SACRAMENTO--Cal/EPA's Department of Pesticide Regulation is taking applications for approximately $750,000 in grants for projects aimed at developing reduced-risk methods of controlling pests.

The winning projects must be cost effective, reduce environmental and health risks, and show potential for widespread adoption. Funding is available for demonstration and applied research projects in both agricultural and nonagricultural pest control.

"Reduced-risk pest management practices are based on knowledge of the ecosystem and the biology of the pests," said Jean-Mari Peltier, DPR Chief Deputy Director. "These pest management systems are inherently more stable because they emphasize biological and cultural controls or other reduced-risk management practices."

Grants are available from $10,000 to $30,000 per year. Funding is for one year, but may be renewed for two additional years based on performance. Approximately $500,000 is available for demonstration projects, and the remaining $250,000 for applied research.

Priority for demonstration grant funding will be given to:

• Projects that develop reduced-risk replacement systems for pest management materials that may be impacted through implementation of the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996. This includes projects focusing on alternatives for organophosphates, carbamates, and methyl bromide, and alternatives for crop disease fungicides identified as probable carcinogens.
• Integrated pest management (IPM) projects for public schools.
• IPM projects in structural, ornamental, and other nonagricultural sectors.
• Agricultural and nonagricultural pest management projects that address the protection of surface and ground water quality.

Priority for applied research funding will be given to projects that develop critical components of threatened or disrupted pest management systems as a result of:

• Regulatory activities such as loss of registered pesticides for minor crops.
• Environmental and human health impacts.
• Pest resistance.
• Introduction of new pests or new strains of pests.

The deadline for submission of proposals is October 5, 1998. Grants will be awarded in early spring, 1999.

Grant proposals will be reviewed by the state's Pest Management Advisory Committee, established in 1992 by DPR and the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The committee, which will make recommendations to DPR on which projects to fund, includes representatives of all aspects of agricultural production--from those who practice traditional chemical-intensive crop protection techniques to organic farmers, government regulators, environmental groups active in the pesticide arena, university representatives and others knowledgeable about pest management.

For information on the grants program or a copy of the request for proposals, contact Bob Elliott, Environmental Monitoring and Pest Management Branch, 830 K Street, Sacramento 95814-3510, phone 916/324-4100, fax 916/324-4088, E-mail belliott@cdpr.ca.gov. The RFP and information on DPR's Pest Management Grants program is also available online at www.cdpr.ca.gov.

This is the fourth time DPR has offered funds for reduced-risk pest management projects. Since 1996, DPR has awarded nearly $2 million in grants.

In addition to the $750,000 in funding available in the pest management grants program, DPR will also be awarding $750,000 for pest management alliances. The alliance program focuses on establishing partnerships with groups pursuing large-scale projects in pest management.