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EPA warned of lawsuit over pesticides PDF Print E-mail
Written by Associated Press   
Friday, 29 January 2010 07:58
Pesticides(AP) — A conservation group plans to sue the federal government, claiming hundreds of protected animal species have been impacted because it has not evaluated or regulated nearly 400 pesticides.

The Center for Biological Diversity sent the Environmental Protection Agency a letter of intent to sue on Thursday. It says the agency violated the Endangered Species Act by not consulting with wildlife regulators about the pesticides' impacts on hundreds of endangered species.

The organization says as many as 887 species may be harmed, including the Florida panther, coho salmon and California condor.

If the EPA does not correct the alleged violations within 60 days, the group plans to file suit.

An EPA spokeswoman says it will review the letter, as well as the potential effects on protected species.

Pesticides are a key component of local farming operations. While statewide pesticide use fell 6% in 2008, Fresno and Kings counties bucked the trend with increases of 5% and 10%, respectively.

The figures released by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation show that 162 million pounds of pesticides were applied in state in 2008. Fresno County retained its position as the top pesticide user in the state with 27.5 million pounds applied, an increase of 5% over 2007. Kings County applications were 6.2 million in 2008, up 10% from 2007.

Tulare County applications fell 7% to 14.3 million in 2008, while Madera County applications fell 18%. 

Here's a breakdown by county:

• Fresno County, 27.5 million pounds in 2008 (26 million pounds in 2007), No. 1 in the state.

• Kings County, 6.2 million pounds in 2008 (5.6 million pounds in 2007), No. 9 in the state.

• Tulare County, 14.3 million pounds in 2008 (15.3 million pounds in 2007), No. 3 in the state.

• Madera County, 7.5 million pounds in 2008 (8.9 million pounds in 2007), No. 5 in the state.

Major crops and uses that showed an overall increase in applications included carrots, processing tomatoes, fresh market tomatoes, tangerines and public health purposes such as mosquito control. A decrease in pound applied was reported in wine grapes, table and raisin grapes, cotton, lumber and oranges, according to the state pesticide department, which tracks applications through farm reports.