RESOLUTION N0.______________C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY COUNCILMEMBER ____Jean Quan__________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHEREAS,
in 1997 the Oakland City Council approved the implementation of a
comprehensive Integrated Pest Management (IPM) policy and passed Resolution No.
73968 C.M.S., that prohibits the use of pesticides on City property except as
specifically exempted; and
WHEREAS, the Oakland Fire Department is responsible for reducing wild land fuels through vegetation management in Oaklandís Wildfire Prevention District; and
WHEREAS, Oakland's Wildfire Prevention District is comprised of City owned public open space such as Joaquin Miller Park, Knowland Park, King Estates Park, Dimond Canyon, Dimond Park, rugged canyons, public pathways, fuel breaks, roadsides, medians and steep hillsides; and
WHEREAS, there are areas in Oakland outside the Wildfire Prevention District comparable in topography and vegetation to the established Wildfire Prevention District; and
WHEREAS, the proliferation of non-native trees and shrubs such as blue gum eucalyptus, acacia, broom, and pampas grass creates a continuous fuel bed and fire hazard throughout the Cityís high fire hazard urban/wild land interface; and
WHEREAS, invasive, non-native trees and shrubs have few natural enemies, propagate readily in Oakland's climate and are resistant to eradication or control without the assistance of herbicides; and
WHEREAS, the offending trees and shrubs sprout profusely after hand or mechanical clearing and require cutting several times per year to fully abate growth; and
WHEREAS, the uncontrolled growth of non-native, invasive trees and shrubs constitutes a greater risk to native plant communities and wildlife habitat than does the use of selected herbicides as a component of a strategic vegetation management plan; and
WHEREAS, pulling or mechanically removing weeds is ecologically damaging, as it disturbs soil and creates an inviting seedbed for weeds. Herbicides leave soil intact and undisturbed, making it easier for native plants to survive as well as preventing erosion; and
WHEREAS, the Oakland City Council seeks to improve fire prevention and reduce wild land fuels within the City of Oakland in a cost effective and environmentally sensitive way; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the Oakland City Council hereby grants a limited exemption to the Integrated Pest Management policy by allowing the selective use of glyphosate (in formulations such as Round-up or Rodeo) and triclopyr (in formulations such as Garlon and Pathfinder) on City owned land in the Wildfire Prevention District; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED: That whenever said herbicides are used, they shall
only be painted or applied directly on
the stumps and shall only be used as a
tool of last resort to control the following plant and tree species:
ï all species of Eucalyptus (E. globulus (blue gum), red gum, and others)
ï all species of Acacia (black acacia and silver wattle)
ï all non-native species of Prunus (plum and cherry)
ï all species of Ulmus (elm)
ï Ilex aquifolium (Holly)
ï Maytenus boaria (Mayten)
ï all species of Cotoneaster (C. franchetii, C. lacteus, C. pannosa)
ï all species of broom and gorse: Cytisus scoparius (Scotch broom), Genista monspessulana (French broom), Spartium junceum (Spanish broom) and Ulex europea (gorse)
ï Crataegus monogyna (Italian hawthorn)
ï non-native species of blackberry: Rubus discolor (Himalayan blackberry) and R. ulmifolius (thornless blackberry)
ï Cortaderia selloana and C. jubata (pampas grass, jubata grass), when these plants cannot be removed with a pickaxe.
ï other non-native, invasive species threatening native
plant communities and wildlife habitat identified in the Wildfire Prevention
District annual report;
and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED: That the selective use of herbicides on City owned land in the Wildfire Prevention District shall be implemented in accordance with best management practices, a strategic integrated vegetation management plan and other applicable local, state and federal requirements concerning the safe use of herbicides such as public notification, use of colored dye and return intervals; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED: That the limited exemption to the IPM policy to selectively use herbicides on city owned land in the Wildfire Prevention District shall be expressly limited to undeveloped, non-landscaped areas (excluding developed fields, playgrounds, picnic, and other high use areas); and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Fire Department shall annually prepare a report to the City Council on vegetation management efforts over the past twelve months that includes a detailed account of amounts and types of herbicide used and a vegetation management plan for the upcoming year.