News

DPR ONLINE BULLETIN

This is one in a continuing series of online bulletins from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR). Our goal is to keep interested parties up to date on practical information and developments that may not be included in DPR news releases or other announcements. Online bulletins are posted periodically.

METHYL BROMIDE DATA TO BE DISCUSSED

DPR will hold a workshop June 28 to discuss methyl bromide monitoring in five counties during 2001. The workshop is scheduled at 9 a.m. in the Coastal Hearing Room at Cal/EPA Headquarters, 1001 I Street, Sacramento. Monitoring reports from the California Air Resources Board and methyl bromide registrants are available under "Publications" at www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/emon/methbrom/mb_main.htm
DPR expects to complete and post a preliminary evaluation of the monitoring data soon.

FUMIGANT EXEMPTION WORKSHOPS SCHEDULED

This summer, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will conduct a series of informational workshops on critical use exemptions for methyl bromide. Separate, half-day workshops are planned for grower groups, individual users, and consortia to discuss their applications. A Sacramento workshop is tentatively scheduled July 8-12. For more information, contact Lelia Kaplus at lkaplus@icfconsulting.com or call (202) 862-1586. Details on methyl bromide critical use exemptions and applications are at www.epa.gov/ozone/mbr/. A list of alternatives for methyl bromide is at www.epa.gov/ozone/mbr/us_alt_in.html.

EXPEL SCHOOL PESTS

DPR's School IPM Program has created a checklist of pest prevention tactics specifically designed for schools. "Pest Prevention: Maintenance Practices and Facility Design," lists more than 150 techniques that school pest managers, staff, and contractors should understand and use. Look under "What's New" at www.cdpr.ca.gov/schoolipm/main.cfm

ALLIANCE PROGRAM REVIEWED

For four years, DPR's Pest Management Alliance Program has encouraged adoption of least-toxic pest management practices statewide, from farm fields to urban neighborhoods. To assess the program's effectiveness, DPR contracted with the Center for Agricultural Partnerships for a comprehensive review and report. Find six major recommendations at www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/pestmgt/ipminov/ipmmenu.htm

AVOID LINES, GO ONLINE

DPR's "24-7" access to regulatory services and requirements continues to improve. A pilot project that provides online county registration for pest control licensees is expected to expand to 13 counties by next month. And pest control licensees who work in any county statewide may verify their licensing and compliance information. (Go to http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/license/currlic.htm and enter the license number and zip code that appears on your card, then choose a username and password. You will also need an active e-mail address to complete your enrollment. Problems? E-mail lquagliaroli@cdpr.ca.gov)

Pesticide licenses and certificates for individuals and businesses whose names begin with the letters A through L will expire on December 31, 2002. (Licenses and certificates for names M to Z expire December 31, 2003.) DPR will begin sending out hard copy renewal forms in September, and requests renewal application by November 1 -- but licensees need not wait til then. Renewal applications are now available at http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/license/liccert.htm

EVALUATION REGULATIONS AMENDED

The Office of Administrative Law has approved amendments in DPR regulations to conduct effectiveness evaluations for county pesticide use enforcement programs, and identify corrective actions. The amended regulations take effect on July 1 and may be reviewed at www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/legbills/recntadop.htm. For summaries of pesticide-related legislative proposals, see www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/legbills/2002bills.htm

RICE WATER DATA POSTED

As part of its surface water program, DPR’s Environmental Monitoring Branch has posted its first update of rice pesticide monitoring data for 2002, in cooperation with the California Rice Commission. The report includes water quality analyses by the cities of Sacramento and West Sacramento. Go to www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/surfwtr/riceprog.htm

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