Town of BedfordGas Leaf Blowers: Next Phase

December 1, 2020

v Task Force convened 2017 in response to noise/health issuesv Ordinance passed effective May 2018. This has been a partial

measure & was considered a first step

§ Hamlet zones – most of Bedford is exempt

§ Only in effect during high summer

§ Agreed to revisit two years later

v Our goal today: Take the Next Step

Overview

v Excessive noisev Reduced air qualityv Land degradationv Poorer plant and tree

health, including lawnsv Destruction of habitats

Negative Effects are Settled Fact

https://www.healthyyards.org

The Noise from Leaf Blowers . . . v Carries far beyond

property boundaries

v Penetrates windows and buildings due to low-frequency of sound

v Reduces productivity and causes stress

Leaf Blowers & Air Qualityv 2-stroke gas leaf blowers are extremely

inefficient with high emissions. “Leaking hydrocarbons from the fresh fuel combined with the leaking oil make two stroke engines a nightmare for our environment and our air quality.” - Marshall Brain, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

v Even small increases in 2.5 particulate matter exposure linked to substantial health care and economic costs. BMJ

Leaf blowers stir up particulate matter causing air pollution, which is associated with health issues and increased mortality.

.

Leaf Blowers & Air Quality

https://www.healthyyards.org/lbairquality/

Westchester’s Air Quality Grade: F-- American Lung Association

Leaf Blowers & Climate Change

Hydrocarbons and other VOCs contribute to the formation of ozone by increasing the amount of nitric dioxide in the air, which then combines with oxygen molecules to produce nitrogen and ozone, both greenhouse gasses. (2 stroke leaf blower: 299 times the hydrocarbons of the pickup truck)

Nitrogen Oxide has 300 times more heating power than carbon dioxide. (2 stroke leaf blower: two

times the nitrogen oxide of the pickup truck)

Carbon Monoxide is toxic air pollutant, produced in the incomplete combustion; it reacts with

other air pollutants to form potentially harmful ground level ozone. Carbon monoxide has important indirect effects on global warming. Carbon monoxide reacts with hydroxyl (OH) radicals in the atmosphere, reducing their abundance. As OH radicals help to reduce the lifetimes of strong greenhouse gases, like methane, carbon monoxide indirectly increases the global warming potential of these gases. (2 stroke leaf blower: 23 times the carbon monoxide of the pickup truck)

Leaf Blowers & Environment

v Destroys habitat

v Causes wildlife movement

v Harms soil biology

v Destroys topsoil (soil compaction)

ADM Landscaping, Aesthetic Landscaping, AJT Landscaping, A & M Lawns Inc, Antonio Cambareri, A Plus Landscaping & Design, A To Z Landscaping, A Touch Of Grass Landscaping, A-Z Landscaping, A. Maiorano & Sons LLC, Abzun Landscaping, ACE landscaping Inc, Achille Abate Landscaping, ACN landscaping, Adam Landscaping LLC, Alfredo Landscaping Inc, Alfredo LCD, Almstead Tree & Shrub Care Co. LLC, Alno Gedney Farms Inc, Alpaca Landscapes, Always Green, Amazonic Landscapes Inc., Ambrosio landscape Solutions, Angel's Landscaping, Anthony Landscaping and Tree Service, Antonio Albanese Landscaping, Antonio Oliveri, Appletree Landscaping Aquino Garden Landscaping, Arborscape Inc., Arturo Landscaping , Aurora Property Pros, Austin Landscape Design, A & V Home improvement and Landscaping, Awesome Landscaping Corporation, Azteca Landscaping, B & B Landscaping, Baker Landscaping, Barpor Corp, Bartolini and Sons Landscaping, Bedford Hills Tree Service, Landscaping and Masonry, Bedford Landscape Service, Bedford Landscapers and Tree Care, KH Property Management, Bedford's Landscaping Service Bellantoni Landscape Benninger Landscaping Ltd Bernard Glinski, Inc. Bianca Romano Bob Fetzko Landscaping Bob's Landscaping of Greenwich CT Bravo Landscaping Brian Cole Greenleaf Services LLC Brickman Group Bright View landscaping Bruce Ross Lawn Care Buzzeo Landscaping Excavation Byron's Landscaping C&C Landscaping CA Landscaping and Masonry Inc. Calvin Landscaping Cambareri Carmelo Landscaping Camilla Landscape Design LLC Campobello Landscaping Inc. Candide Landscaping & Pond Capocci Landscaping LLC Cardona Landscaping and Tree Inc Carlos Landscaping Corp Carmello Bueti Carmelo Landscaping Carmine Landscaping Cassara Landscaping Castagnino Construction Inc Cavallo & Sons Landscaping corp. CB Mills Landscaping, Ceci Brothers, Inc. Cedar Hills landscaping Celeste Johnson & Eusevio Martinez Cemar Landscaping & Home Improvement Chad Landscapes Chamberlain Landscape Services Chiappetta Fierro, LLC Chris Baliko Growing Solutions, LLC Christensen Landscape Christopher Busak Cipriano Landscaping Clean Cut City Green Clean Cut Lawns & Landscapes ColindresLandscaping Columbine Landscaping Conte and Conte LLC Coperine Landscaping, Inc. Civitano Landscaping, C.N. Paradise Landscaping Country Lane landscaping Country Lawnscapes Country Landscaping Countryside Landscape & Design Creamer Landscaping and Lawn Care CTM Center Landscaping Curti's Landscaping, Inc Cut Short Landscaping LLC D.P.J. Property Management D'Amico Landscaping LLC Dacosta Landscaping Contractor Damato Landscaping Dan Semenza Datino Landscaping DCB Tree and Landscape Delfico DeLuca Lawn Maintenance Service, Inc. Dema Landscape Etc Dennis Adams DeSoto landscaping Dibella landscaping Digilio Landscaping LLC Distinctive Landscaping Dragonetti Brothers Landscaping Inc. Dream Gardens LLC Landscaping and Design, Dom’s Landscaping, D's Bedford Landscaping Corp Duran Landscaping Dylan Murray Shannon Lawn & Landscaping E Andersen Landscape Contractor E.G.General Services Earth Bound Landscape and Trees,Earth Mama, Earth, Water and Stone Landscape Solutions Eastern Land Management EcoBeneficial Ed Dema Ed Granierois Edgar landscaping Edvin Landscaping Edward A Naclerio landscaping Eight lakes lawn service LLC Elise Landscapes & Nursery LLC Elite Landscaping Elmir'sDeSouza Landscaping, lawn maintenance Emanuel Olaguivel Ecuadorian Landscaping ER Landscaping ESG Designs Eugene Felice Landscaping and Masonry Evarts Tree Services & Landscaping Evergreen Landscaping Services F&R Landscaping Corp Fairfield house and garden Company Fedele Landscaping, Femia landscaping, Fieldstone Landscaping Finch Gary landscaping Finishing Touch Landscaping Fitz Landscaping Five Brothers Frank Scaccia landscaping Frank's Landscaping Freddy's Landscape Company Freddy's Landscaping & Construction Full Control Landscaping & Masonry G & T Irrigation & Landscaping G D Landscaping Gabriele Landscaping Gallagher Gembecki Landscaping Genco Landscape Corporation Georgio's Landscaping GFX Landscaping Gherardi Landscaping Giron Maintenance and Landscaping Giuseppe Cutri landscaping Glen Gate Company Glinsky landscaping Golden Landscape Gomes Landscaping & Masonry Inc. Good Earth Landscaping Good Look Landscaping Goodwin LandsGranados Grass Genie Inc Great Land Landscaping Green Design Inc Green Desire landscaping Green Forest Landscape Service Green Gold Landscaping, inc. Green Hills lawn Care and landscaping Green Jay Landscaping Green Life Gardening Green Meadows Green Outdoors Green Point Inc. Greener by design Greenleaf Landscaping Inc Greenleaf Services LLC Greg Mikos Connecticut Landscapes LLC Griffin Organica Guard Hill Landscapes Inc Guayo Tree Service Guayos Landscaping H.J. Landscaping, Inc. Harmonic Garden Design Harry Hudd Architectural Landscapes Harry Hudd Architectural Landscapes Harter Landscaping Harter Landscaping of Briarcliff Harter Landscaping of North Castle Harter Landscaping of Valhalla Harter Landscaping of Yorktown heights Hawthorne Brothers Tree Service Inc Hemlock Landscaping and masonry Heritage landscape preservation Heritage Property Management Hickory Homes and Properties Hoffman Landscapes, Inc. Hudson Landscapes Hudson Valley Landscape Design Hudson Vally Landscaping Inc Emanuel Olaguivel Illescas Landscaping LLC Insight Ground Works IQ landscape Architects Ivan Cervantes J & C Landscaping Inc J Marino J & J Masonry and Landcaping J.A. Naranjo Landscaping, Snowplowing & Masonry J.C.H. Landscaping J&C Masonry and Landscaping Inc J&G Landscaping J&M Landscaping Jackie Cameron Jade Lawns Jaime Ramoz Landscaping Jeff Greco Landscaping Jenny Dobell Gardenscaping JeovannysSolutions & Design Management, LLC Jeovanys Tree Service JG Star JJ Brothers Landscaping LLC JN Land trust Services Joe Property Car, Jogo Landscaping, John A. Bauso Landscaping Inc John Barile Landscaping John Carlson Homefront Farmers John Jay Landscape Development John Mini Distinctive Landscapes John Zicca Landscaping Johnsen Landscape and Pool, JP Quality Landscaping, Jose Azun Landscaping Jose Martinez Josep Joseph Calautti Inc Joseph Greto Landscaping Joseph Fedele Joseph Larizza Landscaping Joseph Neri landscaping JPV Stone Tile Landscaping. We build Dreams JRC Lawn Maintenance JRM llc JS Cutting Edge Landscaping Juan J. Calderon Landscaping & Tree Service Juan Lopez Julio Canto Organic Nature Lawn Care KLand Services, JS Cutting Edge Landscaping, Kasa landscaping Katonah Landscaping Service Keith Bauer Kemry Hills Landscaping LLC Ken Hubener Ken Martin Landscaping INC, Kent Countryside King Garden Designs Kisco lawn and landscape Kitchen Remodeler · 391 Manville Rd Kosiba landscaping L A Landscapes L Franz Landscaping Inc L. Warren Lawn Maintenance & Landscaping L&L Lawn Care La Giardiniera LLC Labriola Nursery & Landscaping Land Productions Landivar Landscaping Landscape Concepts Landwork Contractors Landwork Contractors Larizza Landscaping Lawn Doctor Legacy Landscaping Services Legato Landscaping Lehigh Lawns & Landscaping Leo's Tree and Lawn Service Inc. Lester Pamela Let it Grow Landscapes LHP Service Lincoln Landscaping Inc Lorenzo Landscaping Lorixa Landscaping Louis Fusco Landscaping Louis Manuli Landscaping Luis Soto, Luis Urgiles Landscaping, Luppino landscaping and Masonry, Levi’s landscaping, Loga and Son Landscaping, Lyle and Sons Landscaping Macchia Landscaping Inc Magic Services new York Magnolia Westchester Landscaping Mannella Landscaping LLC Manor Landscape and Design Manuel A. Pinho Marc's Landscaping Marin Chavez Landscaping Marino Tree and Lawn Service Martino Landscaping Mario Pansarella and Sons Mark Langford Landmark Services Marroquin Landscaping Martinez Landscaping Martinez Brothers Landscaping Llc Martinez Brothers Lawn Care and More Martino Landscape Contractors Inc Mascon Development & Landscaping Master Lawns LLC Matt Forgione Landscaping M B L landscaping, M Carbillano landscaping,Medina Landscaping Service Mejia Brothers Merone Landscaping MG's Green Inc, Michael A Contracting and landscaping, M H Landscape Design LLC Michael Cucchiara Landscaping Michael Healy Colonial Tree Care/ Urban Plantsmen Michael Labriola Inc. Michael Sinisi & Son Landscaping, Inc., Michele Andreoli landscaping Mike Papa Artscape Organic-Care, LLC Millers Landscaping M J Landscaping and masonry Inc, MJ Lawn Maintenance, Moisis Salazar Landscaping Monroy Services Morano Landscape Garden Design LTD Mount Kisco Landscaping Mow Green M R L Landscaping M T R Landscaping MLA Mason and LandscapinMuccioli Property Maintenance Mullaney Landscaping Inc. Naranjo Landscaping Inc Naranso Landscaping Natural Greenscapes Inc. Nature's Premier Landscaping and Masonry Nature's Rain Organic Lawn Care, Nature and Co landscaping, NatureworksNavarra landscaping Neave Group Outdoor Solutions New Leaf Landscaping, New York Landscaping and Lightning, NOE Landscaping North America Landscaping North Castle Landscaping & Tree Service Inc North Greenwich Landscaping, Northeast Landscaping, North East landscape and Masonry, North Stamford Landscaping Oak Hill Landscaping LLC., Omega landscaping, Old Glory Landscaping & Property Maintenance, LLC Organic Landscapes Organic Nature Lawn Care Osborne Organics Chip Osborne Oscar Melchor Turning Green, LLC Outdoor Maintenance Service Inc. Palmerini Landscaping Inc. P Medola landscaping Palotta Landscaping Inc. Paolo's Landscaping Company Papalia landscaping Pappalis landscaping Paradise Landscaping, Pasquale Carrozza, Patino Tapia Property Maintenance, Peak Landscaping Pennturf Landscaping Inc Pepper Ridge Landscaping Perennial Gardens Perfetta Landscaping Peter H. Atkins & Associates, LLC Peter J Bria Landscaping Petriello Landscaping Pirello Landscaping Plantscapes, Inc.Pound Ridge LLC Home management and Landscaping Porricelli Landscaping Inc. PRO Cut Landscaping & Masonry Promised landscape, Professional Lawn care, R & S Landscaping R P Landscaping R Pugni and Sons Inc Raul Martinez Landscaping LLC Rayal Landscaping Rays of Sunshine Landscaping LLC. Reed's Landscaping LLC Reino Landscaping Ricardo Acevendo Rich Green Ridgeview Landscaping RIP Landscaping, Riza landscaping, Robert Sherwood Roberto Fernandez Landscaping Robidoux Landscaping Inc., Robles Lawn & Tree Rocco Machia Rocco's Landscaping, Inc. Rock Shelter Landscape Design Rolling Lawns Roma Landscape Enterprises Inc, Roberto V. Silva landscaping, Romero brothers Landscaping Inc. Roots Landscaping Danbury Rosamilia Landscaping and Tree Work Roy Scarvey Landscaping, Ryan and Ryan landscaping, S & M cons. Landscaping Sabrina Design Sacasartis Landscaping Sal Gentile Landscaping Salazar and Sons Inc Salem Tree and Landscape Samano Brother's Landscaping Sandoval Landscaping Masonry Santiago Landscaping SAS Landscaping Llc SaveALawn SaveATree Scarsella Landscape Scarsella Landscape Design & Development Scenic Designs Scenic Landscaping Scott's Landscaping & Nursery Sean’s Tree And Landscape Construction Corp, Sergio’s, Sergio landscaping, Seven Lakes Landscaping Seventy Acres Landscape SHD Landscaping Company Inc. Sherwood & Truitt LLC Siconolfi Landscaping Silver Lake Landscaping Contractors So Mulch More Sod Father Landscaping SOL scape SRL Landscaping, Svensson Design, Stamford Landscaping Co Steve Botto Inc. Landscaping Steve's Lawn Service Steven Dubner Landscaping Inc Steven R Krog Strom Hort., LLC. Stuetz Wayne Suncoast Landscaping and Home Improvement Inc Supreme Green Landscaping LLC Sweeney Michael J Landscaping Synatek Solutions Tapias Landscaping TC Landscaping Terra Green The Arborist The Care of Trees, Christopher Busak The English Gardener

More than 1,000 landscaping companies are active in and around Bedford

This means that several thousand landscaping off-road and truck engines are operating on any given work day from begin May to end November.

GLB Emissions in Bedford

Compared to an average size car, one hour of operation of a leaf blower emits498 times as much hydrocarbons,49 times as much particulate matter 26 times as much carbon monoxide (California Air Resources Board 2013)

Bedford number of parcels 6,296Assume 1/2 hour use per week of one 2-stroke engine GLB X 4000 parcels = 2,000 gas leaf blower hours

Bedford GLB use PER WEEK = 1,760,000 miles of driving of average sized cars General Emissions (nitrogen/water/carbon dioxide) = 58,667 car hours Hydrocarbons = 996,000 car hoursParticulate matter = 98,000 car hoursCarbon monoxide = 52,000 car hours

GLB Emissions in Bedford

The vast majority of landscapers continue to use earth UNfriendly practices

Leaf removal & leaf blower use ● Robs nutrients from yards ● Damages the environment ● Costs taxpayers money

Companies are expanding their business and using blowers year-

round

Mulch mowing should be actively promotedMulch mowing is a scientifically proven beneficial method of managing fall leaves.- Cornell Waste Management Institute

● Higher pest tolerance● Better color● More living ground cover● Increased drought

tolerance● Fewer ticks

v Majority of correspondence supports ordinance and favors further measures

v Hamlet zones can be confusing and raise concerns about fairness

v Few residents (<5) complain and cite need to use GLBs

v Resistance by landscapers

Effects of and Response to Ordinance

v Relies upon complaints by residents

v Enforcement personnel are timely and responsive

v Lack of teeth to ordinance often results in “whack-a-mole”

Enforcement

Pass an Ordinance Banning Gas Powered Leaf Blowers

by 2022

The Time to Act Is NOW

1. Ban GLBs by 2022, encouraging reduced use of blowers in general and conversion to electric blowers during fall and spring leaf removal only

2. Meantime, apply the existing ordinance town wide3. Register landscapers to enable better communication &

education

Considers:§ Cost-efficiency concerns cited (but not demonstrated) by landscaping companies § Desired esthetic of the immaculate yard by many residents§ Cost of conversion – owners can replace gas with electric over next 2 years as part

of their routine tool replacement

Recommendations by Task Force

v According to plan to revisit evidence and impact two years post-ordinance

v Evidence continues to come in about the negative effectsv Insufficient behavior change, specifically among

landscaping companiesv More people working and studying from home are

conscious of the noise and health impacts.

Why Now?

Around WestchesterSummer BansBronxvilleRyeTuckahoeYonkersArdsleyMamaroneckHastingsSleepy HollowNew RochelleTarrytownScarsdaleGreenburghOssiningNew Castle

Summer & Mid Winter PelhamDobbs FerryWhite Plains

Decibel LimitsBuchananCrotonBriarcliff

Total BansLarchmontIrvington

Ordinances established or strengthened since Bedford’s passed

Around WestchesterSummer BansBronxville

Rye

Tuckahoe

Yonkers

Ardsley

Mamaroneck

Hastings

Sleepy Hollow

New Rochelle

Tarrytown

Scarsdale

Greenburgh

Ossining

New Castle

Summer & Mid Winter Pelham

Dobbs Ferry

White Plains

Decibel LimitsBuchanan

Croton

Briarcliff

Total BansLarchmont

Irvington

Ordinances established or

strengthened since Bedford’s

passed

Complete gas leaf

blower ban by Jan 2022.

Thereafter, electric

blowers will only be

permitted for the month

of April and October 15

– December 15.

Around WestchesterSummer BansBronxvilleRyeTuckahoeYonkersArdsleyMamaroneckHastingsSleepy HollowNew RochelleTarrytownScarsdaleGreenburghOssiningNew Castle

Summer & Mid Winter PelhamDobbs FerryWhite Plains

Decibel LimitsBuchananCrotonBriarcliff

Total BansLarchmontIrvington

Ordinances established or strengthened since Bedford’s passed

Complete gas leaf blower ban by Dec 16, 2023.

v Supports the Town of Bedford’s Climate Action Plan (CAP), adopted June 2020

v CAP, and Supervisor’s letter cite the need to be aggressive to address climate change, an urgent risk to our way of life

v Evidence continues to come in about the negative effects

v Insufficient behavior change, specifically among landscaping companies

Why Wait?

“Phase out gas-powered leaf maintenance equipment and replace with electric.” -- CAP