Announcements

LARMAC recognizes that many residents continue to have questions and concerns regarding our Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program and the products used to maintain the Association's landscape. We appreciate the thoughtful feedback shared through Board meetings, emails, conversations, and other community engagement over the past several months.

As previously communicated, the Board established an Ad Hoc Landscape Pest Management Advisory Committee, comprised of homeowners, to evaluate LARMAC's current IPM program and develop recommendations for the Board's consideration. To support that work, the Board also implemented a temporary 60-day pause on the routine use of certain landscape maintenance products used for weed management and plant growth regulation.

As the Advisory Committee's work continues, the Board has taken additional action to provide the group with more time to complete its evaluation and develop recommendations for a long-term IPM policy.

Temporary Pause Extended to 120 Days

The Board has extended the temporary landscape product pause from 60 days to 120 days. This pause extends through November 14.

The pause will continue to include Lifeline, used for weed management, and Attrimec, used for plant growth regulation. The Board has also directed that Specticle G, a granular pre-emergent used for weed management, be included in the pause.

As with the original pause, this action applies to routine landscape maintenance applications and does not affect activities necessary to address public health and safety concerns, such as rodent control or responses to invasive pests.

During this period, landscape maintenance will continue utilizing cultural practices, mechanical controls, hand removal, organic products where appropriate, and other available maintenance methods. Residents may continue to see increased weed growth in some areas as alternative maintenance methods are utilized.

The Board believes extending the pause provides the Advisory Committee with additional time to thoughtfully evaluate alternatives, operational impacts, costs, and other considerations before making recommendations regarding LARMAC's future IPM policy.

Advisory Committee Continues Development of an IPM Policy

The Advisory Committee continues to evaluate opportunities to enhance LARMAC's approach to landscape pest management, including development of an Organic Land Management Plan.

The Committee's work includes evaluating available alternatives, reviewing notification and transparency practices and considering costs and operational impacts.

Ultimately, the Committee will develop recommendations for the Board's consideration before any long-term decisions regarding LARMAC's IPM program are made.

Exploring State Grant Funding for Alternative Weed Management

The Advisory Committee is also working with LARMAC staff on a grant application to the California Department of Pesticide Regulation's (DPR) Sustainable Pest Management Grants Program.

DPR's program provides funding for projects that advance sustainable pest management and IPM through research, development, implementation, tools, and outreach in agricultural, urban, and wildland settings. For the current grant cycle, DPR has made up to $4.9 million available statewide, with individual projects eligible for between $100,000 and $1 million and project periods of up to three years. Importantly, alternatives for weed management are specifically identified as one of DPR's priority areas for funding this year.

LARMAC is developing a proposal focused on evaluating alternative approaches to weed management, particularly in landscape areas where effective weed suppression can be challenging without the use of traditional pre- and post-emergent products.

If awarded, grant funding could help LARMAC engage outside experts, evaluate alternative methods, conduct field testing, and better understand the effectiveness, costs, and long-term feasibility of different weed-management strategies.

The grant application is still under development, and funding is competitive and not guaranteed.

Our Commitment Going Forward

The Board recognizes that residents hold a variety of perspectives regarding landscape pest management. While opinions may differ on the best path forward, we remain committed to approaching this process with openness, respect, and a willingness to carefully evaluate reasonable alternatives.

Extending the temporary pause, continuing the Advisory Committee's development of an IPM policy, and pursuing outside funding to study alternative weed-management practices reflect the Board's commitment to making informed, thoughtful decisions for the long-term benefit of the community.

The Association will continue providing updates as the Advisory Committee's work progresses and additional information becomes available.