In October 2017, P-41, the most recent mountain lion death in Los Angeles, died with six different rodent poisons in his system, Poison Free Malibu reports.
Assemblymember Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica), a champion of wildlife, who successfully banned the use of these products in state wildlife areas, has introduced new legislation, AB 2422, that would restrict the use of anticoagulant rodent poisons in California once and for all.
AB2422 must pass through the Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials (ESTM) committee in a public hearing on April 10.
Poison Free Malibu is requesting the public to contact members of the ESTM committee and their staffers that you are tired of seeing our valuable natural predators wiped out and sickened by these horrible poisons that have infiltrated California’s ecosystems, that you strongly support AB 2422, and want the ESTM committee to pass it.
In July 2014, The California Department of Pesticide Regulation pulled second-generation anti-coagulants from consumer shelves but there has been no decrease in the rate of wildlife poisoning. Why? Because, despite our ongoing actions, a giant loophole allowed the pest control industry to continue using them.
AB 2422 would restrict first- and second-generation anticoagulants, both of which are responsible for wildlife deaths and “sublethal” impacts that affect the ability of wildlife to survive and thrive. Northern spotted owls, San Joaquin kit foxes, and Pacific fishers are threatened species being endangered by these poisons.
A 2018 study by UCLA and others found that these poisons are affecting genes that regulate bobcat immune systems. Seventy to 90 percent of predator species populations have poison exposure, including hawks, owls, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, and mountain lions.
See PoisonFreeMalibu.org for the complete story.
SUGGESTED CONTACT INFORMATION
- Short e-mail: “As a California resident, I am greatly concerned about the unacceptable impacts of rat poison on our state’s wildlife. Rat poison in the food web is destroying our valuable natural predators—including hawks, owls, foxes, bobcats, mountain lions—all of which control rodents better than any poisons do. I strongly support AB 2422, which would restrict the use of the worst of these poisons and urge the ESTM committee to pass this bill.”
- Phone calls are effective. Personalize whenever possible.
- A longer sample letter is available at poisonfreemalibu.org.
- It is very important, if you live in a member’s district, to let them know you are a constituent. Politicians listen to their voters.
DIRECT E-MAILS TO:
TO: joaquin.arambula@asm.ca.gov, chris.holden@asm.ca.gov, al.muratsuchi@asm.ca.gov, william.brough@asm.ca.gov, phillip.chen@asm.ca.gov
CC: pia.estrada@asm.ca.gov, arturo.barajas@asm.ca.gov, elle.hoxworth@asm.ca.gov, brady.mccarthy@asm.ca.gov
Please cc: PoisonFreeMalibu@gmail.com, as well.
ESTM COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND STAFF
Phillip Chen, Rep-55 (Brea, Chino Hills, Diamond Bar, La Habra, Industry, Placentia, Rowland Heights), (916) 319-2055, phillip.chen@asm.ca.gov
William Brough, Rep-73 (Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, San Clemente)
(916) 319-2073, william.brough@asm.ca.gov
Al Muratsuchi, Dem-66 (Torrance, Rancho Palos Verdes)
(916) 319-2066, al.muratsuchi@asm.ca.gov
Staff: Brady McCarthy, brady.mccarthy@asm.ca.gov
Chris Holden, Dem-41 (Northern San Gabriel Valley, Pasadena, San Dimas)
(916) 319-2041, chris.holden@asm.ca.gov; Staff: Elle Hoxworth, elle.hoxworth@asm.ca.gov
Dr. Joaquin Arambula, Dem-31 (Fresno), (916) 319-2031, joaquin.arambula@asm.ca.gov;
Staff: Arturo Barajas, arturo.barajas@asm.ca.gov
Pia Estrada, Secretary: Pia.Estrada@asm.ca.gov
Mailing Address for All
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249
