Charles River Watershed Association Urges Swift Action on Lethal Rodenticides (PRESS RELEASE)
MAY 9TH, 2023: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BOSTON–In March 2023, a beloved female bald eagle in the Mystic Lakes region was tragically and unnecessarily poisoned by lethal rodenticides. This is now the third eagle to die in Massachusetts in just two years—underscoring a critical need for state leadership to ban these poisons as a means of pest control.
Lethal rodenticides, which are widely used, threaten not only raptors, but dogs, cats, and children. Intended to kill rodents by preventing blood clotting, many of these poisons called second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, or SGARs, are banned for home use by the EPA.
SGARs are especially dangerous for wildlife. Slow acting, they often have unintended victims when eagles, hawks, and owls eat poisoned prey. This has devastating ecosystem impacts––natural predators are removed from the food chain and rat populations often ironically rebound.
An Act Relative to Pesticides (HB.825, SB.487), sponsored by Rep. James Hawkins and Sen. Paul Feeney, would require pesticide applicators to report when lethal rodenticides are used and encourage safer, more-effective integrated pest management approaches on publicly-owned properties––elementary schools, libraries, universities, and more.
Charles River Watershed Association will join with countless advocates to urge the Joint Committee of Environment and Natural Resources to report An Act Relative to Pesticides (HB.825, SB.487) favorably at the hearing on Wednesday, May 10th at 1PM at the Massachusetts State House.
“These deadly poisons have no place in our shared environment––we need leaders to take action to protect our wildlife, pets, and families,” says Policy Advocate Zeus Smith. “An Act Relative to Pesticides (HB.825, SB.487), would be an essential first step towards a total ban on the sale and use of lethal rodenticides—providing cities and towns with the tools and resources necessary to keep SGARs away from our most sensitive populations and create a safer environment for all, animals and humans alike.”
Charles River Watershed Association’s mission is to protect, restore and enhance the Charles River and its watershed through science, advocacy, and the law. CRWA develops science-based strategies to increase resilience, protect public health, and promote environmental equity as we confront a changing climate.
CONTACT:
Julia Hopkins
Communications & Outreach Manager
Charles River Watershed Association
(617) 540-5650 x1071
