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PRAB File Matenal
~ CITY OF BOULDER
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA ITEM
MEEITNG DATE: September 30, 2002
(Agenda Item Preparation Date: September 20, 2002)
AGENDA TITLE: Public Hearing and Consideration of a motion to Adopt a
Transgenic Cmp (Genetically Modi6ed Organisms) PoHcy
REQUESTING DEPARTMENT:
Jan Geden, CPRP, Director of Parks and Recreation
Ann Wichmann, Envimnmental Resources Manager
Jeanne Scholl, Environmenta: Resources Coordinator
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FISCAL IMPACT: None
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this memo is to address the ~ssue and concerns related to growmg genetically
modified orgazusms (crops) on City Pazks and Recreadon lands.
Genetically modified organisms aze defined as organisms (plant, animal, or bactena) that have
been genetically altered by the insertion of a foreign (extrinsic) gene. They aze plants that have
not acquired their charactenstics through normal plant reproductive mechazusms. These
orgazvsms aze typically referred to as "transgemc". In August of 2000, Crty of Boulder Open
Space Department adopted an mterim policy prolubiting the production of transgeni~ crops on
Open Space lands.
ANALYSIS: ~
Convendonal plant breeding techmques (cross-polluiahon, etc.) involve the controlled transfer of
genes that lead to the expression of the desired traits. Biological reproductive processes limrt
which organisms can be successfully cross bred. This bazrier has been overcoa~e by genetic
engineermg Cechnology that allows plant breeders to "insert" genes &om completely unrelated
orgazusms to create transgenic crops.
~^ Most transgenic crops have been developed to lower production cost or to enhance product
~.. qualrty. Transgenic crops that aze cunently available to farmers have genes that allow the crop to
be herbicide tolerant or pest resistant. Having this genetic resutance reduces the amount of
AGENDA ITEM # VI-A ; PAGE 1
herbicide or pesticide apphed to the crop, thus reducmg the growers cost of production There .~.~,
aze also "perceeved" environmental benefits because of the reduced need for pesticide applicanon ~,.
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) currently incorporates the use of transgemc crops as a
transrtional plantmg for use m restonng 17,000 acres of agncultural croplands to natrve praine at
the Glacial Ridge Project in Crookstan, Mmnesota. Round-up Ready Soybeans are planted m the
spring, the area is sprayed for weeds with round-up, the beans aze harvested in the summer
leavuig plant stubble as a soil stabil~zer, and a wmter broadcast apphcation of native seed ~s
conducted. T6e project managers aze estunatmg approximately 90-95% control. In Detro~t
Lakes, Mumesota, The United States Fish and Wildlife Service has transrtioned approximately
20,000 acres of public land and 1Q000 acres of private land over the last eight yeazs utilizing the
same methodology wrth approxunately the same level of control Both agencies prefer ttus
methodology over any other for restoration of native prazrie ecosystems. They feel the benefits of
a short term exposure (smgle growmg season) of a genetically modified crop and the smgle
application of round-up herbicide far outweigh the negatrves of lvstoncal methods of weed
control and efforts to restore native prairie ecosystems
Akhough there aze human and anunal health concems, the most controversial issue relahve to
transgenic crops is theu long-term environmental impacts. The nsk wrth msect resistant crops ~s
that non-tazget msect species will be harmed and the tazget insect species will become res~stant to
the to~n produced by the transgemc crop. Sunilazly, herbicide resistant crops may cross polluiate
wrth wild relatives and create herbicide resutant `wveeds".
While the department has not addressed the ~ssue duectly, the departmenYs current position ~s ^R
that the nsks of growing transgemc crops on Pazks and Recreanon land may outweigh potent~al ~--`
benefits and that no transgenic crops or ~lants have been grown on Parks and Recreation land.
Staff will continue to reseazch the use of these crops as a tool for praine restoration and keep the
Board u~formed as dus practice evolves in other azeas of the country
PUBLIC COMMENT AND PROCESS:
This item ~s being heazd at tkvs public meehng, advert~sed m the Daily Camera.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the Boazd adopt an mterim policy protubitmg the production of transgenic
crops on Pazks and Recreation lands with an exception that pemuts the use of these crops as a
transition step m restormg natrve prauze.
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AGENDA ITEM # VI-A ; PAGE 2