PESTICIDES HARM CALIFORNIA AMPHIBIANS

A study by scientists of the U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Department of Agriculture indicates that organophosphorus pesticides from agricultural areas, which are transported to the Sierra Nevada on prevailing summer winds (DRIFT), may be affecting populations of amphibians that breed in mountain ponds and streams.

(who else lives downstream and drinks water... children)

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Subject:     YOUR "REGISTERED" PESTICIDES HARM CALIFORNIA AMPHIBIANS----
 Date:        Sat, 09 Dec 2000 12:39:44 -0500
From:        Stephen Tvedten <steve@getipm.com>
Organization:     Get Set Inc. (www.getipm.com)

To:     Paul Helliker <phelliker@cdpr.ca.gov>
          Director, State of California, Department of Pesticide Regulation 

Dear Mr. Helliker, I thought you might like to read an article entitled: PESTICIDES HARM CALIFORNIA AMPHIBIANS.

SACRAMENTO, California, December 8, 2000 (ENS) - Scientists have confirmed that agricultural contaminants may be an important factor in amphibian declines in California. A study by scientists of the U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Department of Agriculture indicates that organophosphorus pesticides from agricultural areas, which are transported to the Sierra Nevada on prevailing summer winds (DRIFT), may be affecting populations of amphibians that breed in mountain ponds and streams. Population declines in threatened red-legged frogs, foothills yellow-legged frogs, mountain yellow-legged frogs and Yosemite toads have occurred in California over the last 10 to 15 years, but no single cause for these declines has been identified. Many of these declines occurred in some of the state's most pristine areas. Declines have been drastic in the Sierra Nevada, which lie east of the agricultural San Joaquin Valley.

"While crucial to the agriculture industry, pesticides by their very nature can result in serious harm to wildlife both by directly killing animals and through more subtle effects on reproduction, development and behavior," said Dr. Donald Sparling, a research biologist and contaminants specialist at the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. "Unfortunately, now there appears to be a close correlation between declining populations of amphibians in the Sierra Nevada and exposure to agricultural pesticides." The scientists found proof that pesticides are being absorbed by frogs in both aquatic and terrestrial systems and are suppressing an enzyme called cholinesterase, which is essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system. "Melting of pesticide contaminated snow could provide a pulse of toxic chemicals at a critical time in the life history of these frogs," said Dr. Gary Fellers, a research biologist and amphibian specialist at the USGS Western Ecological Research Center. The research is detailed in an article accepted by the journal "Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry."

Well Mr. Helliker, your policy of only allowing the use of your "registered" POISONS to "protect" animal and people foodstuffs is obviously KILLING more than the "pests".  When will it be "legal" (in your opinion) to use safe and far more effective (unregistered) alternatives to actually solve pest problems in California?

Respectfully,  Stephen L. Tvedten

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