Posted June 6, 2014
An alliance of advocates for alternatives to pesticides, conservation organizations, and fishing groups have reached an agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), according to an article on Indy Bay available here. Politico also published an article here.
The agreement restores no-spray buffer zones to protect salmon and steelhead from five-broad spectrum insect killers such as diazinon, chlorpyrifos, malathion, carbaryl, and methomyl.
“Keeping these highly toxic pesticides out of streams and rivers protects the health of salmon and our children,” said Todd Steiner, executive director of Turtle Island Restoration Network. “It is way more cost effective than trying to clean up the mess after the fact.”
EPA is preparing to seek comment on a proposed settlement agreement that would issue stream-side buffer areas to protect endangered salmon species from pesticides. EPA details the settlement, Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides, et al., v. EPA, in a Federal Register notice set for publication Friday, according to Politico.
“These buffer zones would remain in place until EPA implements any necessary protections for Pacific salmon and steelhead based on reinitiated consultations with [the National Marine Fisheries Service],” according to the notice.
“We know our Northwest farmers and growers to be good land and water stewards. In reaching agreement, EPA will now give clearer direction to farmers on how to better protect fish, if and when they choose to use these chemicals near salmon-supporting streams,” said Kim Leval, executive director of the Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides, the lead plaintiff on the lawsuit.
For more information on pesticides, please visit the National Agricultural Law Center’s website here.
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