Has Bad RIOC, the state glutton that mindlessly swaggers around Roosevelt Island feeding itself returned? Or was it there all the time, wearing a mask?
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Bad RIOC Leaves a Trail
“RIOC is back to poison!” read the text. Following was a report on careless pesticide use and the deaths of at least 10 vulnerable animals. We don’t know what “pest” RIOC’s contractor BrightView targeted, but the killing was widespread and culled other innocent animals in its wake.
“Dead wildlife at Southpoint and dogs experiencing diarrhea after walking in the grassy areas throughout RI,” one resident texted. “But there have been 3 baby squirrels as well, and 7 goslings.”
That was as of Friday, and keep in mind that many animals, when dying, hide somewhere. Others are consumed by predators.
Unnecessary Poisons Sprayed, Careless Warnings
At first glance, this looks okay as mandatory warnings go, but in perspective, it’s not.
…must also be placed at common points of entry adjacent to the treated areas including, but not limited to, driveways and walkways…
Think about it this way: If you’re out walking your dog, you and your dog would have to walk through the poisoned area just to read the sign because it’s posted so far from the pathway that you can’t read it. Small animals didn’t even get that chance.
What Do We Know About the Pesticide Spraying?
Possibly the worst practice we routinely see from Bad RIOC is a consistent failure to consult with residents or even communicate openly with them. And in this instance, that failure swells because we have well-known wildlife experts like Christina Delfico and Rossana Ceruzzi right here.
Learning of the killings, The Daily asked RIOC’s interim leadership team as well as its Acting COO Mary Cunneen about the pesticide use.
But instead of decision-makers Gerrald Ellis, Dhru Amin or Cunneen answering, we heard from Communications Director Bryant Daniels. That’s a copout as Daniels does not oversee contractors or their performance. He’s a conduit for others who are as bunkered when push comes to shove as previous administrations.
“We always try to use the most environmentally friendly products,” Daniels says. That’s debatable because we don’t know what “products” they used, but not debatable is the fact that solid alternatives were available. The killings did not have to happen.
Looking Beyond the Chemical Crutch: Safer Alternatives*
There are fortunately safer and more sustainable alternatives to relying on pesticides in public green spaces:
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM): This approach combines various methods like habitat modification, attracting beneficial insects, and using targeted controls only when necessary.
- Organic Landscaping: Focusing on healthy soil, using native plants, and encouraging natural predators can create a more resilient ecosystem less reliant on chemicals.
- Public Education: Raising awareness about the dangers of pesticides and promoting safer alternatives is crucial for long-term change.
* From: Pesticides in Parks: Minimizing Risks to Wildlife and Public Awareness
Finally…
If the past is prologue, we will never get a definitive explanation from Bad RIOC, and we’re not sure there’s any other version. Key staff have resigned or been fired, without replacement, and the leadership out of Governor Hochul’s Albany factotums is laughable invisible.
But alternatives that avoid the broad stroke of killing caused by poorly targeted pesticides are there and have been for years. Integrated pest management (IPM) saves lives. We can only guess why RIOC doesn’t consider them, but is it possible the state agency can pull itself up into the 21st Century in the future?
Ask the questions.
Emergency Without Urgency
When government invokes the word “emergency,” normal process changes. Timelines accelerate. Environmental review can narrow. Procurement pathways can shift.
