Bill Text: NJ AR94 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Expresses support for Great Healthy Yard Project.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-02-13 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee [AR94 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-AR94-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE
District 37 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Expresses support for Great Healthy Yard Project.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution expressing support for the Great Healthy Yard Project.
Whereas, Property owners frequently use chemicals such as pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, and others to protect and care for their lawns and gardens; and
Whereas, Chemicals can accumulate and contaminate drinking water by entering groundwater through rainwater runoff that drains into streams or by moving through the soil; and
Whereas, Exposure to the chemicals can have adverse effects on human health by causing birth defects, infertility, liver and kidney damage, cancer, or behavioral difficulties through airborne exposure, direct contact, or consumption of contaminated drinking water; and
Whereas, Nationally, 94 percent of water samples and nearly 60 percent of shallow well samples contained at least one pesticide; and
Whereas, The contamination of streams and other bodies of water leads to blooms of algae that release toxins that can harm humans and wildlife who come into contact with the water; and
Whereas, Harmful algae blooms have been observed in several lakes and reservoirs across New Jersey such as Rosedale Lake, Lake Hopatcong, Greenwood Lake, and Spruce Run; and
Whereas, The chemicals also pose a threat to wildlife by the pollution of waters in streams, lakes, and other surface water bodies; and
Whereas, Ninety percent of fish samples taken from streams across the country contained traces of at least one chemical; and
Whereas, The Great Healthy Yard project seeks to encourage individuals to limit the use of these chemicals due to the damage the chemicals can cause to humans and wildlife; and
Whereas, The Great Healthy Yard Project seeks to educate individuals on what chemicals they apply to their yards and the harmful effects those chemicals have on the environment; and
Whereas, By supporting the Great Healthy Yard Project, the General Assembly encourages the residents of New Jersey to reduce the use of these chemicals and to be aware of the harmful effects these chemicals have on the environment; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House expresses support for the Great Healthy Yard Project.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Governor and to the Great Healthy Yard Project.
STATEMENT
This resolution expresses support for the Great Healthy Yard Project.
Property owners frequently use chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers to protect and care for their lawns and gardens. However, these chemicals have harmful effects on both humans and wildlife.
Exposure to the chemicals can have adverse effects on human health and may enter drinking water supplies through rainwater runoff that drains into streams or by entering the groundwater through the soil. Drinking water that has been contaminated by these chemicals, airborne exposure and direct contact can lead to health problems such as cancer, birth defects, infertility, liver and kidney damage, or behavioral difficulties. Ninety-four percent of water samples and 60 percent shallow wells sampled across the country contained at least on pesticide. Additionally, these chemicals can cause toxic algae blooms in surface water that humans and wildlife use. New Jersey has already witnessed the growth of harmful algae in several lakes and reservoirs such as Rosedale Lake, Lake Hopatcong, Greenwood Lake, and Spruce Run.
In order to combat the dangers of these products, it is important that individuals limit and reduce the use of chemicals. The Great Healthy Yard Project educates individuals about the harmful effects of these chemicals and encourages them to reduce or limit their use. By expressing support for the Great Healthy Yard Project, the General Assembly encourages the residents of New Jersey to reduce the use of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and other toxic chemicals and be aware of the harmful effects these chemicals have on the environment.
