Toxic chemicals won’t be sprayed in city parks across Baltimore to kill weeds anymore starting on July 1.
In October 2020, Baltimore city council approved a new ordinance banning pesticides, insecticides and herbicides with chlorpyrifos, neonicotinoids and glyphosate on public and private properties.
The goal is to improve public health and reduce chemical runoff into the Chesapeake Bay.
The city’s finance department estimated it will spend $321,600 annually for workers to use weed whackers instead of spraying pesticides which costs $80,400 each year.
City officials estimated it would spend another $160,000 to enforce the new ordinance each year. Residents who continue to use restricted chemicals can face a $250 fine each day they spray it.
Environmental advocates pushed for the measure and lauded the new law.
