I fear the Kauai County Council is ignoring the costs associated with Bill 2491. As an employee of one of the companies that will be regulated, I ask the Council to consider these costs before imposing extreme restrictions on farms
I fear the Kauai County Council is ignoring the costs associated with Bill 2491. As an employee of one of the companies that will be regulated, I ask the Council to consider these costs before imposing extreme restrictions on farms that grow commercial seed on Kauai:
1. More government expense: Bill 2491 would create a costly new bureaucracy in our county government to administer a new, more restrictive permitting process for any pesticide use and to develop a complex Environmental Impact Statement related to the planting of GMO crops. This bureaucracy would duplicate existing processes and regulations at the state and national level.
2. Fewer jobs: If Bill 2491 passes, there is a good chance the company I work for will simply cease operations on Kauai. If all seed companies leave the island, about 600 well-paying jobs will leave with them. Construction contractors, fertilizer suppliers and other local companies that serve seed farms are also at risk.
3. Tax base erosion: If seed companies abandon Kauai because of Bill 2491, it will mean less tax revenue to support our schools, roads and other services.
People who work at these seed companies are our friends and neighbors. The community will not be the same if they need to leave the island to find work.
• Taryn Dizon is a resident of Kekaha.
