Stuart city commissioners voted to ban city use of the chemical glyphosate Monday night. Glyphosate is commonly found in the weed killer Roundup. It has been considered possibly carcinogenic and other research links the chemical to algae growth.
Now Martin County commissioners have directed staff to come back to the board in 90 days with an integrated pest management plan to reduce the use of glyphosate with the ultimate goal of eliminating chemicals.
Tuesday commissioners were given a presentation on the county’s use of glyphosate and the possible impact on human health. Commissioners were also presented with alternatives to Roundup.
There have also been concerns over FWC and their herbicide spraying on Lake Okeechobee and its link to algae blooms.
FWC sprays 18 classes of herbicide to kill invasive plants, one of them being glyphosate.
FWC says the chemical being sprayed is different than Roundup and is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency.
