New England Nursery Association's Green Summit
Reorganization of College of Life Sciences and Agriculture
Licensing for Landscape Architects in New Hampshire
Invasive Species Issue
Pesticide Licensing / Informational Updates
House Bill on Snow Plow Attachments
Insect Pests
General Landscaping Practices
New England Nursery Association's Green Summit
Green Industry Leaders Convene for Essential Educational Experience
BOSTON, Mass.—New England Nursery Association’s second annual
Green Summit featured an interactive, idea-packed, learning
experience focused on industry trends and business planning for the
future. This unique educational seminar designed specifically for the
green industry took place October 18-20, 2006 at the Cranwell Resort
in Lenox, MA. Participants included industry professionals from the
region’s leading garden centers, wholesale nurseries and landscape
contractors.
Green Summit attendees heard from two dynamic keynote speakers who
outlined the competitive factors shaping American businesses today.
Investigative journalist Charles Fishman discussed insights gained
through research for his book, The Wal-Mart Effect, focusing on
suppliers’ positive and negative experiences with the king of the
big box business model and competitive lessons learned. Fast Company
magazine founder, Bill Taylor, spoke about ways small and mid-sized
companies can out-think the competition using entrepreneurial
examples he encountered while researching his new book, Mavericks at
Work. Participants also received a hot-off-the-press copy of his book.
Summit facilitators, Lynn Courier and Jon Hockman from Dream Dare Do
(d3), engaged participants in discussions designed to capitalize on
the keynote speakers’ remarks and encouraged productive interaction
centered on green industry trends. They led participants in
energizing exercises drawing on transformative learning and maverick
thinking themes, including a popular group exercise based on the best-
selling book, Blue Ocean Strategy.
“The Green Summit is ultimately about learning new ways to think
about your work and your company’s goals,” said Greg Schaan,
Chairman of NENA’s Green Summit committee and president of Imperial
Nurseries in Granby, Conn. “Conference attendees were exposed to a
multitude of ideas and lessons packed into two days. Now it is our
responsibility to bring those ideas back home and use them to
transform our professional lives and help lead our companies towards
a more successful future.”
Throughout the two days, seminar attendees were inspired by the
formal and informal exchange of ideas with their peers. Central
themes emerging from this year’s Summit included transformative
business models, preparing for the future, and continuing last
year’s dialogue about change—both within the industry and within
specific businesses. Generational differences were also a major theme
as the industry grapples with attracting youthful employees and
individual businesses prepare succession strategies.
“Participating in the Green Summit allows time to think, something
we don’t always have the luxury to do,” said Mario Lupone of
Clinton Nurseries in Westbrook, Conn. “The educational sessions also
help us anticipate shifts in industry and business trends so we can
make changes before it is too late.”
This year’s seminar schedule was structured to allow more time for
participants to reflect on personal and professional goals. As
always, interaction with industry colleagues, both during and outside
of seminar sessions, was encouraged. Fun activities rounded out the
experience, including a pumpkin carving party, permitting ample time
for sharing ideas in a relaxed setting.
“It’s important to cultivate the alliance between different parts
of the green industry,” said Monique Allen of The Garden Continuum,
Inc. in Medfield, Mass. “The Green Summit presents an optimal
opportunity to keep that dialogue open.”
Summit participants left the educational event with a completed
learning journal and an action plan for themselves and their
businesses. Each participant also received a year’s subscription to
Fast Company magazine and an extensive list of recommended books. To
promote further learning, participants are strongly encouraged to
participate in on-line forum designed to foster an on-going exchange
of ideas and meet individual goals. A reunion is planned at New
England Grows, which will be held February 6 through February 8, 2007
at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.
“The Green Summit is not just an information-gathering opportunity,
it’s also an opportunity to build relationships within the
industry,” said Don Ward, Jr. of The Don Ward Company in Great
Barrington, Mass. “Being here in this setting with colleagues makes
it easier to set aside daily tasks and focus on learning from the
speakers and each other.”
NENA’s Green Summit was supported by more than 20 founding sponsors.
Next year’s educational conference is already in the planning stages
and will be held October 10-12, 2007. For more information or to join
the mailing list for next year, please contact NENA at
info@NEnsyAssn.org or call (508) 653-3112.
The mission of the New England Nursery Association is to enhance the
nursery industry network through education, support of state and
national activities, and increased awareness of the value of nursery
products and services.
Green industry leaders participated in NENA’s Green Summit,
October 18-20, 2006 in Lenox, Mass.
Click here for Group Photo.
Reorganization of COLSA
As you may know, the UNH Plant Biology Department has lost yet another faculty member, Paul Fisher. Over the last 5 years, the department has lost either through retirement and attrition 50% of its staff that teach in the horticulture program. What is more disturbing are that these positions are not slated to be re-staffed, due to the ongoing reorganization within COLSA. There are at least 2 more horticulture faculty getting ready to retire in the next couple years. Currently COLSA is operating at a $1 million deficit and is seeking to save money by eliminating positions.
This reorganization could not come at a worse time- UNH is hiring a new President and COLSA is seeking a new Dean.
The largest and fastest growing segment of agriculture in the State and region is in danger of not having NH educated employees available due to these cuts. This means out of state tuition for our kids and future owners and managers. We must act and let our legislators, the UNH Interim President and the UNH Trustees know that the Plant Biology Department and horticulture program is essential to maintain as part of UNH. As a land grant university- we are dependent on the value of local/ regional research to stay competitive in the Green Industry marketplace.
Please take the time to read the pdf file below, then ACT! Time is of the essence for us to be successful. Please call or write your colleagues, the Farm Bureau, the members of the Ag Committee, and the UNH Trusteess (see the pdf below), including Steve Taylor, the Commissioner of Agriculture.
Sincerely,
Rick Simpson, Horticultural Industries Council Chair
Click here for pdf supporting documentation.
Licensing for Landscape Architects in New Hampshire
NH Landscape Architects get Licensed! The latest information can be found at www.nh.gov/jtboard/lsa.htm
Why does the State of New Hampshire need to license Landscape Architects?
Why do New Hampshire Landscape Architects need to be licensed in New Hampshire?
What is Landscape Architecture?
WHY DOES THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE NEED TO LICENSE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS?
To protect the public from physical injury due to faulty design
For example: slip, trip and fall injuries from poorly designed or installed steps, walkways, playgrounds; vehicular injuries caused by poor sight distances
To protect the public from financial loss due to faulty design
For example: the cost to have to do a project over, the cost of paying for another’s injuries
To protect the public from environmental or ecological damage due to faulty design
For example: the destruction of wetlands and/or wildlife habitats, erosion, flooding, clear cutting of woodlands
To protect the public from social and emotional damage due to faulty design
For example: the destruction of historic sites, view sheds and vistas, the loss of open spaces and forests
To protect the public from misleading credentials
For example: anyone can call themselves a landscape architect, advertise, and be listed in the yellow pages as a landscape architect
WHY DO NEW HAMPSHIRE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS NEED TO BE LICENCED IN NEW HAMPSHIRE?
To give them the opportunity to compete for in-state jobs that require licensure
For example: Federal, state and local government agencies that require licensed landscape architects for in-state jobs must accept out of state licenses. This hurts NH landscape architects who must go out of state to take exams and pay out of state boards to maintain licenses
To give them equal status with allied professionals
For example: most land use professionals are licensed in NH—this includes engineers, surveyors, architects, soils/wetlands scientists and geologists
To give them equal status with landscape architects in other states
All but three states in the union have some type of licensure/certification
Landscape architects are NOT landscapers
WHAT IS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE?
Landscape architecture encompasses the analysis, planning, design, management, and stewardship of the natural and built environments. Types of projects include: residential; parks and recreation; monuments; urban design; streetscapes and public spaces; transportation corridors and facilities; gardens and arboreta; security design; hospitality and resorts; institutional; academic campuses; therapeutic gardens; historic preservation and restoration; reclamation; conservation; corporate and commercial; landscape art and earth sculpture; interior landscapes; and more. Landscape architects have advanced education and professional training and are licensed in 47 states.
Landscape architects have had major roles in the creation of many of New Hampshire’s man-made landmarks and a major role in preserving natural landmarks
There are 72 members of the Granite State Architects, Many of whom are licensed in other states
The American Society of Landscape Architects has over 15,000 members and has been active since 1899
47 states currently license landscape architects, 38 states have practice acts, 9 states have title acts and 3 states (Vermont, New Hampshire and Colorado) don’t have any form of licensure for landscape architects.
NH landscape architects must go out of state to take exams and pay out of state boards to maintain licenses
Federal, and State agencies doing land planning projects in New Hampshire sometimes require licensed landscape architects to work on projects—we must use out of state stamps or hope that landscape architects in other states have the best interests of NH in mind.
Manchester, Concord, Plaistow and Amherst planning boards all require a landscape architects stamp on landscape plans—we must use out of state stamps or the project would go to out of state firms.
The public is currently not protected from anyone claiming to be landscape architects
Landscape architects are covered by major insurance companies for “errors and omissions”
The job climate in New Hampshire for landscape architects is hampered by the lack of professional validation that licensure would create. Young, talented individuals seek out-of-state firms for jobs.
Many master planning and landscape projects are awarded to out of state firms because the landscape architecture profession in NH lacks the professional validation of being licensed. The UNH Master plan was done by an out of state firm.
Most landscape architects have either a Bachelors or Masters degree in an accredited landscape architectural program.
Most licensed landscape architects have apprenticed a minimum of 2-8 years under a licensed landscape architect
Most landscape architects have passed a rigorous 3 day, 18 hour exam administered by CLARB
Resource Information on Invasives - The New England Invasive Plant Group (NIPGro)
Opinion Poll - Invasive Species
House Bill 1258-FN
Proposed Prohibited Plant and Insects Lists, Prohibited Plants with Restrictions List, and a Restricted Plant List for Invasive Species in New Hampshire - July 2002
Criteria for Prohibited Invasive Plants in New Hampshire
University of Maine Cooperative Extension Invasive Plant Fact Sheets
Invasive Species Update by Lynne Hardy from Millican Nursery
Resource Information on Invasives - The New England Invasive Plant Group (NIPGro)
Opinion Poll - Invasive Species
One important issue that faces our industry is that of Invasive Species.
The Invasive Species Committee has compiled a list of plants that they have categorized as invasive because they fit the criteria used to determine the level of threat to the environment, health of native species, forest crop production, or to human health.
The effects of House Bill 1258-FN may or may not affect your business - we would like to know your opinion. If you have not read the language of House Bill 1258-FN you can find it on this page of the website. Please take a few minutes and answer some questions. Your input will help us determine the overall view of the NHLA membership on the Invasive Species Bill.
Once compiled, a letter will be addressed to the Invasive Species Committee indicating our opinion. On this page you will also find a link to the list of the proposed prohibited plants. Your opinion is important to us. Please click here to fill out the questionnaire and hit the "Submit" button. Thank you.
House Bill 1258-FN
CHAPTER 88
HB 1258-FN - FINAL VERSION
24feb00.....3231h
13april00.....4134-EBA
2000 SESSION
00-2030
08/10
HOUSE BILL 1258-FN
AN ACT relative to invasive plant, insect, and fungal species.
SPONSORS: Rep. L. Pratt, Coos 4; Rep. Babson, Carr 5; Rep. Melcher, Hills 11; Rep. Owens, Merr 6; Rep. Philbrick; Carr 4; Sen. Russman, Dist 19; Sen. Disnard, Dist 8
COMMITTEE: Environment and Agriculture
ANALYSIS
This bill:
- Requires the commissioner of agriculture, markets, and food to conduct research and educational activities which address the effects of invasive plant, insect, and fungal species upon the state.
- Requires the commissioner to make recommendations for control of invasive species.
- Creates an invasive species committee to advise the commissioner on matters relating to invasive species.
- Requires the commissioner to publish annually lists of invasive species that present potential or immediate danger to the environmental and economic interests of the state.
- Provides the commissioner with authority to prohibit collection, possession, transportation, sale, propagation, transplantation, or cultivation of listed species.
- Allows the commissioner to accept grants, gifts, bequests, and donations which support the purposes of this bill.
- Provides the commissioner with rulemaking authority to carry out the provisions of this bill.
- Provides the commissioner with authority to administer and enforce the provisions of this bill.
- Provides penalties for violations of the provisions of this bill.
Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
24feb00.....3231h
13april00.....4134-EBA
00-2030
08/10
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand
AN ACT relative to invasive plant, insect, and fungal species.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
88:1 New Subdivision; Invasive Species. Amend RSA 430 by inserting after section 50 the following new subdivision:
Invasive Species
430:51 Declaration of Purpose. The purpose of this subdivision is to recognize the adverse environmental and economic effects of invasive plant, insect, and fungal species upon the state; to establish the means by which the state shall address and minimize such adverse effects; to promote research and educational activities dealing with invasive species so as to achieve the best possible protection of agricultural, forest, wildlife, and other natural resources of the state and of human health; and to prevent and control the spread of invasive species in the state.
430:52 Definitions. In this subdivision:
- "Alien species" means with respect to a particular ecosystem, any species, including its seeds, eggs, spores, or other biological material capable of propagating or reproducing that species, that is not native to that ecosystem.
- "Commissioner" means the commissioner of agriculture, markets, and food.
- "Committee" means the invasive species committee as established by this subdivision.
- "Control" means, as appropriate, eradicating, suppressing, reducing, or managing invasive species populations, preventing spread of invasive species from areas where they are present, and taking steps such as restoration of native species and habitats to reduce the effects of invasive species and to prevent further invasions.
- "Fungi" means all non-chlorophyll-bearing thallophytes (that is, all non-chlorophyll-bearing plants of a lower order than mosses and liverworts) as, for example, rusts, smuts, mildews, molds, yeasts, and bacteria, except those on or in living man or other animals.
- "Insect" means any of the numerous small invertebrate animals generally having the body more or less obviously segmented, for the most part belonging to the class Insecta, comprising 6-legged, usually winged forms, as, for example, beetles, bugs, bees, flies, and to other allied classes of arthropods whose members are wingless and usually have more than 6 legs, as, for example, spiders, mites, ticks, centipedes, and wood lice.
- "Invasive species" means an alien species whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.
- "Native species" means with respect to a particular ecosystem, a species that, other than as a result of an introduction, historically occurred or currently occurs in that ecosystem.
- "Person" means any individual, governmental entity, firm, partnership, corporation, company, society, association, or any organized group of persons whether incorporated or not, and every officer, agent, or employee thereof.
430:53 Powers and Duties of the Commissioner.
- The commissioner shall conduct research and educational activities which address the environmental and economic effects of invasive species upon the state. The commissioner shall solicit support for and participation by other state and federal government entities, the University of New Hampshire and private entities in such activities.
- The commissioner shall disseminate information on and make recommendations for control of invasive species.
- The commissioner shall consult with the invasive species committee and prepare and publish by April 1 annually a list of invasive species deemed to present an immediate danger to the health of native species, to the environment, to commercial agricultural or forest crop production, or to human health. The commissioner shall have authority to prohibit collection possession, importation, transportation, sale, propagation, transplantation or cultivation by any person of any species so listed. Such list shall be known as the "New Hampshire prohibited invasive species list."
- The commissioner shall consult with the invasive species committee and prepare and publish by April 1 annually a list of species which present the potential for environmental or economic harm but for which such potential may be reduced or eliminated by cultural or biological practices. Such list shall be known as the "New Hampshire restricted invasive species list."
- The commissioner shall apply for and accept grants, gifts, bequests and donations which support the purposes of this subdivision.
430:54 Committee Established.
- The invasive species committee is hereby established to advise the commissioner on matters relating to invasive species in the state. It shall consist of the following 9 members:
- The state entomologist.
- The commissioner of environmental services, or designee.
- The commissioner of resources and economic development, or designee.
- The commissioner of transportation, or designee.
- The executive director of fish and game, or designee.
- The dean of the college of life sciences and agriculture of the University of New Hampshire, or designee.
- Three persons appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the executive council who shall each serve for a term of 3 years. One shall represent horticultural interests, one shall represent environmental interests, and one shall represent the general public.
- The committee shall annually choose one of its members to serve as chairperson.
430:55 Administrative Authority; Inspection; Rulemaking. The commissioner of agriculture, markets, and food shall adopt rules in accordance with RSA 541-A for carrying out provisions of this subdivision. The commissioner shall, in person or by deputy or agent, have free access at all reasonable hours to any place, building or vehicle in which prohibited species may be harbored. The commissioner shall have general authority to administer and enforce the provisions of this subdivision and the rules adopted under this subdivision, and to prosecute violations thereof.
430:56 Hearings. When the commissioner learns of any violation of any provision of this subdivision, notice of such violation, together with a copy of the findings, shall be given to the person or persons concerned. Persons so notified shall be afforded a hearing under rules adopted by the commissioner. Affidavits under oath may be received by the commissioner.
430:57 Penalties.
- Any person who is convicted of violating any provision of this subdivision or rule adopted under this subdivision shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. For any subsequent offense, a person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor if a natural person, or guilty of a felony if any other person.
- Any person who violates any provision of this subdivision or any rule adopted or order issued under this subdivision shall, in addition, be liable for a civil forfeiture not to exceed $5,000 for each violation, for each day of a continuing violation, which may be collected in a civil action or in connection with an action for injunctive relief brought by the attorney general.
- Any person who violates any provision of this subdivision, or any rule or order of the commissioner, shall be subject to the imposition of an administrative fine levied by the commissioner, not to exceed $1,000 for each violation.
88:2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
(Approved: April 27, 2000)
(Effective Date: April 27, 2000)
LBAO
00-2030
12/6/99
HB 1258-FN - FISCAL NOTE
AN ACT relative to invasive plant, insect, and fungal species.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), Judicial Council and Department of Corrections have determined this bill may increase state and county expenditures by an indeterminable amount in FY 2001 and each year thereafter. There will be no fiscal impact on local expenditures or state, county and local revenue.
METHODOLOGY:
The AOC stated this bill creates a new category of misdemeanor and felony level offense. The AOC has determined this legislation will have little, if any, fiscal impact on the Branch as it will not significantly impact caseload.
The Judicial Council assumed that any cases arising from the enactment of this law for which the Indigent Defense Fund may be liable, will in the first instance be handled by the Public Defender or contract attorneys who accept these cases on a fixed fee basis of $250 for each misdemeanor charge. If an assigned counsel attorney must be used, the hourly rate of $60, with a fee cap of $1,000 for misdemeanor cases will apply. If a motion to exceed the fee cap is approved and/or "services other than counsel" are approved, these will also be chargeable to the Indigent Defense Fund. The Council is unable to predict the number of cases or trials which may arise as a result of the passage of this legislation, therefor, they are unable to estimate the dollar amount of the anticipated costs of such representation.
The Department of Corrections is unable to determine how many individuals would be convicted of a felony and serve time in the state prison. The average cost of incarceration for FY 1999 was $19,358 per inmate. The average cost of probation/parole supervision was $842 per offender.
The Department of Agriculture stated any costs of administering this program will be borne by the Department's existing budget. The work falls within the scope of normal activities already being carried out by the Department.
Proposed Prohibited Plant and Insects Lists, Prohibited Plants with Restrictions List, and a Restricted Plant List for Invasive Species in New Hampshire - July 2002
Click here for a list of the Proposed Prohibited Plant and Insects Lists, Prohibited Plants with Restrictions List, and a Restricted Plant List for Invasive Species in New Hampshire - July 2002 as seen on the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services website.
University of Maine Cooperative Extension Invasive Plant Fact Sheets
Plants included are:
- Asiatic Bittersweet
- Common Buckthorn and Glossy Buckthorn
- Japanese Barberry
- Japanese Knotweed/Mexican Bamboo
- Multiflora Rose, Rambler Rose
- Purple Loosestrife
- Shrubby Honeysuckles
Criteria for Prohibited Invasive Plants in New Hampshire (Last Revised July 23,2002)
To be listed as a prohibited invasive plant, the taxon must meet the following criteria:
- Is the taxon non-native to New England?
- Is the taxon naturalized in New England?
- Does the taxon have the biologic potential for widespread dispersion and rapid establishment in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3-6?
- Does the taxon have the biologic potential for dispersing over spatial gaps away from site of introduction in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3-6?
- Does the taxon negatively affect native species, natural communities, commercial agriculture, forest crop production, or human health in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 3-6?
If the answer is YES to all of the questions above, then the taxon meets the criteria as an invasive plant species in New Hampshire and is hereby prohibited.
Invasive Species Update
by Lynne Hardy from Millican Nursery supporting the Plant Growers Association
The buzz word for the past few years through out the country is "Invasives", and New Hampshire is trying to meet this problem head on. Invasives refers to plants that are not indigenous to our area, and are creating harm to our environment by crowding out the native plant communities. As a result of invasive plants and the problems that they pose, New Hampshire growers, landscapers and garden centers will have to eliminate certain species from sales and from utilizing them in their landscapes.
The Invasive Species Committee (ISC) was created in 2002 consisting of 9 members, three were appointed by the Governor of which one is a member of the green industry, and the remainder represents various agencies within the state. The ISC's purpose was to advise the Commissioner of Agriculture on matters concerning the invasive species in this state. Its purpose is to address and minimize adverse effects from invasive species, to promote research and educational activities dealing with invasive species so as to achieve the best possible protection of agricultural, forest, wildlife, and other natural resources of the state and of human health, and to prevent and control the spread of invasive species in the state. The commissioner after consulting the ISC shall publish annually a list of invasive species. The ISC developed criteria that a plant would have to meet to be put on the Proposed Prohibited List which would mean that they would be prohibited from being sold, grown and transported into this state. After reviewing lists of invasive plants in the other states, the ISC identified 35 species which met the criteria, and their cultivars to be placed on the Proposed Prohibited List. Three of the 35 plants from the list were recognized to be of a greater economic impact on the green industry and were placed on a Prohibited with Condition List. Those plants which included Acer platanoides, Euonymous alatus, and Berberis thunbergii were given 3 more years to be eliminated from being sold, grown or entering into the state. The proposals will go before the legislation to be voted on. If the proposal passes it would begin to take effect in January 2004.
The members of the NHPGA board and other interested persons gathered together to discuss how this would impact the green industry, and a statement was written to the ISC outlining our concerns. We met with the ISC to discuss our concerns stated in the letter and to further clarify some of the points that were made in our statement. In a nutshell the NHPGA feels that the green industry bears all the hardship, while not eliminating the invasive species from the state. These plants may not be sold or brought into NH if this is passed by legislation, but the existing plants do not have to be removed from the land. Many of these plants are planted on roadsides, as well as in the landscape, and these plants will continue to set seed and cause problems. If the plant was banned altogether from the state the NHPGA would be in agreement with prohibition.
We also expressed our concerns with the length of time to eliminate and then replace a specie. The time it takes to produce a plant to a saleable size is well over 3 years. It takes time to find and then stock the plants that will prove to be the popular replacement for the invasive plants. The ISC is mandated to produce a list annually. Does this mean that every year the green industry has to worry about eradicating plants in production?
Education has proven to be a better replacement to bans. If the public does not want the plant then it won't be profitable to produce a plant. The NHPGA has asked for educational material as an alternative to the banning plants. The ISC was not interested in that proposal. They stated that voluntary compliance with eradicating plants does not work.
The members of the ISC were interested in some numbers. They would like to know what economic impact of the banning of these plants will cause. There will be a subcommittee established to try to let the ISC know the needs of the green industry. This subcommittee has no voice other than to try to keep communications open, and to let the ISC know the impact of their decisions.
It is important to know that the NHPGA are good stewards of the environment. We are members of the green industry growing plants and keeping hundreds of acres open to agriculture. The desire to eliminate invasives is a good cause and a good concept. We feel it should be done effectively. As the proposal is written now, the green industry bears the entire burden.
Pesticide Licensing / Informational Updates
Changes in Special Permitting for Watershed Areas
Pesticide Licensing - New Law
PESTICIDE APPLICATOR - Requirements
Changes in Special Permitting for Watershed Areas
Wendelyn Chapley, Director - Division of Pesticide Control
Any person who has previously sought to obtained a special permit to apply pesticides within a public water supply watershed, you need to be aware of some significant changes that have been made in the administrative rules that affect who does or does not need such a special permit.
Prior to these changes, no outdoor application of pesticides could be made anywhere within the boundaries of such watersheds without first obtaining a Special Permit from the Division of Pesticide Control. Now, however, Special Permits will only be required when pesticide applications are to be made inside the boundaries of the watersheds within 5 files of any intake that draws water for public consumption, and then only where the pesticides are to be applied within 250 feet of the boundary of the water body itself, or within 250 feet of the tributaries flowing into the water body.
To better understand what this means, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is the application to take place within the boundaries of a public water supply watershed? If no, no special permit is required. If yes, then:
- Is the location within 5 miles of an intake drawing water for public consumption? If no then no special permit is required. If yes, then:
- Is the application to take place within 250 feet of the water body itself, or within 250 feet of any tributary feeding into the water body? If no, then no special permit is required. If yes to this question and question 1 and 2 then a special permit is required.
Of course, to answer these questions it is necessary to know the locations and boundaries of public water supply watersheds, the locations of public water supply intakes, and the locations of the water bodies and the tributaries feeding into them. To determine whether or not you might need a special permit, therefore, it will be necessary to contact the Division of Pesticide Control and provide information about where you intend to apply pesticides and the nature of the application.
One last point pertains to persons engaged in turf applications of pesticides. In the past, watershed special permits were issued for turf applications, but those permits always had a condition prohibiting direct-to-ground applications within 250 feet of any public water supply water body. The permit was still necessary, however, to make such application elsewhere within the watershed you only need it if you intend to apply within 250 feet of the water body. Since that practice has been prohibited in the past, direct-to-ground applications to turf will not be allowed.
If you are engaged in treatment of ornamentals, however, certain types of applications within the 250 foot affected zone might be approved under the new rules, for which you will need a special permit. The conditions in the permit will dictate just what pesticides, application method, and set-backs will be allowed.
To avoid submitting permit applications that might not be needed, please contact the Division to review applications within public water supply watersheds.
Division of Pesticide Control
P.O. Box 2042
Concord, NH 03302-2042
603-271-3550
Pesticide Licensing - New Law
Weekly Bulletin -
A new law that recently took effect opens the way for greatly improved training opportunities for New Hampshire commercial pesticide applicators. For many years these people have been on their own to locate sessions where they can accumulate the educational credits necessary to maintain their licenses.
For most it was necessary to travel out of the state for at least some of the training sessions they needed, but legislation enacted by the General Court now enables NHDAMF's Division of Pesticide Control to put together training programs for commercial applicators and charge reasonable fees to recover actual costs of the sessions.
The first session to be held under this new law is coming up Dec. 17 and will feature presentations by a top expert on pesticide safety coming from Penn State.
Commercial applicators in New Hampshire number over 1,100 and constitute the for-hire segment of the specialty. Private applicators are the other part of the regulated pesticide community, numbering about 550 and primarily being farmers and greenhouse operators doing their own work and not hiring themselves out.
UNH Cooperative Extension has responsibility for providing training sessions needed by the private applicator sector, receiving support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to handle the job. But until now there has been no formal authority at either the federal or state level for conducting commercial applicator training, a shortcoming the legislature recognized and decided to fix.
PESTICIDE APPLICATOR - Requirements
House Bill on Snow Plow Attachments
A bill (HB602) has been introduced before the NH State Legislature that requires a special permit for vehicles with plow attachments, and requires that such vehicles be operated only by persons with plow operator endorsements on their licenses.
The Department stated this bill will require a special permit for vehicles with plow attachments and will require those vehicles to be operated only by persons with plow operator endorsements on their driver licenses. Currently, the Department does not keep statistics on how many vehicles have plow attachments, nor does the Department know how many persons currently operate vehicles with plow attachments.
The bill was introduced and referred to the Transportation commitee, which will make a report on March 6. There was a hearing on February 20, after this Newsletter went to press. To find out more about the bill go to www. gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation.
Insect Pests
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
Asian Long-Horned Beetle
Lily Leaf Beetle
Viburnum Leaf Beetle
Pine Shoot Beetle
Hemlock Wooly Adelgid
Help Arborists Stop Hemlock Woolly Adelgid!
This article is brought to you by the National Arborist Association - more information and topics can be found at www.natlarb.com/content/consumers/pressreleases.htm
For more information on the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid please visit our Restrictions page
Asian Long-Horned Beetle
USFS Asian Long-horned Beetle Poster
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USDA Pest Alert Information
Lily Leaf Beetle
UNH Cooperative Extension's Fact Sheet on the Lily Leaf Beetle
UMass Extension Fact Sheet
Viburnum Leaf Beetle
Cornell News - Voracious viburnum leaf beetles have munched their way south from Lake Ontario to Ithaca, Cornell entomologists say - June 1999
Viburnum Leaf Beetle Citizen Science - The Pest - Description and Livecycles of the Viburnum leaf beetle
UMass Extension Fact Sheet - Viburnum Leaf Beetle
New Pest Attacks Popular NH Landscape Species
Pine Shoot Beetle
USDA REGULATES PINE SHOOT BEETLE HOST MATERIAL FROM CANADA - Click here for the press release. For more information: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html
General Landscape Practices
Installing Mulch Rings Improves Tree Health
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Nature's Air Conditioners
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Premature Fall Colors Could Be a Sign of Trouble
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Proper Tree Planting Provides Years of Growth
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Proper Tree Planting
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Road Salt Damages Trees
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Trees Suffer During Prolonged Drought
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Why Fertilize a Tree
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