October 18, 2000 News Release King County and Seattle Public Utilities release results of neighborhood pilot project Renton community bids farewell to pesticides, gas mowers and lawn watering Renton, WA -- For six months, 14 Renton Hill neighbors pulled weeds by hand instead of spraying them, used an electric mulch mower instead of a polluting gas mower, and watered their lawn sparingly instead of daily. This was all part of a pilot project launched by Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) and King County last April. The goal of the project was to see if an entire community would embrace natural lawn care as a lifestyle. So just how many neighbors will stick to this natural regimen now that the program is over? According to a King County/SPU survey of the residents, homeowner response indicates a trend towards salmon-friendly behaviors such as watering lawns once a week or not at all during the period of highest water-usage in the Puget Sound area. In addition all of those participating in the project said they would continue to avoid "weed and feed" products, preferring instead to spot spray weeds or (the majority) pull weeds by hand. However, not all the neighbors will continue all of the practices. Two of the participants opted to use a gas mower instead of an electric mulch mower. "This community proved that taking care of our environment begins in our own backyard," said Pam Bissonnette director of King County's Department of Natural Resources. "When given a choice, consumers want to do the right thing. Almost all of the neighbors were surprised that their lawn can have a role in keeping our ground water abundant and clean. When they realized what they can do to help our environment, almost everyone was willing to do their part." Comments from neighbors in the pilot project include, "I'm very happy with my electric mulching mower (despite my early skepticism)," "I enjoy how a lot of our neighbors have taken an interest in natural lawn care," "This was a very useful program -- for the lawn and for the neighborhood." Why Natural Lawn Care? One hour of running a gas mower is equivalent to driving a car 50 miles. Scientists testing our urban streams have found 23 pesticides used by homeowners. Five insecticides have been found in streams at levels that exceeded standards set to protect aquatic life. In a science journal review of 98 health studies related to the use of weed and bug killers, half the studies have found an increased cancer risk. Lawn and garden watering make up more than 30% of summer water use, when supplies are lowest and salmon need water the most. Grass clippings are overloading our compost facilities, when they could supply at least ¼ of your lawns fertilizer needs. For more information, please contact Molly Brumley at 360-598-3702. Related Topics Grasscycling Organics & Composting Householde Hazardous Waste Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County

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