EQIP Offers
Incentives To Adopt IPM:
The Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) is
offering financial assistance to Washington Orchardists
for integrated pest management practices such as mating
disruption, use of reduced risk pesticides, and low
volume tower sprayers starting 2008. New and past
applicants are encouraged to apply, since new practices
and payments are being offered. Keep in mind the
application deadline is quickly approaching. In
addition, the ranking process has changed to favor
applications that include integrated pest management as
a major component. For more information on how and
where to apply, visit the website
http://www.treefruitresearch.com/ or
contact Naná
Simone at 509-667-9557. The application
deadline is November 2nd.
State of Oregon
Waterway Buffer Zones:
Effective February 4th 2004, a federal judge ordered
application buffer zones must be met on specific
waterways in the state of Oregon. This order was
not limited to just agricultural applications, but all
use locations are subject to buffer zones.
Originally 54 active ingredients had buffer
requirements. Today, 26 of those remain on the
list. The following are sources to learn more
about buffer zones in Oregon, to see what is new for
2005, and to find out if your ranch is affected.
The site
www.streamnet.org pertains to buffers related to
steelhead, chinook, coho, and chum salmon. To find
waterways that are affected by the buffers refer to
Oregon State
Dept of Ag. You can also find waterways
subject to buffers on the
EPA's site.
Voluntary
Notification Project:
As Directed by the 2007 legislature, the Washington
State Department of Agriculture is beginning a two year
Voluntary Notification Study Project concerning the
application of "Danger/Poison" pesticides near schools,
hospitals, nursing homes and adult and child daycare
facilities.
This project will collect data to
determine if notification is a significant factor in
reducing pesticide exposures when agricultural
"Danger/Poison" pesticides are applied by aerial or
airblast application methods near these facilities.
The Study project will be limited to
Chelan, Kittitas and Yakima counties and will run from
October 1, 2007 to October 1, 2009.
Applicators are not required to notify
facilities but are strongly encouraged to do so.
Please see the WSDA website at
www.agr.wa.gov/PestFert/Pesticides/VoluntaryNotificationProject
or call (360) 902-2050 for further information.
|
