7A - Discussion Item, Transgenic Crop, Genetically Modified Organisms PolicyDO NOT REMOVE -
PRAB File Matenal
CITY OF BOULDER
., PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA ITEM
° MEETING DATE: June 24, 2002
(Agenda Item Preparation Date: June 6, 2002)
AGENDA TITLE: Discussion Item: Transgenic Crop (Genetically Modified
Organisms) Policy
REQUESTING DEPARTMENT:
Jan Geden, CPRP, Director of Parks and Recrearion
Ann Wichmann, Environmental Resources Manager
Jeanne Scholl, Environmental Resources Coordinator
FISCAL IMPACT: None
PURPOSE:
The purpose of tlus memo is to address the issue and concerns related to growmg generically
~- modified orgazusms (crops) on City Parks and Recreahon lands.
BACKGROUND:
Generically modified organisms aze defined as organisms (plant, animal, or bactena) that have
been genehcally altered by the msertion of a foreign (extnnsic) gene They are plants that have
not acquired their chazactenst~cs through normal plant reproduchve mechanisms These
organisms are typically referred to as "transgemd' . In August of 2000, City of Boulder Open
Space Depamnent adopted an mtenm pohcy proh~bihng the production of transgemc crops on
Open Space lands.
ANALYSIS:
Convenhonal plant breedmg techmques (cross-polhnatron, etc ) involve the controlled transfer of
genes that lead to the expression of the destred traits. Biological reproduchve processes hmit
which orgazusms can be successfully cross bred Tlus bamer has been overcome by genehc
engmeenng technology that allows plant breeders to "insert" genes from completely unrelated
organisms to create transgemc crops
Most transgemc crops have been developed to lower produchon cost or to enhance product
qual~ty Transgemc crops that are cunently available to fanners have genes that allow the crop to
be herbicide tolerant or pest resistant Havmg this genetic resistance reduces the amount of
„~., herbicide or peshcide applied to the crop, thus reducing the gowers cost of product~on There
~ aze also "percerved" envuonmental benefits because of the reduced need for peshc~de
AGENDA ITEM # VII-A ; PAGE 1
applicatron The Nature Conservancy currently mcorporates the use of transgemc crops as a
•h~ transitional plantrng (round-up ready soybeans) for use in restonng agncultural croplands to
narive prame m the Midwest
Although there are human and animal health concems, the most controversial issue relahve to
transgemc crops is their long-term environmental impacts The nsk wrth msect resistant crops is
that non-tazget msect species will be harmed and the target msect species will become resistant to
the toxm produced by the transgemc crop S~milarly, herbicide resistant crops may cross
pollmate with wild relatives and create herbicide resistant "weeds"
Whzle the department has not addressed the ~ssue darectly, the department's current posation u
that the rtsks ofgrowtng transgenrc crops on Parks and Recreahon land outweigh potenttal
benefits and that no transgen:c crops or p[ants w~ll be grown on Parks and Recreatton land
Staff wtll contanue to research the use of these crops as a tool for praar~e restoratton and keep
the Board informed as thzs practtce evolves an other areas of the country There are no
transgentc crops being grown on Parks and Recreat:on property at this ttme
To address these issues and concerns, Parks and Recreahon staff have taken the followmg steps
A letter (Attachment A) will be sent to each lessee of Department-owned land,
remforcmg that the producrion of transgemc crops on Parks and Recrearion land is not
permitted, and secunng lessees' concurrence with tlus provision,
2. As leases expire, and as new leases are created, staff will msert language exphcitly
~ precludmg transgemc crop production, and ensunng that only plants that have acqmred
their chazactensrics through conventional piant breedmg techmques may be grown, and
Department Resource Specialists will follow through by approvmg crops to be planted
PUBLIC COMMENT AND PROCESS:
This item is bemg heazd at this public meering, advertised m the Da~ly Camera
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the Board discuss ttus item at tts June meehng Tlus item will be brought back
to the Board as an Achon Item for Public Heanng tn July.
ATTACHMENTS:
A Draft letter to lessees
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AGENDA ITEM # VII-A ; PAGE 2
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U~~~ OF BO(j~O~'A
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Parks & Recreation
June 7, 2002
Parks and Recreahon Lessees
3198 North Broadway • Boulder, Colorado 80304-2644
TEL 303-413-7200 • FAX 303-413-7201
www.ci.boulder.co.us
As you may know, there are crop hybnds available that have genehc tolerance for the herbicide
Roundup and genehc resistance to a number of msect pests These aops have been genetically
engineered to express these traits For future reference these and similar products will be
referred to as transgemc crops
The issue of transgemc crops bemg grown on Pazks and Recreation land was raised at the
June 24, 2002, Pazks and Recreahon Advisory Board (PRAB) meehng The current posihon of
the Parks and Recreat~on Depariment is that the environmental nsks of growmg transgemc crops
on Parks and Recrearion land outweigh the potenhal benefits. We aze concerned about the
potenhal effects to non-target msect species and the possibihty of crearing herbicide tolerant
weeds Because of these concerns, we request that you not plant transgemc crops on the property
that you lease from Parks and Recrearion As your leases exptre and aze due for renegohations
the followmg language will be added to the lease document
Operator shall not grow transgenic crops on the Property. These crops have been
genetically engineered to express a desired agronomic trait. Only plants that have
acquired agronomic trait(s) through conventional plant breeding techniques may be
grown.
~
d...-
Fina11y, please contmue to mvolve the appropnate Resource Spectahst m the development of
your crop rotahon plans pnor to each planhng season
If you have quesrions or concerns regazdmg our posthon or the proposed lease language, please
contact the Resource Specialist that admmisters your lease Parks and Recreahon Resource
Speciahsts will also be meetmg with each of you mdrndually to discuss tlus issue
Thank you for your cooperahon m th~s matter
Smcerely,
Ann Wichmann
Environmental Resources Manager
City of Boulder Pazks and Recreahon
Parks and Recreation- The Benefits Are Endless! T""
Aco~oA ~ #U 11-~ , ~ac~ 3