Tonya Albee

Dear members of the House Environment and Agriculture Committee. I am a Wolfeboro resident and avid gardener. I have spent the last decade creating gardens that are organic full of native plants, pollinator friendly, and pesticide free. I have witnessed the drastic decline of bees, butterflies, and other insects, despite my efforts. I am certain that the overuse of neonicotinoid pesticides is greatly contributing to this decline. In addition, neonicotinoids persist in soil and water and runoff from turf is severely affecting our aquatic insects and waterways. This bill properly directs the pesticide board to classify neonicotinoids as restricted use so only trained professionals apply them and restricts their use on turf and state property. Our surrounding states have all recognized the harm these pesticides are doing to the environment. It’s time for New Hampshire to do the same. I respectfully urge this committee to support HB 1431.