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MEMORANDUM <br /> May 4, 1989 <br /> TO: Senate Ag.& Natl. Resources Subcommittee on Toxic Substances <br /> FROM: Tim Rhay, City of Eugene, Parks Services Division <br /> SUBJECT: Weed and Pest Management in City of Eugene Parks <br /> Your interest in integrated weed and pest control methods is commendable. <br /> Eugene has earned an international reputation in this field. By employing IPM <br /> methodology, we have been able to dramatically reduce chemical pesticide use <br /> without compromising maintenance standards, public safety or cost - efficiency. <br /> We are pleased to share our success story with your subcommittee today. <br /> Weed and pest control activity using non - chemical or chemical means is under- <br /> taken as part of our integrated pest management (IPM) program which is, in <br /> turn, only one facet of the concept of holistic landscape maintenance. Brief- <br /> ly, the holistic concept recognizes the interaction between the various plant <br /> care programs and environmental factors that come into play at a given site <br /> rather than treating a single program (irrigation, soil fertility, pest con - <br /> trol, etc.) as an end unto itself. The resultant effort to coordinate maint- <br /> enance programs is not only beneficial to the plant materials involved, but <br /> also helps to minimize maintenance requirements and eliminate duplication of <br /> effort. <br /> When weed or pest control is necessary, it takes place within our seven IPM <br /> guidelines: <br /> 1. No action is taken until /unless a problem is observed and verified. <br /> 2. The problem must exceed the acceptable level of damage (A.L.D.) <br /> 3. Alternative methods of control will be evaluated. <br /> 4. The effective method(s) with the least "non- target" impact will <br /> be utilized. <br /> 5. Time control action for maximum effectiveness and safety. <br /> 6. Follow -up and monitor results; keep accurate records. <br /> 7. Evaluate and modify the program as necessary. <br /> These guidelines, developed using information from several academic /research <br /> sources and internationally known consultants such as Dr. William Olkowski of <br /> the Bio- Integral Resources Center, have enabled us to develop a dynamic, <br /> minimum - impact system into which the latest proven methods and research can <br /> be incorporated to keep Eugene on the "cutting edge" of environmentally re- <br /> sponsible, cost - effective grounds maintenance techniques. <br /> Our arsenal of workable alternative (non - chemical) control techniques in- <br /> creases regularly. These include competitive desireable vegetation, mulches, <br /> the manipulation of environmental factors such as irrigation, soil fertility <br /> and pest habitat, various types of manual and mechanical cultivation, water <br /> blasting, soap solutions, and various types of traps and lures. We experi- <br /> ment with new ideas and share information with other agencies trying IPM <br /> methods. <br />