The Hydro Mechanical Obliteration technique uses an industrial strength high powered pressure washer or customized mobile apparatus to obliterate weeds/vegetation. The HMO apparatus shoots out on average three gallons per minute - less than from a shower head. (Reclaimed "gray water" can also be used). The water volume depends on the apparatus used and the type of vegetation removal required. The psi (pressure) calibration is adjusted for specific types of vegetation. In the process of "obliterating" the weeds and invasive plants, the remains become a fine grain compost—there is no need to remove and dispose of the material. The mulch that is created by obliterating the undesirable vegetation provides nutrients to the soil. Immediately after obliterating the weeds, a compost tea mixture can be added, then the area can be sown with native seeds or other vegetation.

HMO can quickly clear away brush and can access hard to reach places like canyons, as well as hard to mow areas like fence lines, along building, around trees, around play ground equipment, and even around delicate desirable vegetation. If nothing is seeded after HMO, unwanted vegetation will sprout up. However, it won't grow as high and will be easier to clear the next time. This method is environmentally friendly and it's fast: On average one licensed operator can clear 1 acre in about 6 to 8 hours. For Invasive/restoration projects, the process is slower: the average is 1/3 to 1/4 acre per day. The patented process can be used only by a licensed operator. A regular power washer can be adapted to do the job or a customized apparatus can be made to order.  

To learn more or arrange a demonstration: contact Cameron Colson
H_M_O CONTACT INFO
dba.Camcosm Inc:
Hydro_Mechanical_Obliterationsm (H_M_O or HMO)
Contact: Cameron Colson, (408) 647-6603, www.californiacompliant.com

With known and unknown long term heath affects of exposure to herbicides to children, adults, animals, and the environment, we need to do our due diligence in seeking alternative methods to reduce and eliminate the use of herbicides to control weeds and invasive plant species. When you calculate the hidden cost factors of using a herbicide, the cost of  the HMO technique is about equal.

Learning about and observing new weed abatement techniques will help us make better decisions about what safest approaches to use in addressing problematic areas while protecting ourselves, our children and the environment from harmful chemicals as mandated by the "Precautinary Principle":

"PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE" DEFINITIONS:
As stated in Article 15 of the Rio declaration of 1992:

“In order to protect the environment, the precautionary approach shall be widely applied by States according to their capabilities.  Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation.”

 As stated at Wingspread, headquarters of the Johnson Foundation, in January 1998, at a meeting of lawyers, scientists, policy makers and environmentalists:

“When an activity raises threats of harm to the environment or human health, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically.”

A Hydro Mechanical Obliteration Demonstration: took place on April 19, 2007 at a Novato Unified School District site on San Andreas Drive, in Novato on undeveloped property. The NUSD Integrated Pest Management Committee, NUSD maintenance staff and other Marin leaders attended the demonstration. See Pictures of the demo.

As a concerned parent and citizen, I did research on HMO (H_M_O) and created this web page in order to share this information with the community at large. I am not affiliated with Cameron Colson or his company, nor have I been paid to create and maintain this website. My goal is to seek alternatives to the use of herbicides. This research and demonstration I've arranged is to help the Novato Unified School District (NUSD) IPM Committee do "due diligence" in finding alternatives to the use of herbicides. I was a member of NUSD IPM Committee from 2006 to 2010. For more information on my advocacy around sustainablity visit: www.NovatoLiveWell.org.
-- Veronica Valero

Veronica Valero: About Me: I am a Founding Board Member and volunteer Executive Director of the Novato Live Well Network (www.NovatoLiveWell.org). I am a founding member and chair of the Novato Community Garden Project. My business is "The Computer Tutor of Marin" (www.ComputerTutorMarin.com).

TO CONTACT ME : Veronica Valero, 415-897-2302