Council temporarily transfers Land Care committee duties amid controversy over pesticide‑ordinance amendments

Portland, Maine — The Portland City Council on Tuesday voted to adopt a temporary amendment (Order 1152526) that transfers some responsibilities for the Land Care Management Advisory Committee (LMAC) while the Sustainability & Transportation Committee conducts a fuller review of proposed ordinance changes.

The question drew lengthy public comment from environmental advocates and residents who argued the amendments would weaken Portland’s 2018 pesticide/land-care ordinance. Avery Yale Camilla, who has served on ELMAC since its formation, told the council the proposed changes “lack a legal sunset clause” and would move waiver hearings away from land- and health-care experts to a political body, risking increased herbicide use.

Council members responded by saying the intent is administrative and temporary: Councilor McNevich pointed to language in the order noting the amendment is temporary and “shall remain in effect until the date that is 12 months after the effective date of this order,” which she described as the sunset clause. Councilor Grant said the transfer is intended to address difficulties populating the LMAC and to allow the committee to function while eligibility criteria are reviewed.

Councilor Sykes, who has proposed separate ordinance amendments, acknowledged public frustration and emphasized the need to rebuild trust and review the ordinance comprehensively through the committee process. The council voted by roll call to adopt the temporary transfer and directed the Sustainability & Transportation Committee to consider permanent changes and report back.

What happens next: The Sustainability & Transportation Committee will review the ordinance language and Councilor Sykes’ amendments and return recommendations to the full council; staff and committee members will work to fill LMAC vacancies. Public commenters asked the council to reject any permanent weakening of pesticide protections.

Select quotes: “I urge the council to reject the weakening amendments,” public commenter Avery Yale Camilla said. Councilor McNevich clarified the temporary nature of the change: “It does say note that this amendment is temporary and shall remain in effect until the date that is 12 months after the effective date of this order.”

The council approved the temporary order and placed the substantive ordinance changes on the committee workplan for review and possible future action.