The Montgomery County, Md., Circuit Court struck down the county’s ban on lawn and garden pesticide use on private property, deeming it unlawful and preempted by Maryland law. Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment (RISE) said it is pleased with the court’s decision. “We are gratified that the court agreed that the county’s ban on the use of State- and... read more
Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment (RISE), along with six local businesses and seven residents of Montgomery County, Md., filed a lawsuit on Nov. 21 that challenges the passage of the county’s pesticide ban. “Our nearly two-year challenge to the passage of Bill 52-14 continues with today’s court filing,” said Aaron Hobbs, RISE president. “Along with impacted county businesses and... read more
Montgomery County, Md., became the first major locality in the U.S. to ban the use of cosmetic pesticides on private lawns, the Washington Post reports. The ban goes into effect in 2018. The County Council voted 6-to-3 to prohibit use of the chemicals after a public debate Oct. 6. The ban does not establish a method or unit to enforce... read more
A proposed pesticide ban in Montgomery County (Md.) continues to make headlines as proponents and oppositionists of the bill speak out, the Washington Post reports. The proposed ban, spearheaded by Council President George Leventhal, prohibits the use of “nonessential” pesticides on turf, with the exceptions of use on agriculture land, gardens and golf courses. Among local landscape professionals opining on... read more
Anti-pesticide forces are seeing some success in convincing local governments to ban “cosmetic” pesticides. The anti-pesticide activists define cosmetic pesticides as those used to make lawns and the general landscape look better. In other words, most of the pesticides used by the green industry. In July 2013, Takoma Park, Md., passed the Safe Grow Act of 2013, which generally restricts... read more
Nearly 300 people gathered at the Montgomery County (Md.) Council chamber for a public hearing on a proposed ban of nonessential pesticides, according to The Gazette. Introduced by Montgomery County Council President George Leventhal, the bill bans the use of nonessential pesticides from lawns and certain public green spaces. “Reactions to the proposal among the first 40 speakers were strong and... read more
