Safe Grow Montgomery Supports Bill Proposed to Ban the Use of Certain Pesticides

lawnThe Montgomery County Council has set a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 15  and Feb. 12. to discuss Bill 52-14 that could ban the use of certain pesticides on local lawns.

“If passed, this would be a landmark ordinance, the first county law of its type in the U.S.,” said Alex Stavitsky-Zeineddin, a Gaithersburg resident and Safe Grow Montgomery organizer. “It is ground-breaking health and environmental legislation.”

According to Safe Grow, this law aims to protect families, especially children and pregnant women, pets, wildlife (including pollinators, our waterways, and the wider environment) from the hazards of the unnecessary use of lawn pesticides in Montgomery County. Washington D.C. and Takoma Park, Md. recently passed similar laws.

“We are grateful to Council President [George] Leventhal for developing Bill 52-14 to address residents’ concerns and to Councilmembers Marc Elrich, Nancy Floreen, Nancy Navarro, and Hans Riemer for their co-sponsorship of the bill,” said Barbara Hoover, a Conservation Montgomery board mmember, who also supports the bill.

The bill proposes to restrict the use of certain synthetic lawn pesticides, including herbicides, insecticides, and others used for non-essential aesthetic purposes on manicured grasses. It will still allow pesticide use for agriculture, invasive species, noxious weeds, and golf courses.

For additional information, visit the Safe Grow Montgomery website.

Gaithersburg Voter on Election 2015 (VIDEO)

Gaithersburg Voter on Election 2015   YouTube

Linda Stein has lived in Gaithersburg for 18 years. In this MyMCMedia Extra, Stein says that pesticides on residential lawns is one issue that matters to her this election. Gaithersburg polls are open until 8 p.m. tonight, you can visit the election site for more information.

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Leggett Does Not Sign Pesticide Bill (VIDEO)

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In an Oct. 19th memo addressed to County Council President George Leventhal, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett said he is not signing Bill 52-14, also known as the pesticide bill. “I am concerned about the opinions of an Assistant Attorney General regarding whether a ban on the use of certain pesticides in the County would […]

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Montgomery County Council Passes Pesticide Bill

Blades of grass

The Montgomery County Council passed Bill 52-14 by a 6 to 3 vote on Tuesday. The legislation, commonly known as the pesticide bill, bans the use of EPA-registered pesticides in lawn care for most uses in the county including public and private playgrounds, mulched recreation areas, child care centers, and county property. Advocates and opponents of […]

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Five Things to Know Today, Oct. 6, in Montgomery County

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Here are your five things to know today, Oct. 6, in Montgomery County: 1. Montgomery County Councilmembers are expected to vote on a pesticide bill today- a proposed legislation that would ban certain pesticides from being applied to lawns and county-owned properties. The chief sponsor of this bill is Council President George Leventhal. Councilmembers Marc Elrich, Nancy […]

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Safe Grow Montgomery Supports Bill 15-42 (VIDEO)

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UPDATED In this MyMCMedia Extra video, Jennifer Quinn, a volunteer with Safe Grow Montgomery, explains Bill 15-42 and why her organization supports this legislation.   The County Council is scheduled to vote on Bill 15-42 on Oct. 6. Related:

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Pesticide Bill Vote Set for Oct. 6 (VIDEO)

Blades of grass

In this MyMCMedia Extra, Jennifer Quinn, a volunteer with Safe Grow Montgomery, explains who she thinks is opposed to Bill 52-14, the pesticide bill, and she says Montgomery County Councilmembers have heard from supporters more than opponents. Take a look: https://youtu.be/fwsfDWMEES8 The Council has scheduled an Oct. 6 vote on the bill. Related:

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Safe Grow Montgomery Volunteer Explains Pesticide Bill (VIDEO)

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In this MyMCMedia Extra video, Gaithersburg resident Jennifer Quinn, a volunteer with Safe Grow Montgomery, explains why she believes Bill 52-14 is so important. You can find more information about this bill on Montgomery County’s website, here. The County Council is scheduled to vote on the bill at its Oct. 6th meeting. Related:

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County Council Expected to Enact Pesticide Bill (VIDEO)

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A bill before Montgomery County Council that would restrict pesticide use on private lawns and some private property is scheduled for a vote in the coming weeks. Susan Kenedy reports: Visit our PEG partner County Cable Montgomery to view more of its local programming.

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Council President George Leventhal News Briefing (PHOTOS & VIDEO)

George Leventhal

Montgomery County Council President George Leventhal met with reporters on June 15th to discuss a variety of topics including the pesticide bill, earned sick and safe leave bill, public financing of elections, privatization of the Department of Economic Development and his reaction to news that the Gazette newspaper is closing. You can watch the briefing […]

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EXCLUSIVE: Attorney General Refuses to Weigh in on Berliner Pesticide Measures

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The Maryland Office of the Attorney General refused to give County Councilmember Roger Berliner advice on his provisions for reducing the use of pesticides in Montgomery County. In a letter dated May 28, Berliner asked Attorney General Brian Frosh to weigh in on whether four measures being proposed by Berliner would be preempted by state law. […]

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Krista Brick

About Krista Brick

Krista Brick is a multi-media journalist with Montgomery Community Media.

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