Landcare Management Advisory Committee

City of Portland Landcare Management Advisory Committee Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 6:30 PM The Landcare Management Advisory Committee will conduct this meeting remotely via Zoom. Allow your computer to install the free Zoom app to get the best meeting experience. If you are not able to attend live either in person or via Zoom, a recording will be available in the Agenda Center following the meeting. For public comment via Zoom, you will need to use the "raise your hand" feature. To raise your hand via the telephone, please hit *9. You will be unmuted by the host when it is time for public comment. To submit written public comment on an agenda item, email landcare@portlandmaine.gov. Submissions must be received by 12:00 pm the day before the LMAC meeting to guarantee their inclusion in the agenda packet. All submissions must include the commenter's name and legal address. To help ensure your comment is submitted for the correct item, please include the name of the agenda item (see below). To join the meeting please use this link: https://portlandmaine-gov.zoom.us/j/88276726798?pwd=RGNBQx7T6kVwbMWfxI9SAzTxuEbb1w.1 1. Review and approve minutes a. Minutes from February 4 2. Review annual report a. Draft Annual Report 3. Summer Education Programing 4. Next Meeting: April 1, 2025 5. Adjournment 1 Page 1  CITY OF PORTLAND, MAINE Landcare Management Advisory Committee February 4, 2025 Start time: 6:30 PM DRAFT Minutes February 4, 2025 Attendance: Jesse O’Brien, Melissa Runstrom, Carol Laboissonniere, Avery Kamila, Troy Moon, Katie Tims, Noah Tucker, Priscilla Skerry Review and Approve October 1, 2024 Minutes October 1 minutes unanimously approved. Update from City Staff on Applicator Reports Troy notes that we have been receiving applicator reports through December and January and will prepare a report for the committee next meeting. Avery Kamila asks if we will have the staff capacity to review those reports for compliance with the ordinance? Troy Moon notes that staff have begun reviewing the reports coming in and looking at past reports to prepare for data analysis. Noah Tucker asks if we will be modifying the information that we request from applicators in order to gather more specific information that we are looking for. Troy Moon notes that if committee members could form a subgroup, identify those types of changes, and provide assistance or suggestions to the committee we could pursue modifications to the required applicator reports. Melissa Runstrom suggests adding a voluntary field in the report to collect other information. The committee can resume this conversation after reviewing the report to be presented at the next meeting. Recommended Amendments to Chapter 34 Landcare Ordinance The Sustainability Office received a waiver request from Cheverus High School to treat a widespread grub infestation on their athletic fields. Over the course of two years, school personnel implemented extensive cultural practices, as well as two treatments of an organic product based on the bacterium Bacillus thurigiensis (Bt) that proved unsuccessful in controlling the grub infestation. School officials have conducted testing to demonstrate that the turf grass is poorly connected to the soil because of the grub damage and could fail during athletic events. They also provided photographs of damage caused to the fields by animals foraging for the grubs. The poorly bonded turf grass combined with the holes and rough patches caused by the animals has created an unsafe playing surface that threatens the safety of student athletes. To address the grubs, Cheverus proposed the use of Acelepryn, a product classified as “reduced risk” by the EPA. The proposed application method was use of a spreader to apply the product to the surface of the playing fields impacted by the grub infestation. Their scouting and analysis showed that the infestation impacts all of the playing surface. After reviewing the application and the ordinance, Sustainability Office staff determined that we could not accept the waiver request because Chapter 34 prohibits the use of broadcast applications. We reviewed Page 2 this issue with Corporation Counsel who indicated that an appropriate path to address this issue would be to pursue an amendment to the ordinance that exempts the use of Acelepryn to treat grub infestations. Counsel has provided draft language that is included in the meeting packet. The Sustainability Office recommends adoption of the amendment to exempt Acelepryn when applied by a licensed applicator according to the label instructions The Sustainability Office also recommends an amendment such that the full LMAC hears waiver requests, instead of the current two member waiver committee. Public Comment on Recommended Draft Amendments to Chapter 34 Landcare Ordinance First speaking is Michael Komich, Senior Vice President for Finance and Ops at Cheverus High School. Also attending today is Randy Shaw, Vice President for Institutional Advancement; Gene Coffin, Director of Physical Plant Manager; Jake Ferrell, Groundskeeper for Cheverus High School; Robert Vickerson and Tyler Cobb, two engaged licensed professionals from Sports Field Incorporated (of Monmouth, Maine). School officials have provided tensile strength failure reports, photos of the turf’s surface damage from grubs and animals foraging for grubs, there is a serious damage to the entire field. There is concern for the wellbeing of Cheverus athletes, invited athletes, and athletic officials during athletic events. Given the severity of the infestation, continued use of this field without neutralization of the pest poses a major liability. Noah Tucker asks if the requested treatment will be a granular or liquid application. Robert Vickerson, Sports Field Incorporated, would recommend a granular application but could do either. Avery Kamila asks about Sports Field Incorporated’s background in organic landcare practices. Troy Moon asks about how Sports Field Incorporated manages the field. We aerate twice a year (spring and fall), apply grass seed as needed. Apply 2-2.5 lbs Nitrogen (omni-based fertilizer) a year. Mid-summer they top dress and overseed, trying to deter the damage of the grubs. In fall, high potassium application. Carol Laboissonier asks if there is anything in the ordinance that controls the number and timing of the applications of the requested treatment. The label describes all directions that would be followed by the applicators. Noah Tucker shares appreciation for the report that potassium is being applied and asks if the applicators are taking soil samples. Yes, every other year. Page 3 Avery Kamila asks what the distance is between the edge of the field and Back Cove water? Committee determines that it is well over 75 feet (ordinance requirement). Avery Kamila points to two latest statements from the Environmental Protection Agency regarding the toxicity of the requested treatment, Acelepryn. Jesse O’Brien concludes this conversation by reinforcing the importance of integrated pest management and proper application methods, if that is ultimately approved. Committee Deliberation on Draft Amendments to Chapter 34 Landcare Ordinance Avery Kamila inquires if this proposed amendment would change the language around “broadcast spraying and preemptive applications” that exists in the ordinance? Troy Moon notes that that section exists in the waiver application and would not apply generally. Acelepryn is applied via broadcast spraying and in terms of anything else that might conceivably require a broadcast application that would still be subject to waiver review. Troy Moon notes that even with a fully organic field that people are maintaining to the best of their ability, grubs can still impact the field. There is no organic method that has proven to be reliably effective in Maine to reduce a grub infestation. There should be an expectation that an athletic field is to maintain safety for all student athletes and all people using these fields. The Sustainability Office also recommends an amendment such that the full LMAC hears waiver requests, instead of the current two member waiver committee. All other City committees review issues as a whole. Committee members offer other suggestions ●​ Clarify that only Acelyepryn would be allowed as a broadcast application. ●​ Instead of a waiver request, perhaps a notification of an Acelyepryn application when/if an application were to occur. ●​ Removed the requirement of a number of members who are licensed applicators. Set Next Meeting Date The committee concluded that further discussion was necessary to prepare a consensus on recommendations. An ad-hoc committee meeting will be February 11th. Adjourned at 8:30 PM Page 4  City of Portland, ME Landcare Management Advisory Committee Draft Annual Report The City of Portland’s Landcare Ordinance requires the Landcare Management Advisory Committee to provide a report to the Sustainability and Transportation Committee every year before March 31 in order to inform the City Council about the actions of the committee and to provide recommendations to the pesticide ordinance to enhance its environmental and public health benefits. This is the fifth annual report. LMAC 2024 ●​ Jesse O'Brien (Chair) ●​ Avery Yale Kamila, Waiver Committee ●​ Carol Laboissonierre ●​ Priscilla Skerry ●​ Melissa Runstrom ●​ Troy Moon, City Staff ●​ Noah Tucker Executive Summary ●​ During the past year, Portland Parks & Recreation actively worked to combat invasive species in Portland, in particular the emerald ash borer. Mitigation efforts included removing trees, insecticide treatments, and biological control. ●​ The LMAC received 33 applicator reports for 2024 compared to 36 applicator reports for 2023. ●​ The LMAC received 2 waiver requests in 2024. ●​ There were three pesticide complaints registered on SeeClickFix in 2024 for signage violations. ●​ The Sustainability Office ran the Mow Tall Until Fall campaign and distributed more than 200 lawn signs to Portland residents. ●​ The Sustainability Office continued the Summer Landcare Webinar Series hosting programs that covered soil tests, organic lawn care tips, stormwater runoff, and preparing lawns for winter. ●​ Sustainability Office tabled at events throughout the year and shared information about organic landcare practices.The LMAC will continue to assist in implementing an ongoing education and outreach program in coordination with the Sustainability Office that will inform residents, property owners, and landscaping companies about the ordinance and ways to manage their property organically. Portland Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Landcare Updates The Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department (PRF) is working hard on a variety of issues, including Page 1 of 7 Page 5  ●​ Improvement of biodiversity in our ecosystem to produce more robust and resilient urban habitats and forests. ○​ This summer, PRF staff completed a project that covered portions of Riverton Trolley Park's wildflower meadow with tarps to eliminate some of the aggressive nonnative annuals and perennials in particularly hard-hit portions of the meadow. These portions of the meadow were then planted with a diverse mix of native meadow plants and overseed the area with a mix of native perennials and annuals. PRF partnered with Maine Audubon and Portland Parks Conservancy to hold a volunteer planting and educational event. ○​ Replacement of ash trees in Portland, after removal due to deterioration from emerald ash borer infestation, will include a diverse mix of non-host tree species. ●​ Actively addressing the emerald ash borer destruction. PRF staff have been working to disrupt the destruction by the emerald ash borer by removing severely affected ash trees, injecting a select group of ash trees (142 trees) with insecticide treatments, and establishing populations of a predatory wasp along the Presumpscot River to combat the extensive emerald ash borer infestation the city is facing. These efforts are ongoing. ●​ Bolstering urban tree canopy and improving tree equity. This summer, Portland Forestry Team and community partners planted 154 new trees as part of the Bayside Tree Project. Many of the planting sites required pavement removal, soil replacement, and coordination with utility companies and across City departments. Applicator Report 2024 Data ●​ The Landcare Ordinance requires that licensed applicators submit an annual report containing the following information for applications performed in the City of Portland in the prior year: target site, pesticide brand name, EPA registration number, total undiluted formulation, and total area treated as listed and as amended on the Commercial Applicator Annual Summary Report required by the Maine Board of Pesticide Control. ●​ To notify applicators of this requirement, we utilized the MELNA and State of Maine Board of Pesticide Control lists and sent notice via email to all licensed applicators in Cumberland County. ●​ We received reports from 31 businesses, which is 5 less than was received last year. 2 businesses that reported last year informed us they had no applications in Portland in 2024. There was 1 new reporter for 2024. Businesses that submitted reports were: 1.​ A1 Exterminators 14.​Magic Carpet 23.​Pest-End Inc. 2.​ Ant Man Pest Control Cleaning & 24.​Precision Pest Control 3.​ Anticks Pest Control Restoration Inc LLC LLC 15.​Maine Pest 25.​Protect Pest Services 4.​ Ants Etc Pest Service Solutions (no applications) 5.​ Bartlett Tree Experts 26.​Rainbow Restoration 6.​ Big Blue Bug Solutions of Greater Portland Page 2 of 7 Page 6  7.​ Bouchard Cleaning and 16.​Maine Tick and 27.​Rentokil-Terminix Restoration Mosquito Control, 28.​Riverside Golf Club 8.​ Burnell Pest Services LLC 29.​Sterling Insect - Lawn Inc 17.​Mainely Grass Control Inc 9.​ Erlich Pest Solutions Holding LLC 30.​Superior Pest 10.​EZ Pest Solutions 18.​Mainely Ticks Services 11.​Grass Geek LLC (no 19.​MD Weaver 31.​The Davey Tree applications) Corporation Expert Company 12.​Green Pest Defense 20.​Modern Pest 32.​TruGreen LLC 13.​Liberty Pest Control, Services 33.​Waltham Pest Inc. 21.​Mosquito Squad of Services Southern Maine 22.​Organic First LLC Staff were pleased that these companies submitted reports detailing their pesticide applications during the calendar year 2024. ●​ It is important to note that we do not know how many pest management and landscaping companies operate in Portland so we do not know how many firms are required to submit reports. Based on the reports, 178 distinct products were used in Portland in 2024. Applications occurred on: ●​ 657.23 acres ○​ Please note that some areas were treated with multiple products, but the land area was reported separately for each product. Thus, some land is duplicated. ●​ 11,309 homes, properties, and structures ○​ Please note that some properties were treated with multiple products, but each property was reported with each product used. Thus, the number of properties includes duplicates. ●​ 763 linear feet ●​ Placements: 120 ●​ Trees: 371 ●​ Stations: 830 ●​ Groups of Exterior Stations: 471 ●​ Groups of Rat Burrows: 117 ●​ Wasp Nests: 17 Page 3 of 7 Page 7 Pesticides Reported: (Staff will provide additional information about the applications during the meeting) ●​ 0-0-7 Acelepryn (Hadlock Field) ●​ Conserve SC ●​ Acelepryn Insecticide (Riverside Golf ●​ Contrac: Bulk Pellets Course) ●​ Contrac All-Weather Blox ●​ Advance 375A Granular Ant Bait ●​ Contrac with Lumitrack ●​ Advance Cockroach Gel Bait ●​ Contrac Soft Bait ●​ Advion Ant Bait Arena Syngenta ●​ CREW (Hadlock) ●​ Advion Cockroach Gel Syngenta ●​ Crossfire Bedbug Concentrate ●​ Advion Evolution ●​ CYKICK CS AEROSOL ●​ Advion Fire Ant ●​ Daconil Action Flowable Fungicide ●​ Affirm WDG (Riverside) (Riverside) ●​ Alpine Cockroach Gel Bait ●​ Delta Dust ●​ Alpine Flea Insecticide ●​ Demand CS ●​ Alpine Pressurized ●​ Densicor Fungicide (Riverside) ●​ Alpine Pressurized Fly Bait ●​ Dimension 2EW Specialty Herbicide ●​ Alpine WSG (Riverside) ●​ Anuew Plant Growth Regulator ●​ Ditrac Tracking Powder (Riverside) ●​ Double Nickel LC ●​ Aprehend RTU ●​ Doxem NXT ●​ Atomic Degreaser ●​ Drione Dust ●​ Avert DF Dry Flowable Roach ●​ EcoVia 3 in 1 ●​ Avesta CS ●​ EcoVia EC ●​ Azatin O ●​ EcoVia MT ●​ Badge X2 ●​ EcoVia WD ●​ Baseline ●​ Essentria IC3 ●​ Bedlam Insecticide ●​ Essentria IC Pro ●​ Bedlam Plus Insecticide ●​ ExciteR ●​ Bell Contrac Blox ●​ Fastrac All-Weather Blox ●​ Benefect ●​ Fast Trac Pellets (Bulk) ●​ Benefect Decon - 30 ●​ Fastrac Soft Bait ●​ Bifenthrin Products ●​ Fendona CS ●​ BaseLine ●​ PT Fendona Pressurized Insecticide ●​ Bifen I/T ●​ Fiesta ●​ Bifenthrin IT 7.9 ●​ Fiber Rinse ●​ CSI Bifen L/P ●​ Final All Weather Blox Rodenticide ●​ Masterline Bifenthrin 7.9 ●​ FristStrike Soft Bait ●​ Quali-Pro Bifenthrin Golf & Nursery ●​ Flatline Soft Bait (Riverside) ●​ Generation Mini Blocks ●​ BorActin Insecticide Dust ●​ Gentrol IGR Concentrate ●​ Broadform (Bayer) ●​ Gentrol PointSource ●​ CB-80 Aerosol Insecticide ●​ Grand Slam ●​ Cimexa Insecticide Dust ●​ grubGONE! G Page 4 of 7 Page 8  ●​ Intice 10 Perimeter Bait ●​ PT Alpine Pressurized Fly Bait ●​ Intice Smart Ant Gel Bait ●​ PT Avert ●​ Instrata (Hadlock) ●​ PT 565 Plus XLO ●​ IAQ Peroxide Cleaner ●​ PT Wasp Freeze II ●​ Karma Fungicide (Riverside) ●​ PT-515 Wasp Freeze ●​ Lesco Crosscheck Plus ●​ ProKure1 ●​ Lexicon Intrinsic Brand Fungicide ●​ PRS-PRE (Riverside) ●​ PRS-POST ●​ Liqua-Tox II ●​ PRS Fuel Oil ●​ Magnetic Roach Bait ●​ Quali-Pro IPRO 2 (Riverside) ●​ Maxforce Carpenter Ant Gel ●​ Quali-Pro Tebuconazole 3.6F Foliar ●​ MaxForce FC Baits Fungicide (Riverside) ●​ Maxforce FC Magnum Roach Killer ●​ RatX Bait Discs Bait Gel ●​ Resilia (Riverside) ●​ MaxForce FC Ant Bait Stations, ●​ Resolv Soft Bait ●​ Maxforce Fleet Ant Gel Bait ●​ RMR ●​ Maxforce Complete Granular Bait ●​ Rozol Tracking Powder White ●​ Maxforce Impact Roach Gel Bait ●​ Safari 20 SG ●​ Maxima (Hadlock) ●​ Secure Action Fungicide (Riverside) ●​ Maxtima Fungicide (Riverside) ●​ Secure Fungicide (Riverside) ●​ Mectinite ●​ Shockwave ●​ Mediclean ●​ SightLine ●​ Mosquito Free ●​ Spectre 2 SC ●​ M-Pede ●​ Speedzone EW Broadleaf Herbicide ●​ Navicon Intrinsic Brand Fungicide for Turf (Riverside) (Riverside) ●​ Steri-Fab ●​ Niban FG ●​ Strobe 50WG (Riverside) ●​ Niban Granular Bait ●​ Pyronyl ●​ Nibor D ●​ Pyganic Crop Protection EC 5.0 ●​ Nibor-D Foam (Aerosol) ●​ Stryker 54 ●​ Nyguard IGR ●​ Susped Polyzone ●​ Omni Supreme ●​ Suspend SC ●​ OneGuard ●​ Talak ●​ Purespray Green ●​ Talstar P ●​ Horticultural Oil ●​ Talstar PI Gran 25# ●​ Onslaught FastCap ●​ Talstar Professional ●​ Onslaught ●​ Tartan Stressgard (Hadlock) ●​ Optigard Ant Gel Bait ●​ Taurus SC ●​ OPTIGARD COCKROACH GEL ●​ Tekko Pro IGR BAIT ●​ Tempo 1% Dust ●​ PCQ Pro ●​ Tempo SC Ultra ●​ Phantom Insecticide//Termiticide ●​ Tempo Ultra Wettable Powder ●​ Phantom II Pressurized Insecticide ●​ Temprid Fx ●​ Pinpoint Fungicide (Riverside) ●​ Terad - 3 Page 5 of 7 Page 9  ●​ Termidor SC ●​ Velista Fungicide (Riverside) ●​ Terro-PCO Liquid Ant Bait ●​ Vendetta Cockroach Gel- Bait ●​ Title Phyte (Hadlock) ●​ Vendetta Cockroach Gel Plus ●​ Transport GHP Agency ●​ Vendetta Cockroach Gel Nitro ●​ Transport Mikron ●​ Victor M330 Roach Pheromone ●​ Tree-Age G4 ●​ Wall Wash ●​ Triact 70 ●​ Wasp Freeze/Whitmire Wasp Freeze ●​ Tri-Die Dust ●​ Weatherblok XT ●​ TriTek ●​ Wisdom TC Flowable Insecticide ●​ Tuque exoGEM (Riverside) ●​ Xzemplar Fungicide (Riverside, ●​ Ultracide Flea IGR Hadlock) ●​ Unitex Powerhouse ●​ Up Star Gold Summary of Commercial Applicator Annual Reporting Summary Data (2019 to 2024) Portland Pesticide Annual 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 Report Areas # of Pesticide Annual Reports 33 36 40 44 36 22 Submitted Resident Complaints (Portland 3 7 12 6 12 0 SeeClickFix) # of Waivers Submitted 2 0 0 1 1 2 # of Waivers Submitted 1 0 0 0 0 0 Approved # of Education and Outreach 12 8 5 2 4 7 Efforts Held Education and Outreach Efforts in 2024 ●​ In March, Portland and South Portland Sustainability Office staff organized an in-person Coffee & Climate event that featured Andrew Tufts, habitat stewardship and landscape management expert from Maine Audubon. During this event, we answered questions about both Cities’ Landcare Ordinances, shared highlights from South Portland’s 100 Resilient Yards program, and provided electric lawn tool demos to participants. To promote this event, we also covered the City’s landcare ordinances and their importance in our monthly One Climate Future newsletter. ●​ Sustainability Office staff continued outreach efforts with the educational campaign “Mow Tall Until Fall”. Since 2023, we have handed out 750 yard signs at community events (e.g., Portland Farmers Market, Wayside Pop-up Picnic events, Earth Day). Page 6 of 7 Page 10  ●​ The May edition of the West End News covered “Tall Grass is for the Bees” as the front page news. The article featured quotes from their interview with Troy, describing the many benefits of mowing tall and planting native flora. ●​ Sustainability Office staff organized four webinars this summer, as part of our Landcare Lunchbreak series. These webinars focused on a variety of sustainable landcare topics and are available on our Landcare website and our YouTube channel. ○​ “Soil Science & How to Test Your Soils” with Jason Lilley of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, covered sustainable soil management and how to conduct a soil test and interpret test results. ○​ “The Dirty Truth About Urban Runoff” with Will Everitt of Friends of Casco Bay, covered the influence of landcare practices on our water ecosystems. ○​ “Healthy Lawncare Made Easy” with Cumberland County Soil and Water covered weed and pest management, renovating an unhealthy lawn, and tips to minimize your reliance on pesticides, fertilizers, and watering. ○​ “Preparing Your Lawn for Winter” with landcare professional, Jesse O'Brien, offered practical advice and eco-friendly techniques to ensure your lawn remains healthy and resilient throughout the colder months. ●​ Throughout the year, Sustainability Office staff had seven opportunities in 2024 to present to Portland elementary, middle, or high school students about the work we do, including our programming around sustainable landcare and composting. ●​ This summer, Sustainability Office staff visited local retailers to notify them of the Ordinance requirement to post signage near pesticides alerting customers of the Landcare Ordinance. ●​ The City of Portland Landcare website was updated with the new ordinance information and continues to be updated regularly by City staff. See the website at portlandmaine.gov/landcare ●​ This year, Sustainability Office staff conducted outreach promoting Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens Workshops to landcare professionals and licensed applicators in Cumberland County. Waiver Requests There were two waiver requests submitted in 2024. ●​ There were two waiver applications from the same applicant to treat knotweed. The first waiver was denied because the knotweed had become too tall to treat in the proposed manner. The second waiver was heard and the committee was split in decision. The applicant appealed to the City Manager and the waiver was ultimately approved. Portland See-Click-Fix Resident Complaints on Pesticide Use ●​ The City of Portland relies on community-sourced reporting through the SeeClickFix platform to monitor compliance with the Landcare Ordinance. In 2024, residents filed three SeeClickFix reports about potential Landcare Ordinance violations. Page 7 of 7 Page 11