Some in landscaping are limiting pesticides

I am writing in response to "LI's pesticide problem" [News, Jan. 4]. Protecting the aquifer is a primary reason that the state developed the Be Green Organic Yards NY program. This was not done to point fingers at the landscaping industry, but rather because this industry is truly a steward of our environment.

State officials recognized this, and that if we were ever truly going to embrace organic land care on Long Island, it would have to be done through an all-out collaboration among the state, the industry, environmental advocates and the public.

I chose to embrace this effort on a professional level. I urge any person who cares about the landscape, and the environment around his or her home, to go to the state's website and review this program.

In addition to the truth that our aquifer has pesticide traces in it, there is another truth: We could argue and point fingers at each other for decades, and paralyze any efforts to improve our environment.

The groups that wish to ban all toxic pesticides can point to the fact that we were all told that the trace elements found in the water now were not supposed to leach into water - and they would be correct. The industry groups can point out that homeowners use much higher quantities and dosage rates of pesticides, and that there is very little regulation of homeowner pesticide use - and they would be correct also.

David McMaster

Southampton

Editor's note: The writer is the vice president of the F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Co.