Commission adopts 2022 reduced-risk pesticide list for city properties; staff to phase out some herbicides

The San Francisco Commission on the Environment on Sept. 27 voted to adopt the department’s 2022 reduced-risk pesticide list for city properties, a document that governs which pesticides contractors and city staff may use on municipal land.

Dr. Shoba Iyer, Integrated Pest Management program manager, told commissioners the city has reduced Tier 1 pesticide use — the most hazardous category — by about 97% since 2010. She said the proposed list adds a Tier 2 fungicide, Reliant, restricted to high-value tree use for certain fungal pathogens, and removes two Tier 2 products including a rodent bait formulation found ineffective by IPM professionals. Staff also proposed amendments to the product-language for eight items and a planned phase-out of the Tier 1 herbicide Garlon 4 Ultra as teams transition to less hazardous alternatives.

“Integrated pest management is much more than a pesticide reduction program,” Iyer said, describing IPM as a harm-reduction approach that includes landscape management, training, alternatives analysis and the precautionary principle. She noted that some increases in Tier 3 (least hazardous) product use — for example at Harding Park golf course — can reflect substitution of safer, lower-hazard products that may be applied in greater amounts to achieve control.

Public comment included a caller who raised concerns about glyphosate and whether rebranded or reformulated products could obscure true hazard reductions. Commissioners asked staff to monitor application trends and to report back on questions tied to tournament-driven fungicide use at Harding Park and climate-driven pest pressures.

The motion to adopt the list was moved and seconded and passed by roll call. Staff said they will publish the updated list, notify city pest-management contractors and monitor implementation, including a report on significant usage trends.

What changed in the list

- Added: Reliant (Tier 2 fungicide) — limited use on specified high-value trees to protect against pathogens including sudden oak death.
- Removed: Canvastat (growth regulator for street trees) and cholecalciferol block baits (rodent control), among others.
- Amended language: Use limitations and product-type clarifications for eight products; phase-out plan for Garlon in favor of lower-hazard alternatives.

Next steps

IPM staff will publish the final 2022 reduced-risk pesticide list, notify contractors, and include monitoring of Tier 3 spikes (notably at Harding Park) in future reporting.