SENATE MEMORIAL 22

55th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2021

INTRODUCED BY

Brenda McKenna

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO APPOINT A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE USE OF PESTICIDES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, ON PUBLIC SCHOOL GROUNDS AND ON PUBLIC LAND THAT IS USED BY OR NEAR WHERE THE PUBLIC RECREATES OR OTHERWISE USES THE LAND AND TO REPORT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON ECOLOGICAL PEST MANAGEMENT AND THE NEED TO ELIMINATE OR LIMIT THE USE OF DANGEROUS OR TOXIC PESTICIDES THAT ARE HARMFUL TO HUMANS AND ANIMALS.

     WHEREAS, pesticides are used in homes, in other buildings and in the environment to prevent, destroy, repel or mitigate insects, rodents, fungi, weeds, bacteria and other microorganisms that have a deleterious effect on humans, animals and plants; and

     WHEREAS, it is no exaggeration to say that pesticides have saved millions of lives through the eradication of many insect- or rodent-carried diseases or in saving and increasing crop yields; and

     WHEREAS, while modern pesticides may be efficient in controlling or destroying pests, some of these laboratory-created poisons may also harm or kill farm workers, children, pets and wildlife; and

     WHEREAS, two of the most common pesticides, glyphosate and clorpyrifos, have been in the news in the last few years because overwhelming scientific evidence points to their danger to humans; and

     WHEREAS, children are more susceptible to hazardous impacts from pesticides than adults and have "critical windows of vulnerability" whereby even small amounts of pesticide exposure can result in significant health effects, including neurotoxicity and death; and

     WHEREAS, pesticides can be harmful to wildlife, including threatened and endangered species, soil microbiology and natural ecosystems, and toxic runoff from chemical fertilizers and pesticides pollutes streams, lakes and drinking water sources; and

     WHEREAS, the federal environmental protection agency has recommended the use of a pest management system that emphasizes nonchemical approaches to pest control, particularly in areas in which children are present, such as parks and school grounds; and

     WHEREAS, ecological land and building management practices that emphasize organic methods of pest prevention and management can eliminate the use of and exposure to pesticides while controlling pest populations; and

     WHEREAS, toxic pesticides should only be used in a designated emergency situation after other options have been attempted and exhausted and there is an imminent threat to public health; and

     WHEREAS, the people of New Mexico have a fundamental right to know about the use of pesticides where children learn and play and families gather to enjoy the outdoors;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of environment and the public education department be requested to appoint a task force to study the use of pesticides in public schools and on public school grounds and on state and local public land that is used for outdoor recreation or exercise, street medians, public rights of way or other public property that is used by or is near property used by the public; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force include representatives of state and local governments, public schools, indoor and outdoor pesticide applicators, acequia and ditch associations, outdoor recreation enthusiasts, wildlife experts, public health officials or researchers, health care providers and the public; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to consider the efficacy of ecological pest management, including benefits and drawbacks, for both indoor and outdoor use; the health effects of certain classes or categories of pesticides; and under what circumstances dangerous or toxic pesticide use should be allowed in public school buildings, on school grounds or on or near land used by the public; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force report its findings and recommendations by November 1, 2021 to the governor, the legislature and appropriate local government officials; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of environment, the secretary of public education and the New Mexico municipal league and the New Mexico association of counties for distribution to local government officials.

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