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1 RiversideCA.gov
1 RiversideCA.gov
USE OF GLYPHOSATE-BASED PRODUCTS
FOR WEED ABATEMENT - UPDATE
Land Use, Sustainability and Resilience Committee
May 8, 2023
Public Works
RiversideCA.gov
2 1. In April of 2019 the City Manager implemented a
temporary glyphosate moratorium
2. In January of 2020 City Staff presented an update to the City Council regarding this moratorium
3. In February of 2021 the City Council approved
rescinding the moratorium, allowing the resumption
of glyphosate use
BACKGROUND
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3 1. What is glyphosate?
– Systemic herbicide that kills the entirety of
a weed, including the root system
– Commercially referred to as Roundup
– Same product on store shelves is used by
the City
2. Weed abatement is important to
maintain a clean, safe and resilient
City
DISCUSSION
Image credit: Roundup.com
RiversideCA.gov
4 1. The Environmental Protection Agency
reviews pesticides / herbicides.
2. Glyphosate / Roundup is approved for
use by the California Department of
Pesticide Regulation and the Riverside
County Agricultural Commissioner.
3. The EPA has found:
– No risks of concern to human health from current uses of glyphosate
– No indication that children are more sensitive to
glyphosate
– No evidence that glyphosate causes cancer in
humans
DISCUSSION
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5 1. The City uses several best practices
when applying Roundup:
• Typically applied by hand for spot treatment
(use of dye)
• Safe application using vehicle mounted
sprayer
• Follow protocol during wind events
• Notification of daycare and schools
• Use of a 1% solution
• Only applied on an as-needed basis
DISCUSSION
RiversideCA.gov
6 1. City of Irvine: manual and organic
removals only, no non-organic
pesticides / herbicides allowed
2. City of Menifee: manual removals
required for emergency / abatement
scenarios
3. Los Angeles County: restricts
glyphosate for County departments
OTHER AGENCY PRACTICES
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7 COST COMPARISON
Material Material Cost per
Acre
Number of
Treatments
Annually(generalized
across the city)
Total Material
Costs per Acre
(annual, not
including labor)
Glyphosate-based
herbicides
$25.06 2-3 times $50.12 - $75.18
Non-glyphosate
based herbicides
$32.48 7-8 times $227.36 - $259.84
Material cost difference per acre $177.24 - $184.66
RiversideCA.gov
8 This item contributes to Strategic Priority 2 – Community Well- Being and Goal 2.3: Strengthen neighborhood identities and improve community health and the physical environment
through amenities and programs that foster an increased sense of community and enhanced feelings of pride and belonging citywide.
Cross-Cutting Threads
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
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9 That the Committee receive and file this update from the Public Works Department regarding the use of glyphosate.
RECOMMENDATION
9