The following is from today's Washington Post
Chevy Chase Club abandons soon-to-be-banned fumigantBy Darryl Fears, Published: October 24, 2011
Under heavy pressure from neighboring towns and residents, the Chevy Chase Club reversed its decision to use ozone-depleting methyl bromide to fumigate and beautify the greens on its golf course.
The club notified its members in August that it planned to apply the gas next year before a looming Environmental Protection Agency directive bans its use.
Methyl bromide destroys ozone and can sicken humans and pets if ingested in large doses. Only surplus supplies of methyl bromide can be used after the EPA prohibited its production in 2005. Its use for home fumigation and other applications was banned. But golf courses won a groundskeeping exemption until 2013, and farms can continue to apply methyl bromide to crops such as strawberries after that date.
Representatives from Chevy Chase and nearby communities, including Somerset and Chevy Chase Village, met with the club’s president and board members Oct. 6 and asked them to not use the gas with two elementary schools in the vicinity.
Chevy Chase Village also stressed its concerns in a letter, saying that at least 45 homes touch the club’s property. Village managers urged the club “to find a less toxic remedy for improving its greens,” according to a report on its Web site.
“Some neighbors have opposed its use,” the club’s board said in a statement. “We value our long-standing good relations with our neighbors . . . and, therefore, we have decided not to go forward with the use of this product.
The statement said the club will find “alternate ways to maintain the golf course.”
© The Washington Post Company
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Topic: Popular Maryland Club Decides Not To Use Ozone-Depleting Fumigant on Greens (Read 175 times)