Department of Pesticide Regulation

PESTICIDE USE ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM PLANNING AND EVALUATION GUIDANCE - OCTOBER 2004 THROUGH 2006

I´m pleased to provide the Pesticide Use Enforcement Program Planning and Evaluation Guidance. The enclosed guidance represents a simplified approach in targeting core program priorities and evaluating the effectiveness of county pesticide use enforcement programs. This guidance is the culmination of a broad review of the Department of Pesticide Regulation´s (DPR´s) core programs and enforcement oversight function. Our legislative mission to protect people and the environment guided this review and shaped the final document.

Integral to this review was a discussion about improving coordination between the planning, implementation, and performance evaluation components; and leveraging our related but distinct authorities and responsibilities to yield the greatest program effectiveness. DPR's oversight and evaluation functions, instead of remaining static, will now track the implementation of core program priorities at the local level. This new approach to program planning and evaluation will focus on the cumulative effect of county agricultural commissioner´s (CAC´s) decisions on local and statewide programs and whether the guidance provided by DPR supports both the CACs´ right to act independently and their responsibility to act fairly.

DPR must assure an effective statewide Pesticide Use Enforcement program. Failure to do so will harm individuals and their communities, sensitive ecosystems and the wildlife they support, and ultimately, the various industries whose economic health depends on pest control products and activities. The only route to an effective statewide program is through successful local programs. Our role is to identify real and potential problems and create an environment where program improvement is integral to our daily activities.

In the enclosed document we ask that you evaluate core areas of your program during fiscal year 2004/05. In addition, we encourage you to adopt the Pesticide Use Enforcement Program Planning and Evaluation Guidance as your 2004/05 work plan. The findings of your evaluation should be the basis for a comprehensive, baseline, work plan for future program implementation. Thereafter, amendment of your enforcement work plans would occur as program priorities dictate or specific actions for program improvement are identified.

Feel free to discuss any questions you may have with your Enforcement Branch Liaison and Regional Office Supervisor. We are confident that the resulting guidance will assure our collective actions are directed toward the goal of greatest protection and our implementation is fair, equitable, and effective.

cc:  Mr. Paul H. Gosselin, DPR Chief Deputy Director
       Mr. Daniel J. Merkley, DPR Agricultural Commissioner Liaison