State of New Jersey
Executive Order #113

Governor James J. Florio

WHEREAS, the adoption of new pollution prevention strategies can reduce the levels of toxic compounds present in the indoor and outdoor environment; and

WHEREAS, each State employee has a right to work in a clean and healthy environment, and each citizen of this State has a right to live in a clean environment; and

WHEREAS, approximately three million pounds of chemical pesticides are used in New Jersey each year by licensed applicators; and

WHEREAS, chemical pesticides have been found in many cases to have harmful effects on human health and the environment; and

WHEREAS, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) consists of the use of a combination of pest monitoring, good sanitation practices, appropriate solid waste management, building maintenance, alternative physical, mechanical and biological pest controls, and only as a last resort the use of the least hazardous chemical pesticide; and

WHEREAS, an IPM strategy will provide environmentally-sound, cost-effective methods for controlling pest problems with minimal reliance on chemical pesticides and will help reduce the overall use of chemical pesticides in the State; and

WHEREAS, State agencies have already begun to develop and apply IPM practices, including the use of biological controls for gypsy moths that can damage State parks and forests and the application of other IPM techniques for State mosquito control programs; and

WHEREAS, State agencies have already demonstrated their long-term support for IPM strategies by funding research on state-of-the-art biological pest controls; and

WHEREAS, the implementation of IPM strategies by State agencies can serve as a model for the adoption of similar programs by schools, local governments and private businesses across the State;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES J. FLORIO, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

l. The Department of Environmental Protection and Energy (DEPE) shall implement the following mandates:

A. Conduct a pilot pest control program using IPM techniques for DEPE buildings and grounds. Technical and economic information obtained from this pilot program, which shall be completed within one year of the effective date of this Order, shall be used to provide assistance to other State agencies and instrumentalities on the use of IPM techniques and develop model contract language for State procurement of pest control services utilizing IPM methods;

B. Appoint, within 30 days of the effective date of this Order, a task force to study the potential for increased use of IPM techniques by State agencies. This task force shall include, but need not be limited to, officials and employees from the DEPE, the Department of Treasury and other appropriate State agencies; entomologists or other scientists specializing in IPM techniques; representatives of private firms that provide commercial pest control services, including firms specializing in IPM or organic lawn control methods; and representatives of environmental or other non-profit organizations whose purposes include the study and promotion of IPM methods. No later than one year following the effective date of this Order, this task force shall gather and evaluate technical and economic data on the use of IPM methods by federal, State or local agencies and private businesses; provide recommendations to the DEPE on the design and implementation of a pilot pest control program; and assist the DEPE in the development of model contract language for State procurement of pest control services utilizing IPM methods;

C. Develop a strategy and timetable for the implementation of IPM pest control measures at facilities owned or operated by State agencies and instrumentalities. This implementation strategy shall include, to the maximum extent practicable, the adoption of model contract language for State procurement of pest control services utilizing IPM methods; and

D. Collect and assess information on the types, quantities and uses of chemical pesticides purchased and applied by State agencies and instrumentalities in both the indoor and outdoor environment, and the development and implementation of any State agency pest control systems using IPM techniques.

2. Each State agency and instrumentality shall cooperate with the DEPE by furnishing information on its use of chemical pesticides and its development and implementation of any pest control programs using IPM techniques.

3. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this
23rd day of December in the Year of Our
Lord, One Thousand Nine Hundred and
Ninety-Three, and of the Independence
of the United States, the Two Hundred
and Eighteenth.

/s/ Jim Florio
Governor

Attest:

/s/
Chief Counsel to the Governor