HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2016 0420 CCSA REG ITEM 10D ITEM 10.D.
;Iry OF MORPARK,CALIFORNIA
City Council Meeting
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MOORPARK CITY COUNCIL „_-?;, ,_;
AGENDA REPORT
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TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Brian Chong, Administrative Services Manager"t.
DATE: April 4, 2016 (CC Meeting of 4/20/16)
SUBJECT: Consider Letter of Support for AB 2596 to Ban the Use of Various
Anticoagulant Rodenticides in the State of California
BACKGROUND
On November 6, 2013, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2013-3240
(Attachment 1) opposing the sale, purchase, and use of anticoagulant rodenticides in
the City of Moorpark. Many nearby cities, including Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks,
Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, and Calabasas have also adopted similar resolutions.
The use of anticoagulant rodenticides by the City through its landscape maintenance
agreements is already banned by City Council policy.
Existing state law bans the use of various anticoagulant rodenticides in wildlife habitat
areas. In February 2016, State Assemblymember Richard Bloom introduced AB 2596,
co-authored by State Senator Fran Pavley, which would expand the list of banned
anticoagulant rodenticides to include more chemical compounds and apply the ban
statewide, rather than just to wildlife habitat areas such as state parks, state wildlife
refuges, and state conservancies.
Based on the City's stated opposition to the use of anticoagulant rodenticides, and
based on the protections afforded to wildlife and domestic pets by further banning
anticoagulant rodenticides, it is recommended that the City Council send a letter of
support to Assemblymember Bloom in support of AB 2596.
DISCUSSION
Effects of Anticoagulant Rodenticides
Rodenticides are used to combat infestations of rodents on both residential and
commercial properties. Typical targets include mice, rats, gophers, squirrels, voles,
moles, and other rodents. Anticoagulant rodenticides work by inhibiting blood clotting in
animals, eventually causing the poisoned animal to die from internal bleeding and
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April 20, 2016, Regular Meeting
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hemorrhaging. The first generation of anticoagulant rodenticides (such as warfarin,
chlorophacinone, and diphacinone) proved effective, but multiple feedings on poisoned
pellets or grains were required to kill targeted animals as they developed resistance to
the feedings. As a result, a second generation of anticoagulant rodenticides (such as
brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum, and difethialone) was developed as more toxic
options to eliminate targeted animals that could kill the animal in a single feeding.
However, it still takes several days for a targeted animal to die after feeding on a
second generation anticoagulant rodenticide, and the targeted animal may revisit the
bait station several times before dying. As a result, many rodent carcasses contain
residue of significant amounts of anticoagulant rodenticides. When larger animals
(hawks, owls, coyotes, bobcats, etc.) or domestic pets (dogs and cats) consume a
poisoned rodent carcass, then those animals may also be affected and ultimately killed
by the rodenticide.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has confirmed more than 400
cases of wildlife poisoning from anticoagulant rodenticides. However, CDFW also
estimates the actual numbers are much higher because affected animals will often
retreat to their dens, burrows, or other hiding places after being poisoned, thus making
them more difficult to find. The U.S. National Park Service has also tested local
populations of various animals and found that 95% of bobcats, 83% of coyotes,
and 91% of mountain lions were exposed to anticoagulant rodenticides.
Effects of AB 2596
Current state law enacted in 2014 prohibits specified second generation anticoagulant
rodenticides in wildlife habitat areas, with exceptions for agricultural and federal
government activities. AB 2596 would modify existing state law regarding the use of
anticoagulant rodenticides by expanding the list of prohibited rodenticides to include
bromethalin, chlorophacinone, cholecalciferol, diphacinone, and warfarin, which are
generally first generation anticoagulant rodenticides.
Further, AB 2596 would extend the ban to apply statewide, rather than just wildlife
habitat areas. The State Department of Pesticide Regulation would be tasked with
implementing the law, which would likely include banning retail sales of anticoagulant
rodenticides throughout the state. However, the currently existing exemption for
agricultural and federal government activities would remain in place, and pest control
professionals serving such clients could still acquire and utilize them. It should be noted
that AB 2596 does include language directing state agencies to encourage federal
agencies to not use anticoagulant rodenticides.
The removal of anticoagulant rodenticides from consumer use will necessitate a shift to
other methods of rodent control. Traps (such as snap traps) with non-toxic bait, non-
toxic fumigants, in-ground gassing, and other integrated pest management programs
will continue to be available. For urban areas such as the City, prevention tactics are
most effective. Because rodents in urban environments largely feed on food left on the
ground or in open trash containers, simply picking up trash and placing it inside a closed
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April 20, 2016, Regular Meeting
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trash bin will reduce rodent populations. Where the urban environment interfaces with
open space, natural predators such as owls, bobcats, and mountain lions consume
rodent populations. The removal of anticoagulant rodenticides from the food chain will
better protect those predator populations and therefore also have a positive effect on
reducing rodent populations.
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Direct that a letter of support for AB 2596 be signed by the Mayor and be sent to
Assemblymember Richard Bloom.
Attachment 1 — City Council Resolution No. 2013-3240
Attachment 2 — Draft Letter to Assemblymember Richard Bloom
Attachment 3 — Draft Legislation (AB 2596)
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Honorable City Council ATTACHMENT 1
April 20, 2016, Regular Meeting
Page 4
RESOLUTION NO. 2013-3240
A RESOLUTION OF CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA, OPPOSING THE SALE,
PURCHASE AND USE OF ANTICOAGULANT RODENTICIDES
IN THE CITY OF MOORPARK
WHEREAS, anticoagulant rodenticides are poisonous bait products available to
the public and used to combat the infestation of rodents in business and residential
properties; and
WHEREAS, anticoagulant rodenticides are used as bait which the rodents ingest,
causing lethal internal hemorrhaging; and
WHEREAS, pets and wildlife may also become sick or die from ingesting
rodenticides directly or due to secondary exposure after consuming the dead or dying
rodents.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOORPARK
DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council urges businesses in the City of Moorpark to no
longer use or sell anticoagulant rodenticides, urges all property owners to cease
purchasing or using anticoagulant rodenticides on their properties, and solidifies the
City's commitment to not using anticoagulant rodenticides as part of its maintenance
program for City-owned parks, open space and facilities.
SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and
shall cause a certified resolution to be filed in the book of original resolutions.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 6th day of November, 2013.
J / /dam
Jan cHcae S. Parvin, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Maureen Benson, City Clerk
J
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Resolution No. 2013-3240
Page 2
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF VENTURA ) ss.
CITY OF MOORPARK
I, Maureen Benson, City Clerk of the City of Moorpark, California, do hereby
certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing Resolution No. 2013-3240 was
adopted by the City Council of the City of Moorpark at a regular meeting held on the 6th
day of November, 2013, and that the same was adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Mikos, Millhouse, Pollock, Van Dam, and Mayor Parvin
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
WITNESS my hand and the official seal of said City this 20th day of November,
2013.
T7 e
Maureen Benson, City Clerk
(seal)
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ATTACHMENT 2
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CITY OF MOORPARK
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799 Moorpark Avenue,Moorpark,California 93021 I Phone(805)517-6200 I Fax(805)532-2205
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to 3
April 20, 2016
The Honorable Richard Bloom
California State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0050
RE: Support of AB 2596 – the California Natural Predator Protection Act of 2016
Dear Assemblymember Bloom:
This letter confirms the City of Moorpark's support of AB 2596. I want to thank you for your
leadership on this matter and for introducing this legislation.
In 2013, the City adopted a resolution urging all businesses within the City of Moorpark to not
use or sell anticoagulant rodenticides, urging all property owners to not use or purchase
anticoagulant rodenticides, and solidifying the City's commitment to not use anticoagulant
rodenticides as part of its own operations at City-owned parks, open space, and facilities.
The City has also included bans on the use of anticoagulant rodenticides when it negotiates
landscape maintenance contracts.
In 2014, the City applauded your introduction, and the subsequent passage, of AB 2657 to
remove many second generation anticoagulant rodenticides from the state. However, as we
are all unfortunately aware, scientific research and state studies continue to find rodenticides
in non-target animals, including the natural predators that help regulate rodent populations
and endangered species in California. Although it was well-intentioned and indeed made
progress to achieve its policy objectives, AB 2657 is now in need of reinforcement.
AB 2596 will remove other first generation anticoagulant rodenticides from consumer markets
and extend the ban on anticoagulant rodenticides from just wildlife habitat areas to the full
state. AB 2596 also contains the steps needed to reduce rodenticide exposure in non-target
animals and will bolster efforts to best manage the state's wildlife species and the
ecosystems they depend on to survive. For these reasons, the City of Moorpark supports
AB 2596.
Yours truly,
Janice Parvin
Mayor
JANICE S.PARVIN ROSEANN MIKOS,Ph.D. KEITH F.MILLHOUSE DAVID POI.LOCK MARK VAN DAM
Mayor C.ouncilmemhcr Councilmember Councilmcmher Councilmember
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Honorable City Council ATTACHMENT 3
April 20, 2016, Regular Meeting
Page 7
Text of AB 2596
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1.
(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1) Wildlife, including birds of prey, mountain lions, bobcats, fishers, foxes, coyotes,
and endangered species such as the northern spotted owl, pacific fisher, and San Joaquin kit
fox, are an irreplaceable part of California's natural ecosystems. As predators of small
mammals, they play an important role in regulating and controlling the population of rodents
throughout the state to improve public health and welfare.
(2) Millions of people annually visit California for the purposes of viewing and
photographing wildlife, and these visits contribute millions of dollars to California's economy.
(3) Urban areas are increasingly being used by predatory mammals and birds of prey
and the public enjoys seeing them and values these animals and the ecosystem services
they provide.
(4) The ecosystem services provided by native wildlife predators are a public trust, just
like clean air and water. We, as California residents, are obligated to conserve these wildlife
populations for future generations of Californians.
(5) Scientific research and state studies have found rodenticides in over 75 percent of
animals tested. These rodenticides lead to direct mortality and chronic long-term health
impacts for natural predators, nontarget organisms, and endangered species and further
steps are needed to reduce rodenticide exposure in nontarget animals.
(6) Rodenticides can be counterproductive to rodent control by poisoning, harming,
and killing natural predators that help regulate rodent populations throughout California.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this measure to ensure that aquatic,
terrestrial, and avian wildlife species remain a fully functional component of the ecosystems
they inhabit and move through in California.
(c) This act shall be known, and may be cited, as the California Natural Predator Protection
Act of 2016.
SEC. 2.
Section 12978.7 of the Food and Agricultural Code is amended to read:
12978.7.
(a) Except as provided in subdivision) &), the use of any pesticide that contains one or
more of the following anticoagulants is prohibited in a wildlife habitat area: this state:
(1) Brodifacoum.
(2) Bromadiolone.
(3) Bromethalin.
(4) Chlorophacinone.
(5) Cholecalciferol.
(3)(6) Difenacoum.
(4)(7) Difethialone.
(8) Diphacinone.
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(9) Warfarin.
(c)() State agencies are directed to encourage federal agencies to comply with subdivision
(a).
(-)-(c) This section does not apply to the use of pesticides for agricultural activities, as
defined in Section 564.
(e) This section does not preempt or supersede any federal statute or the authority of any
federal agency.
SEC. 3.
No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the
California Constitution for certain costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school
district because, in that regard, this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime
or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section
17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of
Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution.
However, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains other costs
mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs
shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of
the Government Code.
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