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Media Advisory: Department of Pesticide Regulation Sets June 6 Hearing on Proposal to Reduce Pesticide Emissions in San Joaquin Valley

Media Contact: Lea Brooks
916-445-3974 | Lea.Brooks@cdpr.ca.gov
May 24, 2012 (12-12)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

What: Public hearing to accept comments on proposed regulations to reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from nonfumigant pesticides in the San Joaquin Valley
When: June 6, 2012, 6 p.m. Speakers can sign up beginning at 5 p.m.
Where: Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office-Auditorium, 4437 S. Laspina St., Tulare

SACRAMENTO – The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) has scheduled a June 6 public hearing in Tulare County to accept comments on proposed regulations to reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from nonfumigant pesticides in the San Joaquin Valley.

In 2008, DPR’s restrictions on fumigant pesticide applications took effect in the San Joaquin Valley, and four other areas of the state that do not meet federal air quality standards. They were the first regulations in the nation to specifically target agricultural pesticide applications to improve air quality.

"The bulk of VOC emissions statewide are from vehicles, manufacturing and industrial activities and consumer products," DPR Director Brian R. Leahy emphasized. "Pesticide VOC emissions contribute approximately 2 percent of the total. Although pesticides represent a small slice, we are proud of our contributions to improving air quality while balancing the ability of farmers to implement changes necessary to reduce pesticide emissions."

This follow-up proposal targets VOCs from nonfumigant pesticides in Fresno, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tulare counties and part of Kern County. Seventy-six percent of pesticide emissions in the San Joaquin Valley were from nonfumigant pesticides in 2010, the most recent available data.

The proposed regulations would require:

  • Dealers to provide certain information to an individual purchasing a high-VOC product containing abamectin, chlorpyrifos, gibberellins or oxyfluorfen. This information would include the requirements for a grower to obtain a written recommendation from a pest control adviser prior to certain uses of a high-VOC product in the San Joaquin Valley.
  • Growers to obtain a written recommendation from a pest control adviser prior to using a high-VOC product containing abamectin, chlorpyrifos, gibberellins or oxyfluorfen in the San Joaquin Valley during the ozone season from May through October on one of seven crops: alfalfa, almonds, citrus, cotton, grapes, walnuts or pistachios.

The proposed regulations would prohibit applications of these high-VOC products if VOC pesticide emissions from the previous year exceeded approximately 17.2 tons per day, which is 95 percent of the benchmark set in regulation.

More information about the regulations, which would take effect in 2013, is posted online.

The deadline for public comments is 5 p.m. June 7. Written comments can be submitted to Linda Irokawa-Otani, Regulations Coordinator, Department of Pesticide Regulation, 1001 I St., P.O. Box 4015, Sacramento CA 95812-4015; e-mailed or faxed to 916/324-1452.

One of five departments and boards within the California Environmental Protection Agency, DPR regulates the registration, sale and use of pesticides and fosters reduced-risk pest management to protect people and the environment. More information about DPR is posted at www.cdpr.ca.gov.

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