Scientific Prioritization and Review Committee (SPARC)
DPR’s Scientific Prioritization and Review Committee (SPARC) is a scientific advisory committee to advise the department on prioritizing actions associated with continuous evaluation and mitigation.
SPARC provides science-based recommendations to inform DPR’s transparent, data-driven process for identifying and addressing potential risks to human health and the environment from pesticide use. SPARC serves as a public forum for discussing recommendations to DPR on initiating priority actions, including human health and environmental risk assessments, alternatives assessment, and mitigation.
SPARC includes up to 15 external members with scientific and practitioner expertise in specific fields. SPARC serves in an advisory capacity and will not hold decision-making authority.
The committee’s formation supports implementation of California’s Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap, which calls for a statewide transition to safer, more sustainable pest management practices.
All SPARC meetings will be open to the public and include opportunities for public comment.
For more information about SPARC’s role in informing DPR’s work, please view the Scientific Prioritization and Review Committee (SPARC) and DPR Prioritization of Pesticide Actions fact sheet:
Provides instructions for applicants interested in becoming SPARC members, including all questions that must be answered
Nominations for SPARC Membership Open through December 1, 2025
Please submit the following application to self-nominate for SPARC membership. The application is due to Prioritization@cdpr.ca.gov by December 1, 2025.
SPARC Documents
Charter: Details SPARC’s advisory role, governance structure, and term limits.
Roles and Responsibilities: Outlines SPARC’s objectives, goals, and the roles and responsibilities of both members and DPR.
Public Feedback
In April 2025, DPR held a workshop to share our approach to developing a proposed pesticide prioritization process and structure for an advisory committee to inform this process.
Public Comments: Complete list of comments submitted:
DPR Summary of Public Feedback: A generalized summary of public input related to SPARC that DPR received after the April 2025 public workshop and through written feedback
For questions about SPARC, please email Prioritization@cdpr.ca.gov.
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Email: cdprweb@cdpr.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 445-4300