The City has adopted an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Policy that sets forth the guiding principles for the use of IPM procedures and techniques on all City-owned properties. The Policy recommends and promotes the use of non-toxic and reduced-risk alternatives for structural and landscape pest controls. The IPM Policy and plan for the implementation of the policy were approved by the Executive Leadership Team. City Staff will be incorporating the IPM Policy and practices outlined in the Implementation Plan in the City’s Administrative Policy Manual. Staff training as to the contents of the policy and implementation plan will be ongoing.

The City’s NPDES Stormwater Discharge Permit issued by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) Order No. 01-024 requires the City to develop a pesticide toxicity control plan to address pesticide impairment of urban streams. The plan is required to be applicable to all city-owned property. In particular, organophosphate pesticides such as Diazinon and Chlorpyrifos were identified as causing impairment to water quality in some urban streams by the RWQCB. A work group consisting of staff from Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Human Resources, and the Office of the City Manager with assistance from an IPM consulting firm, developed the Sunnyvale IPM Policy and Implementation Plan. The IPM Policy and Implementation Plan developed by the work group were circulated to the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) for review and approval. All comment received from ELT were incorporated into the final Policy that was distributed in July. Staff are in the process of incorporating the approved IPM Plan and Policy into the City’s Administrative Policy Manual.

The Department of Parks and Recreation has had an IPM Policy in place for City Parks since April 2000. The Department of Public Works had incorporated best management practices for pesticide applications that incorporated IPM principles as a part of the Median and Road Embankment Maintenance activities outlined in the City’s 1997 Urban Runoff Management Plan. However, there was not a citywide Integrated Pest Management (IPM) policy in place that met the requirements of Provision C.9.d of NPDES Stormwater Discharge Permit Order No. 01-024. Education and training regarding IPM practices are currently provided to City staff who are licensed to apply pesticides and do so as a normal part of their job duties. However, education and outreach to all City staff about IPM practices have been done on only a limited basis to date.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a decision-making process for managing pests that uses monitoring to determine if pest-caused injury levels reach an unacceptable level and determine the best methods for pest control. IPM uses the most appropriate combination of available pest control methods for a given site and pest situation in ways that minimize economic, health, and environmental risks. These include:

• Biological controls (e.g., natural enemies or predators)

• Physical or mechanical controls (e.g., hand labor or mowing)

• Cultural controls (e.g., mulching, disking, or alternative plant type selection)

• Reduced risk chemical controls (e.g., soaps or oils)

IPM methods allow for the use of the least hazardous pesticides for controlling pests, if needed.

The City’s IPM Policy recommends and promotes the use of non-toxic and reduced-risk alternatives for structural and landscape pest controls. Restrictions are placed on the use of pesticides that contain organophosphate compounds such as Diazinon or Chlorpyrifos. These pesticides persist in the environment and have been found to cause water quality impairment in some South Bay area urban creeks and streams.

The Policy also requires that all City employees receive training regarding IPM practices and the City’s Policy and Implementation Plan. Employees who are not authorized or licensed to recommend and apply pesticides are prohibited from applying pesticides in the work place, including those that can be purchased over-the-counter for home use. This will help to provide for a safe worker environment and help protect water quality. The Policy also requires that new contracts negotiated with pest management contractors employed by the City follow the same practices and procedures that City employees are required to follow. In addition, City Property Leaseholders will be provided with information on the IPM Policy and Implementation Plan and encouraged to use IPM practices. As new leases are negotiated, City staff will use reasonable efforts to require leaseholders to use the practices outlined in the IPM Policy and Implementation Plan on the leased city properties.

The implementation of the IPM Policy will not require an increase in existing Department budgets. It will require that City staff time be spent on training, record keeping, and reporting to the RWQCB. These activities are routinely done to comply with provisions of the City’s NPDES Stormwater Discharge Permit by various City staff.

Prepared by:

Lorrie B. Gervin
Environmental Division Manager

Reviewed by:
Marvin A. Rose
Director of Public Works

Robert Walker

Director of Parks and Recreation

Approved by:

Robert S. LaSala

City Manager