Sustainability and Energy Action Plan

APPENDIX XIV: SUSTAINABLE ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT SUGGESTIONS GRANTS PASS SUSTAINABILITY AND ENERGY ACTION PLAN modification of cultural practices, and use of resistant varieties. Pesticides are used after monitoring indicates they are needed, and treatments are made with the goal of removing only the target organism. Pest control materials are selected and applied in a manner that minimizes risks to human health, beneficial and nontarget organisms, and the environment. IPM generally employs the following tools to control unwanted pests: •Biological control – the use of natural enemies like owls and ladybugs to control pests. •Cultural controls – practices that reduce pests getting established, reproducing, or surviving. For example, changing irrigation practices can reduce pest problems, since too much water can increase root disease and weeds. Improving kitchen cleanliness can eliminate food sources. •Mechanical and physical controls – practices that kill, trap or block a pest. Traps for rodents are examples of mechanical control. Physical controls include mulches for weed management, mulching or mowing for weed control, or screens to keep birds or insects out. •Chemical controls – the use of pesticides. In IPM, pesticides are used in combination with approaches above; the pesticide that will do the job and be the safest for other organisms and for air, soil, and water quality is selected; and pesticides are used in bait stations rather than sprays, or spot -spray a few weeds instead of an entire area.Reliable resources to guide the development of a Grants Pass Least Toxic Pest Control Policy are plentiful. Many cities have adopted such policies and their templates can be adapted to best suit Grants Pass. Technical resources are also plentiful. One, Our Water Our World ,was formed by a consortium of West Coast cities and counties in 1999 with the goal of reducing pesticides in stormwater runoff and wastewater discharges. This resource lists least toxic pesticides and practices that are protective of water quality. It also keeps updated lists of least toxic pesticides by brand, by pest, and by active ingredient. 168 Other resources focus on a science -based approach referred toasIntegrated Pest Management (IPM) , which is a process for solving pest problems while minimizing risks to people and the environment. IPM focuses on long -term prevention of pests or their damage through a combination oftechniques such as biological control, habitat manipulation,