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FARMLAND PESTICIDE POLICY
OF THE LINCOLN CONSERVATION COMMISSION

This Pesticide Use Policy was adopted by the Lincoln Conservation Commission in open session at its regular meeting held on January 15, 1992.

1. General Statement of Policy

The intent of this Policy is to preserve Town owned fields for commercial and non-profit agricultural use. The Commission is strongly interested in limiting the use of pesticides and encourages the implementation of an Integrated Pest Management program for all fields. The Commission welcomes recommendations based on farmers' experience with pesticides and alternative means of farming for future policy decisions.

11. Rules-Governing the Use Qf Pesticides, on Town-Owned Farmland

1. The use of any pesticide shall be in conformance with all provisions under Massachusetts General Law 132B, the Massachusetts Pesticide Control Act, and all regulations promulgated thereunder in the Code of Massachusetts Regulations, and all label directions.

2. Prior to the use of any pesticide, a farmer must confirm with the Conservation Commission or its agent, that the proposed pesticide is on the list of those already reviewed and permitted by the Commission.

The Conservation Commission may phase out, condition, or prohibit the use of any pesticide should evidence be found of significant environmental harm or risk caused as a direct result of product use. Products currently prohibited are Alachlor, Lasso, Sutazine, Telone 11 and Guthion, and any pesticide marketed under an alternate name which components include any of the above mentioned products.

4. The farmer will cooperate with the Commisison to assure that appropriate signage is maintained during and after the use of pesticides such as the following.

"WARNING - Periodic Pesticide Use. Pass at your own risk. Please stay on roadways and trails. The Lincoln Conservation Commission."

The Commission shall be responsible for establishing master signs which will be posted at all intersections of public recreational use and farming operations.

5. If a farmer wishes to use a new product, or one not yet reviewed by the Conservation Commission, the manufacturers' name, product label and applications directions must be forwarded to the Commission or its agent with the Land Use Plans by December 1 of the year preceding the proposed use.

6. The Conservation Commission review procedure is as follows. Bills, records and forms shall be sent to the farmer by November 1 and are due back in the office by December 1. After Commission review with particular attention to alternate methods and effectiveness of pesticides as reported on the Land Use Record forms, recommendations or other requirements for change such as crop rotation must be made to the farmer by January I immediately thereafter for implementation the following growing season.

7. Buffer strips and other means for protection of the general public and neighboring properties shall be considered on a case by case basis. Areas of immediate concern of pesticide effects include, but are not limited to, organic gardens and lawns, farm roads and trails, and streams and open water bodies.

III. General. This Policy may be amended from time to time by the Conservation Commission acting in open session.

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