RES 2016-11 CONCERNING THE USE OF NEONICOTINOIDS
RESOLUTION NO. 2016-11
A RESOLUTION of the City of Bainbridge Island,
Washington, concerning the use of neonicotinoid insecticides.
WHEREAS, neonicotinoids, one of the most widely used classes of insecticides, are
systemic, persistent neurotoxins that translocate throughout all parts of plants, including leaves,
guttation fluids pollen and nectar; and
WHEREAS, a large and growing body of independent, peer-reviewed scientific studies
demonstrate that neonicotinoids adversely impact beneficial soil invertebrates, avian and aquatic
organisms, contaminate water resources and soils, and contaminate the pollen and nectar that is
gathered by pollinators; and
WHEREAS, studies have shown that neonicotinoids are endangering pollinators
through acute poisonings as well as through chronic sublethal exposures, which can weaken immune
defenses, causing increased susceptibility to natural stressors such as parasites, pathogens (bacterial,
viral and fungal diseases), and poor nutrition due to habitat loss and industrial agricultural systems,
and studies have shown other adverse effects associated with neonicotinoids, including delays in
larval development, decreases in queen survival and negative effects on feeding, navigational and
reproductive behaviors; and
WHEREAS, the loss of pollinators is alarmingly high, with commercial honeybee
colonies experiencing as much as 50 percent over-winter losses each year since 2006, and with a
dramatic decline in populations of wild bees, butterflies, birds and other pollinators, as well as
invertebrates in soil and water systems, to date, nearly one quarter of North American bumble bees
and 17% of North American butterflies are at risk of extinction; and
WHEREAS, threats to pollinators concern the entire food system, where pollination
services provided by honeybees and other essential pollinators account for one in every three bites of
food and are valued at $20 to $30 billion in agricultural production annually in the United States; and
WHEREAS, municipal, residential and commercial use of neonicotinoid and other
systemic pesticides on home gardens, public parks, school grounds and other local and municipal
areas pose unacceptable risks to bees, other pollinators and aquatic invertebrates, and furthermore
their introduction into the environment is often unintentional and/or inadvertent, since labeling is not
required for treated nursery materials; and
WHEREAS, this same municipal, residential and commercial use of neonicotinoid and
other systemic pesticides on home gardens, public parks, school grounds and other local and
municipal areas may pose health risks to human residents; and
WHEREAS, the use of hazardous and persistent pesticides, including systemic
neonicotinoids, is not necessary to create and maintain green lawns and landscapes, home and public
gardens and open spaces, given the availability of viable alternative practices and products; and
WHEREAS, responding to scientific studies and finding that neonicotinoids pose
unacceptable hazards to pollinators, the European Union in 2013 instituted a ban on some uses of
neonicotinoids which will remain in place until 2017, at which time it will be re-evaluated based on
the results of a European Food Safety Authority study regarding the toxicity of neonicotinoids, and
WHEREAS, 23 US cities and counties, including Seattle, Spokane, and Thurston County in
Washington and Portland, Cannon Beach, and Eugene in Oregon have instituted resolutions and/or
bans against municipal use of neonicotinoids, while the US Fish and Wildlife Service has banned the
use of neonicotinoids on all 150 million acres of its National Wildlife Refuge System; and
WHEREAS, in 2016 the City of Bainbridge Island, Bainbridge Island Fire Department,
Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Parks and Recreation District, Bainbridge Island School District,
Kitsap Regional Library – Bainbridge Island Branch, Kitsap Conservation District along with eleven
local organizations have partnered to launch the Pollinator Improvement Project, which identifies a
number of initiatives to make the island more pollinator friendly, and
WHEREAS, two local garden retailers in the City of Bainbridge Island currently offer
pollinator friendly garden products, ranging from organic pesticides and fertilizers to neonic-free
plants and landscaping materials, one national retailer located on the island has pledged to label
pollinator friendly products, and one producer of home and garden neonicotinoid products pledged to
phase products containing neonicotinoids out by 2021;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WASHINGTON, THAT:
1. That the City of Bainbridge Island will not apply neonicotinoids for any purpose on its
city-managed parks, playing fields, rights of way, along watersheds and ditches, open
space lands, public trees and landscapes or in its buildings or other areas under its
ownership and jurisdiction, with exceptions only being allowed under a rigorous and
transparent exemption process for the application of neonicotinoids for the purposes of (1)
a well-defined research study; or (2) when the life or health of a valuable or significant
tree is threatened and neonicotinoid application is the least environmentally impactful
option.
2. That the City of Bainbridge Island will seek to purchase landscaping materials, including
plants and seeds, that have not been treated with neonicotinoids and hereby urges all
businesses, homeowners and HOAs operating within the city to take steps to ensure no
plants, seeds or products containing neonicotinoids are purchased, sold or used within the
city to clearly and accurately label any plants or materials that contain neonicotinoids, or
that have been treated with neonicotinoids.
3. That the City of Bainbridge Island hereby urges all related parties, both public and
private, at the county, state and federal levels to suspend neonicotinoids, including the
planting of coated seed, unless a thorough scientific, legal and regulatory review of their
impacts on honeybees, other pollinators, natural enemies and non-target organisms,
which includes the full body of peer-reviewed literature, is completed and a public health
and environmental assessment can prove their safety.
4.That the City of Bainbridge Island recognizes the importance of pollinators and their
services, and will support and actively engage in efforts to educate the broader
community about the actions it is taking; and, furthermore, the City will encourage
other entities, businesses, schools, neighborhoods and households, and also the
county, state and the federal governments to adopt similar policies.
PASSED by the City Council this 14th day of June, 2016.
APPROVED by the Mayor this 14th day of June, 2016.
Val Tollefson, Mayor
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATE:
Rosalind D. Lassoff, City Clerk
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: May 16, 2016
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: June 14, 2016
RESOLUTION NO.: 2016-11