),mechanical and physical controls (i.e. traps, screens,mulch). Pesticides are used only if they are needed and treatments are made with the goal of removing only the target organism. Pest control materials are selected and applied in a manner that minimizes risks to human health, beneficial and non-target organisms, and the environment.