Associated Press
ROCKVILLE, Md. (AP) - The Montgomery County Council has approved a measure banning the use of pesticides on county-owned and private lawns.
The council voted 6-3 for the bill Tuesday. The county is one of the few in the nation to have such restrictions.
The measure was changed to allow the county’s recreation department to keep using pesticides on playing fields as part of a pest-management program. The department will need to develop a plan to maintain fields without pesticides by 2020.
Provisions affecting county-owned property and county parks will take effect July 1, 2016. The measure will affect private property on Jan. 1, 2018.
The bill won’t restrict pesticide use to control noxious weeds or invasive species for human health or agricultural purposes or prevent significant economic damage. Restrictions don’t apply to gardens.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.