Creates rodent integrated pest management pilot programs for municipalities. That choose to participate. Reports would be approved by the municipality's mayor or administrator and would be submitted to the department of environmental management.
Impact
The bill is structured to establish pilot programs within municipalities which will allow local governments to design specific rodent management strategies tailored to their needs. It encourages municipalities to coordinate with the Department of Environmental Management to evaluate the success of the proposed interventions. By effectively banning certain high-risk rodenticides from consumer sale, the bill aims to reduce the risks associated with rodenticide usage while promoting environmentally friendly pest control practices.
Summary
House Bill 5704, titled the Rodent Integrated Pest Management Pilot Program Act, introduces a framework for municipalities in Rhode Island to implement voluntary rodent control programs. It aims to address rodent management through integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that utilize various non-chemical methods alongside limited pesticide use, contingent on sufficient evidence of their efficacy. This act presents a significant shift in pesticide regulation and aims to mitigate rodent populations while minimizing environmental impact.
Contention
While proponents advocate for the bill as a necessary evolution in pest control, aimed at fostering environmentally sustainable practices, there are concerns about potential limitations it imposes on rodenticide use. Critics, including some pesticide manufacturers and commercial applicators, may argue that the limitations on rodenticide sales could hinder the ability to control rodent populations effectively, particularly in public health scenarios. The balance between public safety and environmental protection remains a vital discussion point as this bill progresses.
Precludes the use of second generation anticoagulant rodenticide products which contain brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum, or difethialone, except in certain circumstances.
Precludes the use of second generation anticoagulant rodenticide products which contain brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum, or difethialone, except in certain circumstances.
Establishes an agricultural restricted receipt account within the department of environmental management. An advisory committee would be established to determine suggested uses of the funds in said account.
Establishes the Rhode Island lake management program within the department of environmental management to aid with lake and pond management issues relating to the control of aquatic invasive plants.
Establishes the Rhode Island lake management program within the department of environmental management to aid with lake and pond management issues relating to the control of aquatic invasive plants.
Establishes requirements which would have to be met by an applicant prior to the issuing of permits for an activity that would have an environmental impact on or would increase the cumulative impacts on an environmental justice area.
Establishes requirements which would have to be met by an applicant prior to the issuing of permits for an activity that would have an environmental impact on or would increase the cumulative impacts on an environmental justice area.
Creates rodent integrated pest management pilot programs for municipalities. That choose to participate. Reports would be approved by the municipality's mayor or administrator and would be submitted to the department of environmental management.
Precludes the use of second generation anticoagulant rodenticide products which contain brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum, or difethialone, except in certain circumstances.
Precludes the use of second generation anticoagulant rodenticide products which contain brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum, or difethialone, except in certain circumstances.
Restricts application of pesticides and rodenticides at schools and child care centers and requires schools to provide copies of notice to parents and guardians.
Restricts application of pesticides and rodenticides at schools and child care centers and requires schools to provide copies of notice to parents and guardians.