In 2004, the City of Madison revised our policy regarding Pest Management on City properties in an effort to eliminate or further reduce pesticide use to the greatest possible extent. These reductions were sought for environmental as well as public health reasons. So, how is the City doing?
Some departments are doing well and have gotten good comments from the Pest Management Advisory Committee. Particularly, they state:
The committee recommends that Madison Metro be recognized by the Mayor’s office for their improvement in adhering to the City’s Pest Management Policy. The change in pest control vendors to address past problems appears to be a positive move in meeting the goals of the policy.
For other departments such as Motor Equipment (“have improved” and “active in complying”), Parks (“report and plan are very thorough”) and Police (“change in pest control vendors has remedied past problems”and “good use of physical controls”) the Oversight Committee didn’t have any concerns. They only has minor concerns with Public Health and the Senior Center.
On the other hand, for the second year in a row, the following departments did not submit the required reports or plans:
- Monona Terrace
- Community and Economic Development (Real Estate Dept.)
Additionally, this year we had the following problems:
- Fire – No reports or plans submitted
- Housing Operations – No reports or plans submitted
- Streets, West – No reports or plans submitted
- Streets, East – No reports or plans submitted
- Building Inspection – No 2006 plan submitted
- Engineering – No specific data provided on types and amounts of pesticides used in 2005
- Streets, Transfer Station – Needs to list active ingredients on chemical pesticides used
- Parking Utility – Round-Up use at Sayle St may not be in compliance with the policy
I appreciate the efforts of the oversight committee, but these citizens really need some support so that they can do their jobs. One of their findings was that:
The Mayor’s office needs to be involved in requiring non-compliant agencies to submit complete reports on time.
I couldn’t agree more, we need these reports and we need them on time. Given the problems and the numbers of people potentially affected, I hope this is given a high priority.
