Let's Ban Neonicotinoid Pesticides in Falmouth!

UPDATE 2/26/2025: VICTORY

On 2/24/25, Falmouth, Maine passed an ordinance regulating the use of pesticides and fertilizers. This milestone represents years of dedicated research, public outreach, and advocacy led by the Falmouth Conservation Commission to safeguard the health and welfare of residents while protecting the town’s environment, waterways, and natural resources.

By passing this ordinance on February 24, 2025, the town has taken an essential step toward reducing harmful chemical runoff into local waters and protecting soil health, marine life, and overall public well-being.

Key directives of the ordinance include:

●The outdoor application of neonicotinoid pesticides is prohibited in Falmouth.

●Application of all pesticides is prohibited within 75 feet of any water body and

within 20 feet of any storm drain.

Throughout this process, councilors carefully balanced environmental health priorities with individual homeowner rights, demonstrating a deep commitment to responsible governance.

The Surfrider Foundation Maine Chapter’s Climate Action Chair and Policy Lead, Mariel Geiger, provided testimony in support of the ordinance on 2/10/2025, emphasizing the urgent need to prevent toxic chemical pollution before it enters the environment. The chapter also conducted outreach via social media and an action alert, encouraging community members to write letters to city officials to support the ordinance.

Falmouth’s leadership sets a powerful precedent for coastal communities throughout Maine, proving that science-based policy and community engagement can drive meaningful environmental progress. This is a major win for the chapter, for clean water, and for the community of Falmouth, Maine!

Background

The Surfrider Foundation Maine chapter is supporting the passage of an ordinance in the town of Falmouth to regulate pesticide and fertilizer use, including the use of neonicotinoids. 

Neurotoxic pesticides have been linked to devastating bee and insect losses worldwide and, increasingly, to extensive water and soil contamination. Once applied, these chemicals do not remain contained—they enter the water cycle. Through rain, irrigation, and groundwater flows, pesticides are transported from land into streams, rivers, and ultimately, the ocean. This process contaminates marine ecosystems, disrupts aquatic life, and introduces harmful substances into the food chain. Even contamination at a molecular level can have an amplified impact, affecting the health of our oceans and the communities that rely on them.

The chapter will show their support for this ordinance at a public hearing on February 10th and has also submitted written testimony. If you are interested in learning more about this campaign or how you can get involved with the chapter's policy efforts, please contact climate@maine.surfrider.org.