Maine town considers pesticide reduction

(NECN: Amy Sinclair) - Four Maine communities have already taken steps to reduce their use of pesticides, citing health concerns. Scarborough's ordinance committee is meeting to discuss similar restrictions.

Eddie Woodin has spent the last 15 years making his Scarborough, Maine landscape more inviting to wildlife.

The only thing he puts on his lawn is water, but after receiving repeated solicitations from lawncare companies Woodin became concerned about the cumulative effect of pesticide use...it's impact on birds and nearby Scarborough Marsh.

Woodin found a sympathetic ear in town councilor Karen D'Andrea who chairs Scarborough's ordinance committee.

The draft now under consideration would restrict chemical pesticide use on town owned parks, schools and playing fields, opting instead for organic treatments.  

If passed, the ordinance would not include private property, so homeowners could continue to treat their lawns however they like, but supporters say they hope local people would follow the town's lead."

This has lawn care companies concerned not just about their livelihood, but the rationale behind looming restrictions.

They argue that because organic treatments aren't well regulated and that pesticides have their place because they work.  

Supporters of the ordinance say any discussion, town hall or in the town square is beneficial.

So before reaching for a quick lawn fix, they stop to consider who else is living there.