Market Trends: Nov. 1998

Counting Every Drop

As water continues to become a more valuable commodity, particularly in rapidly growing areas with less rainfall, landscape irrigation comes under more stringent attacks. A study by the Irrigation Association, however, indicates how minor a role in water use landscape irrigation actually plays. Of the 25 percent of the United States’ fresh water supply that is withdrawn from streams, lakes and aquifers, just 2.9 percent of that amount goes to irrigating landscapes. Meanwhile, the agricultural industry uses nearly 80 percent of that 25 percent.

RISE-ing To The Occasion

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Allen James, executive director of Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment, is as close to the regulatory situations surrounding pesticide products as anyone. He offered his thoughts about the status of the movements that threaten contractors’ way of doing business.

We have always faced the reality of activists opposed to the development, registration, marketing and use of pesticides,” James pointed out. “What’s happening now, however, is that activists have found a new venue and a new instrument of attack on our industry. No longer are we confronted on a regular basis at the federal level. For the most part, activists have found that their objectives are more easily achieved at the local level, and to some degree, at the state level.”

In particular, contractors in Oregon, Washington and Texas may soon find themselves faced with new pesticide use reporting laws, and legislators in North Carolina are considering a pesticide phase-out ordinance modeled after the controversial law passed in San Francisco.

“It’s obvious the goal [of Oregon activists’ plan] is to produce a website showing where pesticides are applied, especially in proximity to schools, encouraging public activism against pesticide use,” noted Fred Langley, manager, state government relations for RISE.

James noted that although interest in national and international environmental organizations seems to be diminishing, the development of the Internet enables various individuals and groups to communicate easily regardless of their location.

“A factoid created in New York today becomes factual testimony in California at some local level tomorrow,” James said. “Ideas, plans, anecdotes and action schemes are simply transmitted from one location to another, and calls for action occur almost instantaneously now.”

At the same time, single issue activists are as formidable a force as ever.

“Now, the true activists will fight almost any battle, once a cause has been identified, but they will withdraw if the battle heats up, that is, if industry fights back with real facts,” James explained. “However, our problems at the local level today come from the ‘true believer.’ A true believer never gives up, never gives ground, regardless of fact or opposition effort. The only truth is their truth. They have one issue, and they will push that issue, and they will push that agenda forever.”

This is where it is crucial that members of the industry become active communicating the truth about products under attack, such as pesticides and gasoline-powered blowers.

“Unfortunately, when ‘true believers’ present themselves to the local municipality or to the local school board, they seem to have more knowledge about the topic than anyone else locally,” James noted.