12/9/2015 ENVIRONMENTAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE Minutes

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Environmental Oversight Committee Minutes December 9, 2015 Montompa Cgmaty is first ma or locali1y in US to restrict pesticide use on lawns: MEC board votes to develop a coalition to pursue this lype of regglation in Massachusetts: Montgomery County in Maryland voted in October to restrict the use of pesticides in lawn care as a way to protect the health of Montgomery County Residents. Other small towns in the United States, and several major provinces in Canada, have passed similar regulations on lawn pesticides, but Montgomery County was the first major population area in the United States to pass such regulations. In response to this action, it was noted the Mashpee Environmental Coalition {MEC} board of directors unanimously voted to develop a coalition to promote such aesthetic/cosmetic lawn pesticide regulations for the Commonwealth of MA. Seventy-eight percent (78%) percent of pesticides used on the Cape are applied to lawns; another 9% is applied to golf courses. For comparison, it was noted Eversource applies less than 1% of all pesticides in Cape Cod on its rights-of-way, and the herbicides used are generally less toxic than herbicides applied on Cape lawns by professionals and homeowners. It was noted that 70% of the residents of Canada have lived with similar regulations that have been in place for years. OLD BUSINESS Town -Wide Stormwater Management Plan: Update: No report. Land Steward Program: Update from Katelyn Cadoret Assistant Conservation A ent: Members of the EOC welcomed Katelyn Cadoret, the new assistant Conservation Agent. Ms. Cadoret gave an overview of some of the projects she has been working on over the past few months in her new position. This includes her work helping to manage conservation lands and the Land Stewards Program. Of note and importance are the three pollinator gardens located in the area of Jehu Pond, Pickerel Cove and in the Mashpee Community Garden located on Route 130. Last month, a team consisting of Ms. Cadoret, volunteers from the Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge, the Mashpee Environmental Coalition, and the Land Stewards Program, including EOC members Dale McKay and Michael Talbot, cleaned and weeded the garden areas and removed or treated invasive species in preparation for the upcoming winter season. Pollinator gardens are used by a wide host of animals, birds and butterflies. The gardens support the health of bees and other pollinators which pollinate approximately 70% of crops. Ms. Cadoret explained there have been difficulties with respect to the survival rate of bees due to the use of pesticides, several introduced mite pests, and as a result of habitat loss and fragmentation. PaoP 4