Sebastian temporary lifting weed-spraying ban for limited test of W.O.W alternative
SEBASTIAN — The city will lift its moratorium on spraying herbicides long enough for City Manager Paul Carlisle to test an environmentally-friendly, non-toxic product called Wack-Out-Weeds, or W.O.W., on aquatic weeds.
The City Council on Wednesday unanimously agreed to lift the moratorium but established parameters that limits the number of locations where the tests can take place; requires third-party oversight of the testing by a volunteer environmentalist; and provides notice to the public that testing is taking place.
“We’re only talking about providing an exemption for the city manager,” said Mayor Ed Dodd. “He has done a test in a non-aquatic environment, and the product has worked very well. He needs to be able to do that in order for us to move forward.”
More: Indian River County stops using Roundup weed killer
Carlisle and his staff will try the product in several small aquatic test plots, including at Garden and Hardy parks and in a yet-to-be-determined section of the Elkham Canal.
The city previously has tested W.O.W. on non-aquatic test patches with good results.
In one recent test, W.O.W. far surpassed Round-Up in its control of the weeds, said Carlisle. He said he hopes to try it on different vegetation types — cattails, spatterdock and water lilies and water hyacinths.
More: Sebastian seeks alternatives to spraying weeds
When used as directed, W.O.W., a biodegradable product, is safe for use around people, pets and aquatic life, according to the manufacturer. It is designated by the Environmental Protection Agency as a minimal risk, Carlisle said
W.O.W. consists of a combination of dish soap and salt, a combination Indian River County officials this week said has shown good results. The county has stopped spraying glyphosate, a chemical believed to cause cancer and possibly algae blooms, at 40 parks and the Sandridge Golf Course. A minimal amount still is used to control weeds on county conservation lands.
Roundup roundup
Here are other Treasure Coast municipalities' policies on glyphosate aka Roundup:
Martin County: Stopped using it in June 2019
Stuart: Stopped using it in September 2018
Sebastian: On Nov. 20 started a 120-day moratorium on using herbicides and pesticides at parks and a one-year moratorium for use along waterways while coming up with a long-term policy, according to City Manager Paul E. Carlisle
Port St. Lucie: Continues to use it where applicable, as well as several biological alternatives, according to Deputy Public Works Director John Dunton
Vero Beach: Public Works Grounds Maintenance Division, which does about 75% of the spraying in the city, uses a glyphosate-free product; the Streets Division and the Water and Sewer Department, which do the remaining 25%, use products with glyphosate, according to City Manager Monte K. Falls
St. Lucie County: Uses glyphosate products. The County Commission has not discussed a ban, according to spokesman Erick Gill.
Public meetings
Sebastian will hold two meetings for residents to learn more about the use of integrated pest-management systems as alternatives to chemical spraying of herbicides.
WHEN: 5 p.m. Wednesday and 1:30 p.m. Jan. 23
WHERE: Sebastian City Hall, 1225 Main St.
TCPalm environment reporter Tyler Treadway contributed to this report.