[BoulderCouncilHotline] Glyphosate application on Open Space?????

[Morzel, Lisa]

Today my 23-pound close-to-the-ground Leila took her guardian on a walk along Four Mile Canyon Creek Greenway. In the Open Space portion we came across an open space and mountain parks employee spraying the vegetation along the north side of the Greenway. I asked her what she was spraying; she responded she was cleaning out with water the remainder of her spray.  I asked what she had been using and what she was spraying. She responded she was using glyphosate (Rodeo) and was only spot spraying, not broadly applying, to an invasive weed called oat grass. I said I was very surprised that the city was still using glyphosate as I thought we had banned that years ago. She emphasized she was just spot spraying and it was permissible to use in that situation. I asked isn't the department considering less toxic materials and are there not alternatives???  She responded yes there are alternatives and the city is considering them. 
She was merely doing her job and doing what she was told to do and was very responsive to my questions which I appreciate. 

Questions I have: 
how is it that the city is using glyphosate anywhere on our city-owned properties????  Especially when there are other non-toxic alternatives. 

What do I need to do as a councilmember to remove the use glyphosate on all of our city owned properties?  I am really concerned this is a continuing practice in the city by the city and I want this use eradicated. 

For those not familiar with the 4 mile Canyon Creek Greenway, it is the highly used trail and a full 4 mile Canyon Creek flows on the south side. Hundreds of people walk along there weekly including babies in strollers, toddlers walking, small children, elderly people, lots of dogs, lots of runners and bicyclists. In the creek currently there are pairs of Mallard ducks looking for nesting sites as well as loons. All of the beings are currently exposed to the toxic effects of glyphosate. While this stretch of the trail allows for tagged well-behaved dogs to be off leash, I immediately put Leila on her leash   

Also there was no posted notice of spraying activity. (At least I did not see any. ). That is not okay either especially for chemically sensitive individuals. How was this not posted?

Really???? In Boulder??? I request non-toxic alternatives to be used and a stop to the use of glyphosate by the city of Boulder. 

Thanks. I look forward to a response. 

Lisa

Lisa Morzel
Boulder City Council Member

303-815-6723 c
303-938-8520 h