The Hilton Head Island Town Council approved its first integrated pest management (IPM) policy during its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.
“After robust community input, consultation with experts, and committee discussions, the Town Council took the historic step of implementing a policy that formally prohibits the use of glyphosate products on Town-owned or managed properties and champions the use of organic solutions over all other types of pesticides,” said Hilton Head Island Mayor Alan Perry. “It’s about doing everything we can to minimize the risks to human and animal health and the environment associated with pest control measures while still maintaining the beauty of Town-owned and operated spaces.”
The new IPM policy applies to all properties, road rights-of-way, and facilities owned, operated, or managed by the Town of Hilton Head Island. It does not apply to residential or commercial properties within the Town that are not owned or managed by the Town.
Hilton Head Island Town Manager Marc Orlando noted during the meeting that under his direction and in consultation with Town staff, the Town had already started to eliminate the use of glyphosate products (i.e., Roundup, Ranger Pro, Glyphosate 41) in April 2023, with priority placed on playgrounds, dog parks, wetland buffers, and the Mid-Island Tract off Union Cemetery Road. In addition to formalizing this aspect of pest management, the new policy further specifies a set of best practice guiding principles that require the use of organic solutions and preventative measures.
“By adopting this policy, the Town has established a leading pest management program that is aligned with our community goal to protect and preserve the natural environment,” Orlando said.
In addition to requiring preventative and organic solutions to pest control, the IPM policy also outlines public notification requirements before and after the use of pesticides, improved record-keeping and reporting, approval procedures for the use of pesticides, and collaboration with community organizations, schools, and other stakeholders to further promote IPM adoption and community awareness. Town staff have already started implementing the policy and will have it fully executed within the next year.
To review the full IPM policy, please visit https://hiltonheadislandsc.gov/policy/pestmanagement/
TJ Jett, Chief Environmental Officer
Town of Hilton Head Island, SC
843-816-7279
http://www.HiltonHeadIslandSC.gov
TJJ@HiltonHeadIslandSC.gov
1 Town Center Court, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Talk of the Town Hosted by Robyn Zimmerman
October-November 2024
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