3 18-0537 Subject: Combustion Engine-Powered Leaf Blowers And String Trimmers Ban
From: President Pro Tempore Kalb
Recommendation: Adopt An Ordinance Adding Oakland Municipal Code Chapter 8.64 To Prohibit The Operation Of Combustion Engine Powered Leaf Blowers And String Trimmers Within The Territorial Limits Of The City Of Oakland; And Adopting Appropriate CEQA Exemption Findings
As a forty-year resident of Oakland, I thank you for taking up this effort. Combustion engine-powered leaf blowers and string trimmers are a menace to the health of the workers who use them (commonly without eye, lung, or ear protection) and to Oakland's residents, wildlife, and domestic animals.
Using a blower instead of a rake does not take longer, as some will claim. (I've done both.)
Consider whether or not combustion-engine string trimmers might be the only tool that can safely and effectively clear some residential properties of fire fuel loads, as required annually in the hills for the safety of all residents. If they are, consider making an exception for their use on a single-project permit basis (or other method of restricting them to that sole purpose) in cases where electric trimmers are inadequate to the task.
I am a 30-year resident of Oakland, and I wholeheartedly SUPPORT Dan Kalb's recommendation to adopt an ordinance prohibiting combustion engine-powered leaf blowers. Cities around the country are enacting bans against gas-powered leaf blowers for many reasons, including:
> noise pollution: a gas-powered leaf blower can exceed a 100 decibels for the operator. OSHA requires hearing protections at 85.
> gasoline emissions: running a gas-powered leaf blower for 30 minutes creates more emissions than driving a F-150 pickup truck 3800 miles.
> public health hazard: in addition to the gasoline fumes, leaf blowers kick up other hazardous particles, which can be inhaled by passersby as well as by the workers using them.
I urge the Public Works Committee to adopt this ordinance for the health of our citizens and our workers.
I've lived in Oakland for 8 years in several different parts of the city. In that time, I estimate approximately 30% of my mornings I have woken up to the sound of a leaf blower. My current HOA employs the use of leaf blowers and the exhaust fumes waft into my bedroom at 7am. Exhaust fumes that can be carcinogenic, cause smog, and are emitted at rates orders of magnitudes above that of operating a vehicle: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/how-bad-for-the-environment-are-gas-powered-leaf-blowers/2013/09/16/8eed7b9a-18bb-11e3-a628-7e6dde8f889d_story.html. All of this to remove 30 or so leaves from our walkway. What happened to brooms? Rakes? Never mind the fact that the vast majority of the time, this is a wholly unnecessary activity. If we're serious about climate change, we should be serious about spewing gasoline fumes into the atmosphere for literally no reason. Next we can talk about the effects of noise pollution on people and wildlife: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/noise-pollution/. If we can shut down the Rose Garden for the benefit of a single turkey, I think we can shut down leaf blowers for the benefit of every single living being within the city limits.
As an Oakland resident for the last 22 years, I am strongly in favor of this ordinance. (Thank you, Dan Kalb!) There was a time when yards were managed without these loud, harmful, obnoxious gas-powered machinery. There is enough noise and pollution in our city, but banning these combustion-engine-powered blowers and trimmers would make a huge positive difference for everyone who lives in or visits our city.
Oakland has a significant problem with particulate matter pollution, which causes problems for those of us with allergies, asthma, and other breathing-related issues. Banning these devices is an easy way to reduce some of that pollution. Further, workers using these machines are particularly exposed to the pollution and noise they generate, and few of them have control over the devices they are given to do their job.
Since there are good alternatives to these machines, banning them will not prevent people and companies from yard maintenance. Here in Temescal, a broom and a rake would do most yards as quickly as these machines do, and electric and battery-powered devices can handle larger properties.
Creating a healthier environment in our city will require many decisions on matters that seem small like this. Some of those will not have as many good alternatives, though they may be equally necessary. This one is easy. Please pass it now.
As a resident of District 3 and a person who suffers from asthma, I strongly support the ban on Combustion Engine-Powered Leaf Blowers in Oakland. As we work to protect our city from further environmental damage and climate change, it's imperative that we ban these machines that emit nearly 299 times the hydrocarbons of the pickup truck and 93 times the hydrocarbons of the sedan not to mention as much carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides as well. In addition to the damage to our air quality, they are damaging to small wildlife. Please ban combustion-powered leaf blowers and protect our city and our natural environment!
As a 30 year resident I am strongly in support of this legislation. The sole concern is enforcement. 1) I suggest that the language be modified to "target" not only the users of this equipment but the property owners who employ same. 2) I suggest some thought be put into what municipal body will be responsible for those who ignore. This is a widely known problem in cities that have adopted this type of ban.
As an Oakland resident who cares a great deal about noise pollution, air pollution, and public safety, I support this ban of combustible engine leaf blowers. There are plenty of alternatives that are quieter, safer, and less polluting. Thank you in advance for passing this ordinance.
Please pass this ban, as combustion engine-powered leaf blowers not only hurt our air quality, but are extermely harmful to vulnerable wildlife populations. Baby animals, especially, are greatly endangered by these environmentally destructive machines which reach 100 decibels and disrupt nesting and feeding of young wildlife.
Additionally, if Oakland is truly looking to support all of our most vulnerable populations, the workers operating these machines are the most susceptible to the emissions and fine-particulate blowers kick-up. The low-income workers that are operating this machinery are put at great risk.
Leaf blowers are detrimental to all residents in Oakland. Please do not let landscape companies impact our public health!
Thank you for introducing this important legislation and I strongly urge the public works committee to support it. The banning of combustion engine-powered blowers and trimmers in Oakland will improve the lives of people and animals in the City.
Councilman Dan Kalb, once again you lead the way when it comes to doing the right thing for our environment and Oakland residents -- human and non-human. Thank you for introducing this ordinance to prohibit combustion engine-powered leaf blowers and string trimmers in Oakland. I support it very strongly and look forward to a time when we manage our yards in a way that doesn't harm the garden workers, the environment, and the residents who live and walk near these noxious machines. They are unnecessary at best and harmful and worst. I strongly urge the public works committee to support this ordnance.
People in the hills cannot clear their properties for fire danger without the use of gas powered string trimmers. Battery operated don't work for large dense properties, I've tried them. Goats destroy more than they help, spread undesirable seeds, and they don't eat highly flammable scotch broom. Kalb (and others) are pushing this sustainable agenda which will lead to MORE fires. Perhaps that's the point, burn up the hills to get us out of our single family homes and into all those empty stack and pack condos Libby built downtown. Then the city can re-claim our property for the UN's Wildlands project. All for the greater good, right? Look it up folks, cities and counties all over (incl. Oakland and Alameda County) all signed up for this with ICLEI. All this sustainability stuff is pure evil and an attack on the people's rights to own private property (among other things).
Thank you Councilmember Kalb for introducing this ordinance to prohibit combustion engine-powered leaf blowers and string trimmers in Oakland. The negative environmental impacts of these devices, locally and globally, are well documented. Combustion engine-powered blowers and trimmers are a nuisance to all residents of Oakland, including animals, and should be prohibited. I urge the public works committee to support this ordnance.
a ban on gasoline powered blowers is LONG overdue - they are a blight on our existence
As a forty-year resident of Oakland, I thank you for taking up this effort. Combustion engine-powered leaf blowers and string trimmers are a menace to the health of the workers who use them (commonly without eye, lung, or ear protection) and to Oakland's residents, wildlife, and domestic animals.
Using a blower instead of a rake does not take longer, as some will claim. (I've done both.)
Consider whether or not combustion-engine string trimmers might be the only tool that can safely and effectively clear some residential properties of fire fuel loads, as required annually in the hills for the safety of all residents. If they are, consider making an exception for their use on a single-project permit basis (or other method of restricting them to that sole purpose) in cases where electric trimmers are inadequate to the task.
I am a 30-year resident of Oakland, and I wholeheartedly SUPPORT Dan Kalb's recommendation to adopt an ordinance prohibiting combustion engine-powered leaf blowers. Cities around the country are enacting bans against gas-powered leaf blowers for many reasons, including:
> noise pollution: a gas-powered leaf blower can exceed a 100 decibels for the operator. OSHA requires hearing protections at 85.
> gasoline emissions: running a gas-powered leaf blower for 30 minutes creates more emissions than driving a F-150 pickup truck 3800 miles.
> public health hazard: in addition to the gasoline fumes, leaf blowers kick up other hazardous particles, which can be inhaled by passersby as well as by the workers using them.
I urge the Public Works Committee to adopt this ordinance for the health of our citizens and our workers.
I've lived in Oakland for 8 years in several different parts of the city. In that time, I estimate approximately 30% of my mornings I have woken up to the sound of a leaf blower. My current HOA employs the use of leaf blowers and the exhaust fumes waft into my bedroom at 7am. Exhaust fumes that can be carcinogenic, cause smog, and are emitted at rates orders of magnitudes above that of operating a vehicle: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/how-bad-for-the-environment-are-gas-powered-leaf-blowers/2013/09/16/8eed7b9a-18bb-11e3-a628-7e6dde8f889d_story.html. All of this to remove 30 or so leaves from our walkway. What happened to brooms? Rakes? Never mind the fact that the vast majority of the time, this is a wholly unnecessary activity. If we're serious about climate change, we should be serious about spewing gasoline fumes into the atmosphere for literally no reason. Next we can talk about the effects of noise pollution on people and wildlife: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/noise-pollution/. If we can shut down the Rose Garden for the benefit of a single turkey, I think we can shut down leaf blowers for the benefit of every single living being within the city limits.
I've never been a fan of these machines with their noise and air pollution. I'm in full support of this legislation.
Thank you for banning these noisy dust-blowers, and for making Oakland a better place!
- Temescal resident for 20 years
Please protect our air quality and vulnerable wildlife populations
As an Oakland resident for the last 22 years, I am strongly in favor of this ordinance. (Thank you, Dan Kalb!) There was a time when yards were managed without these loud, harmful, obnoxious gas-powered machinery. There is enough noise and pollution in our city, but banning these combustion-engine-powered blowers and trimmers would make a huge positive difference for everyone who lives in or visits our city.
Oakland has a significant problem with particulate matter pollution, which causes problems for those of us with allergies, asthma, and other breathing-related issues. Banning these devices is an easy way to reduce some of that pollution. Further, workers using these machines are particularly exposed to the pollution and noise they generate, and few of them have control over the devices they are given to do their job.
Since there are good alternatives to these machines, banning them will not prevent people and companies from yard maintenance. Here in Temescal, a broom and a rake would do most yards as quickly as these machines do, and electric and battery-powered devices can handle larger properties.
Creating a healthier environment in our city will require many decisions on matters that seem small like this. Some of those will not have as many good alternatives, though they may be equally necessary. This one is easy. Please pass it now.
As a resident of District 3 and a person who suffers from asthma, I strongly support the ban on Combustion Engine-Powered Leaf Blowers in Oakland. As we work to protect our city from further environmental damage and climate change, it's imperative that we ban these machines that emit nearly 299 times the hydrocarbons of the pickup truck and 93 times the hydrocarbons of the sedan not to mention as much carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides as well. In addition to the damage to our air quality, they are damaging to small wildlife. Please ban combustion-powered leaf blowers and protect our city and our natural environment!
As a 30 year resident I am strongly in support of this legislation. The sole concern is enforcement. 1) I suggest that the language be modified to "target" not only the users of this equipment but the property owners who employ same. 2) I suggest some thought be put into what municipal body will be responsible for those who ignore. This is a widely known problem in cities that have adopted this type of ban.
As an Oakland resident who cares a great deal about noise pollution, air pollution, and public safety, I support this ban of combustible engine leaf blowers. There are plenty of alternatives that are quieter, safer, and less polluting. Thank you in advance for passing this ordinance.
Please pass this ban, as combustion engine-powered leaf blowers not only hurt our air quality, but are extermely harmful to vulnerable wildlife populations. Baby animals, especially, are greatly endangered by these environmentally destructive machines which reach 100 decibels and disrupt nesting and feeding of young wildlife.
Additionally, if Oakland is truly looking to support all of our most vulnerable populations, the workers operating these machines are the most susceptible to the emissions and fine-particulate blowers kick-up. The low-income workers that are operating this machinery are put at great risk.
Leaf blowers are detrimental to all residents in Oakland. Please do not let landscape companies impact our public health!
As a resident of Oakland for more than 50 years, I strongly support this legislation. I urge the Committee to do so too!
Dear Councilman Dan Kalb,
Thank you for introducing this important legislation and I strongly urge the public works committee to support it. The banning of combustion engine-powered blowers and trimmers in Oakland will improve the lives of people and animals in the City.
Thank you,
Megan Webb
Oakland Resident
Councilman Dan Kalb, once again you lead the way when it comes to doing the right thing for our environment and Oakland residents -- human and non-human. Thank you for introducing this ordinance to prohibit combustion engine-powered leaf blowers and string trimmers in Oakland. I support it very strongly and look forward to a time when we manage our yards in a way that doesn't harm the garden workers, the environment, and the residents who live and walk near these noxious machines. They are unnecessary at best and harmful and worst. I strongly urge the public works committee to support this ordnance.
Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
Oakland Resident
I support banning leaf blowers.
I STRONGLY oppose banning string trimmers.
People in the hills cannot clear their properties for fire danger without the use of gas powered string trimmers. Battery operated don't work for large dense properties, I've tried them. Goats destroy more than they help, spread undesirable seeds, and they don't eat highly flammable scotch broom. Kalb (and others) are pushing this sustainable agenda which will lead to MORE fires. Perhaps that's the point, burn up the hills to get us out of our single family homes and into all those empty stack and pack condos Libby built downtown. Then the city can re-claim our property for the UN's Wildlands project. All for the greater good, right? Look it up folks, cities and counties all over (incl. Oakland and Alameda County) all signed up for this with ICLEI. All this sustainability stuff is pure evil and an attack on the people's rights to own private property (among other things).
Thank you Councilmember Kalb for introducing this ordinance to prohibit combustion engine-powered leaf blowers and string trimmers in Oakland. The negative environmental impacts of these devices, locally and globally, are well documented. Combustion engine-powered blowers and trimmers are a nuisance to all residents of Oakland, including animals, and should be prohibited. I urge the public works committee to support this ordnance.
Tim Anderson
North Oakland