DPR Holding Statewide Workshops on Agricultural Pesticides Around Schools
916-445-3974 | Charlotte.Fadipe@cdpr.ca.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) will hold a series of statewide public workshops to hear ideas about how to address concerns about the use of pesticides around schools from May 28 - June 9th 2015.
Schools have been built on prime agricultural land in the middle of farm operations. And increasingly teachers, parents and the general public want to know what chemicals are being applied around them.
While there are currently strict regulations about the use of individual pesticides, DPR’s regulatory framework for restricted pesticides also allows County Agricultural Commissioners to establish additional rules to address local conditions (permits). The department is considering whether to standardize some of these rules on a statewide basis, as well as consider other restrictions.
“DPR wants input from the public as it creates a statewide policy that will help mitigate the challenges created by schools being placed close to working farms”, said Brian Leahy, DPR director. “The policy will include minimum statewide requirements that clearly reflect the responsibilities of schools and farmers as agricultural pesticides are applied close to schools”.
In particular the department would like to hear ideas about
Increased communication through notification to schools
- Of intended applications of certain pesticides
- Made when the school is in session
- Within a certain proximity to the school.
Reduced risk of exposure by additional restrictions on applications
- Of certain pesticides
- Made using specific application methods
- Within a certain proximity to the school.
The department intends to use these workshops as ’listening sessions’, and gather input that will later help to craft a statewide regulation about pesticide use near schools. DPR has scheduled the workshops in five counties to largely coincide with the school year. The workshops, which are open to all members of the public, will be held as follows
Sacramento
| Date | Time | Location | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 28 | 3:00 p.m. | Cal EPA 1001 I Street Sacramento CA |
Applicators and Growers |
| May 28 | 5.30 p.m. | Cal EPA 1001 I Street Sacramento CA |
Community |
Salinas
| Date | Time | Location | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2 | 3:00 p.m. | Cesar Chavez Library 615 Williams Road Salinas CA 93905 |
Applicators and Growers |
| June 2 | 5.30 p.m. | Cesar Chavez Library 615 Williams Road Salinas CA 93905 |
Community |
Camarillo/Ventura
| Date | Time | Location | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 3 | 3:00 p.m. | Ventura County Government Center Board of Supervisor's Room 800 S. Victoria Avenue Ventura, CA 93009 |
Applicators and Growers |
| June 3 | 5:30 p.m. | Ventura County Government Center Board of Supervisor's Room 800 S. Victoria Avenue Ventura, CA 93009 |
Community |
Lamont
| Date | Time | Location | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 4 | 3:00 p.m. | Kern County Library 8304 Segrue Rd. Lamont CA 93241 |
Applicators and Growers |
| June 4 | 5.30 p.m. | Kern County Library 8304 Segrue Rd. Lamont CA 93241 |
Community |
Riverside
| Date | Time | Location | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 9 | 3:00 p.m. | Homewood Suites by Hilton 45-200 Washington Street La Quinta, CA 92253 |
Applicators and Growers |
| June 9 | 5.30 p.m. | Homewood Suites by Hilton 45-200 Washington Street La Quinta, CA 92253 |
Community |
For more information on existing Regulation of Pesticides Used at or Near Schools visit www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/legbills/regsdeve.htm.
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