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California Department of Pesticide Regulation NEWS

Media Contact: Lea Brooks
916-445-3974 | lbrooks@cdpr.ca.gov
June 6, 2012 (12-14)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DPR ONLINE BULLETIN

This informal, online bulletin from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) appears periodically. Our goal is to keep interested parties up to date on practical information, regulatory developments and other announcements.

STRUCTURAL PEST CONTROL BOARD APPOINTMENTS
Gov. Brown has appointed Ronna Brand of Beverly Hills, Naresh Duggal of San Jose and Mike Duran of Indio to the board.

Brand is the founder and owner of Brand Realty and has been state director for the California Association of Realtors since 2006. She was president of the Beverly Hills Greater Los Angeles Association of Realtors in 2007 and founder and owner of Bicoastal Connections from 1980 to 1984.

“My appointment to the board is a great honor,” Brand said. “Coming from a real estate family, I am bringing with me a lifetime of experience in property management and construction. I am an entrepreneur and owner of a Beverly Hills real estate boutique. This background and knowledge will help me be watchful for all aspects of client-consumer protection.”

Duggal has been a manager in Santa Clara County’s integrated pest management unit since 2002. He was a quality assurance manager for the commercial division of Orkin Exterminating Inc. from 1999 to 2002. He served in multiple positions at Prism Professional Integrated Sanitation Management from 1994 to 1999, including technical support, quality assurance manager and staff entomologist.

“Structural pest control has evolved over years,” Duggal said. “Consumers have diverse views and preferences about pest control and pesticide use. The public generally believe that insects, diseases and other pests need to be controlled, but also believe that their surroundings should be protected from hazards associated with pesticides. Regulatory agencies are also highly concerned about non-point source pollution due to the use of pesticides and its effect on air, land and water resources. I look forward to providing strategic input to the board toward this new direction.”

Duran has been president of Duran’s Termite and Pest Control Inc. since 1977. He has been a member and trustee for the Valley Sanitary District of Indio since 2003. Duran was a member and trustee of the Mosquito and Vector Control and Sanitary District in Coachella Valley from 2004 to 2008 and established the Pest Control Operators, Palm Springs chapter and served as president from 2001 to 2004.

“I am the founder of a family owned-and-operated business and have been active in the pest control industry for approximately 45 years,” Duran said. “Serving as a member of board has been a dream of mine since I started in the industry. My mind set is one foot in the now and one foot in the future.”

In related news, Assembly Speaker John Perez reappointed David Tamayo to another term on the board. Tamayo is an environmental specialist for the Sacramento County Department of Water Resources.

BROWN BAG LUNCH PRESENTATION IN SACRAMENTO ON REDUCING PESTICIDES IN PARKS
On Wednesday, June 13, representatives of Davis and San Jose will discuss how their cities have reduced pesticide use in public parks, promoted drought-tolerant plants, saved water and provided habitat for beneficial insects and wildlife.

ERROR FOUND IN ANNUAL VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUND EMISSIONS INVENTORY REPORT
The report contains emission information based on 1990- 2010 pesticide use data for five areas in California that do not meet the federal Clean Air Act. The technical error was found in pesticide use report data and volatile organic compound emissions for a single product containing bifenthrin. The error has no effect on the status of the non-attainment areas.

REMINDER: REDUCTIONS PROPOSED IN VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS FROM NONFUMIGANT PESTICIDE EMISSIONS IN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
A public hearing is scheduled today, June 6, in Tulare County; June 7 is the deadline for comments on the proposal that would affect Fresno, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tulare counties and part of Kern County.

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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