EPA set to probe pesticides suspected of being harmful
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CommentSubject: EPA set to probe pesticides suspected of being harmful
Date: Wed, 24 Apr 2002 16:55:56 -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
EPA
set to probe pesticides suspected of being harmful
Effects on endangered species
Jane
Kay, Chronicle Environment Writer
Saturday, April 20, 2002
©2002
San Francisco Chronicle
URL:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/04/20/BA198117.DTL
The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency tentatively agreed yesterday to investigate
18 commonly used field and forest pesticides to see whether they are harming
California's imperiled salmon and wild plants, a possible prelude to new
restrictions on pest-control chemicals.
In
a statement issued yesterday, EPA officials in Washington said the agreement
would establish deadlines for the agency to "consult with the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service over potential
effects of pesticides on certain endangered or threatened species."
The
decision won't be final until the EPA completes a 30-day public comment period.
Only after considering the comments would the agency either attempt further
negotiations or sign a final agreement, said Lisa Fasano, an EPA spokeswoman in
San Francisco.
The
species are 33 native wildflowers as well as seven salmon species, including
chinook, steelhead and coho in the Sacramento, Feather, San Joaquin, Eel, Napa
and Russian rivers.
The
proposed agreement comes in the form of a consent decree to settle a lawsuit
filed two years ago in U.S. District Court in Oakland by three groups - -
Californians for Alternatives to Toxics, Humboldt Watershed Council in Arcata
and the Environmental Protection Information Center in Garberville.
The
lawsuit contended that the EPA was abrogating its responsibilities under the
Endangered Species Act by not working with the two other federal agencies to
assess the effects on the declining populations of fish and plants.
"The
EPA has sat on the information that shows the pesticides are entering the
habitat of imperiled species," said Patty Clary, executive director of
Californians for Alternatives to Toxics.
"Because the EPA hasn't met for 10 years with the two agencies entrusted with protecting endangered species, all of the hundreds of plants and animals recognized as endangered in the last decade virtually have no protection," Clary said.
In recent years, environmental groups have been challenging the registrations of dozens of insecticides and herbicides. Critics cite studies by the U.S. Geological Survey, the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control board and academic institutions indicating that chemicals are killing small aquatic species in rivers and accumulating in fish and amphibians.
Laboratory studies show that some of the chemicals can produce tumors in mice, disrupt hormones and alter the sexual development of aquatic frogs. Some scientists warn that these damaging effects on small animals and wild plants also portend ill effects on humans.
Among those on the EPA's investigation list are diazinon, used on lettuce, almonds and plums; and chlorpyrifos, for apples, broccoli, citrus and walnuts. The weed killers include atrazine, used in forests, and glyphosate, or Round- Up, used in vineyards and tree crops.
E-mail Jane Kay at jkay@sfchronicle.com.
©2002 San Francisco Chronicle Page A - 20
Well Mr. Helliker, which of your "registered" POISONS is not "harmful"?
Respectfully, Stephen L. Tvedte
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