DOCUMENTS SHOW PESTICIDE USE PUTS FISH AT RISK
Documents filed in federal district court show that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that pesticides harm fish, but has failed to take required action.
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Subject: DOCUMENTS SHOW PESTICIDE USE PUTS FISH AT RISK
Date: Wed, 9 May 2001 08:13:29 -0400
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
cc: Christine Whitman whitman.christine@epa.gov
Dear Mr. Helliker, I thought you might like to read an article entitled: DOCUMENTS SHOW PESTICIDE USE PUTS FISH AT RISK.
SEATTLE, Washington, May 8, 2001 (ENS) - Documents filed in federal district court show that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that pesticides harm fish, but has failed to take required action.
The documents were presented as part of a motion for summary judgment in an Endangered Species Act lawsuit seeking protections for salmon from pesticides. Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund filed the court documents on behalf of the Washington Toxics Coalition, the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides, the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, and the Institute for Fisheries Resources.
The groups unearthed volumes of government documents showing current uses of 48 pesticides could harm salmon.
"EPA says in its own documents that dozens of pesticides used in the Northwest have high potential to harm salmon," said Erika Schreder, staff scientist with Washington Toxics Coalition.
The legal filings show that EPA has determined that current uses for 41 pesticides could result in surface water contamination levels that threaten fish or their habitat. The groups also identified 13 pesticides that the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) determined were present in watersheds used by salmon at concentrations at or above levels set to protect fish and other aquatic life.
Because some pesticides are found on the lists of both agencies, a total of 48 pesticides have concerns that were identified by either EPA or USGS.
"EPA and USGS have already made findings that these pesticides can harm salmon, yet EPA fails entirely to comply with its duty under the Endangered Species Act to protect threatened and endangered runs of salmon from these pesticides," said Patti Goldman of Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund.
The groups sued EPA on January 30 for failure to consult with the National Marine Fisheries Service concerning adverse impacts on listed salmon of pesticides that are registered for use by EPA. The motion for summary judgment, and an information sheet identifying the 48 pesticides and where they are used or detected is available at: http://www.pesticide.org/
Well Mr. Helliker, A Report of the Surgeon General, 1980 noted: "In summary, we believe that toxic chemicals are adding to the disease burden of the US in a significant, although as yet not precisely defined, way. In addition, we believe that this problem will become more important in the years ahead...We believe that the magnitude of the public health risk associated with toxic chemicals currently is increasing and will continue to do so until we are successful in identifying chemicals which are highly toxic and controlling the introduction of these chemicals into our environment." Mr. Helliker, I can help you identify the chemicals that are highly toxic, they are called "pesticides" or economic POISONS. And the earth and its inhabitants will continue to suffer from your "registered" POISONS, until you allow the use of safe and far more effective (unregistered) alternatives! Yet, over twenty years later, you STILL are saying that it is only "legal" (in your opinion) to use these "registered" toxins to "control" pest problems - that to me is not "controlling" but mandating the introduction of these deadly chemicals into our environment!
Respectfully, Stephen L. Tvedten
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