Montclair Bans Use Of 'Toxic Synthetic Pesticides' On Town-Owned Land

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The Montclair Town Council has given a thumbs-up to a local ordinance that bans the use of “toxic synthetic pesticides” on municipally owned land.

The council unanimously voted in favor of O-25-22 on second reading at their meeting on Tuesday. Several non-substantive changes were approved prior to a public hearing on the ordinance.

The local law does not apply to private property, only township-owned land.

Deputy Mayor Susan Shin Andersen offered Patch the following summary of the new ordinance:

"The main purpose of this ordinance was to codify into law the township's current practice of not using toxic synthetic pesticides (including herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides) on township-owned property, which include parks, preserves, playgrounds, and other publicly-owned land which the township is responsible for maintaining. The intent is to ensure that future township staff and any contractors continue this practice and continue to embrace organic land care practices."

What is included in the ban? According to the deputy mayor, prohibited substances include synthetic land care products used to kill undesired plants, insects, and fungi that contain (1) Glyphosate, (2) 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D), (3) 1, 3-Dichloropropene (1, 3-D), (4) Neonicotinoids, (5) Chlorpyrifos, (6) Organophosphates, or (7) synthetic pyrethroids, and/or other products that are known to be, likely to be, or probable human carcinogens or probable endocrine disruptors.

Prohibited substances also include products that may be toxic to beneficial insects, pollinators, birds and other wildlife.

The Montclair Department of Community Services is responsible for enforcing the law. Offenders can be fined a minimum of $500 and a maximum of $2,500 for each violation.

Watch footage from the meeting below (video is cued to the hearing on the ordinance):

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