Lawmakers fund stepped-up Oregon pesticides program

TheOregon Department of Agriculture’s Pesticides Program finds itself in a muchstronger position to address issues and concerns from the public while workingproactively with pesticideapplicators to prevent problems in the first place, the agency said Monday

The newly enhanced program comes courtesy of the 2015 state Legislature and an added $2 million in funding. It includes four new pesticide investigators, an additional case reviewer, a newlycreatedcitizens advocate position, and a hotline that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“Inrecent years, there has been greater awareness of pesticide use practices inOregon,” says Dale Mitchell, manager of ODA’s Pesticides Program. “The newresources for our program is a sign from the Legislature and the citizens ofOregon that pesticide use activities and the compliance of regulations is avery important focus.”

Oneof the more hotly debated issues of last year’s legislative session was aerialapplication of pesticides. As a result of extensive legislative discussion toaddress laws pertaining to aerial application, ODA endedup with additionalresources in its Pesticides Program, all paid for by fee increases on pesticideproduct registration. HB 3549 addressed a number of pesticide related issues.

In addition to the newly budgeted ODApositions, the bill established newlicensing requirements for aerial pesticide applicators and the establishment ofthe 24-hour telephone hotline to handle pesticide complaints and concerns.

Thefour new pesticide investigators join the nine that have been workingtirelessly to respond to an increasing workload the past several years. As aresult, ODA will now be able to increase its routinemonitoring of pesticideapplicators as well as handling complaints.

“Thiswill provide for a quicker response to complaints and inquiries, and greater opportunitiesto educate and ensure that pesticide applicators are in compliance with thelaw,” says Mitchell.

Theterm used within the program is “compliance assistance.” Mitchell sees it as away to keep problems from ever happening.

“Wewant the staff to be out there on the ground interacting with the industry aspesticide applications are occurring. In that mode, we are able to actuallyprevent violations, through compliance assistance, insteadof simply respondingto a complaint after the fact. We hope these additional resources, whileworking with applicators in a more proactive and real time situation, will bemore beneficial from a prevention standpoint.”

Theextra investigators will reduce the heavy workload that had fallen on theshoulders of the existing team. That should lead to a more timely pesticide investigationand resolution of the matter that is expedientas possible.

Thenew citizens advocate position has been filled with the hiring of ChristinaHigby. Her primary job will be a point of contact for people who feel they’vebeen impacted by pesticide application activities.Technically, the position ispart of the Pesticide Analytical and Response Center (PARC)– a multi-agency groupwhich coordinates investigations to collect and analyze information aboutreported pesticide incidents. Theagencies, which include ODA, the OregonHealth Authority, and six other members, conduct most of the investigations andtake any necessary enforcement action.

Thecreation of the position is a response to concerns that citizens and otherinterested parties don’t always have a good way to access information about aninvestigation resulting from a complaint. The citizensadvocate can providethat two-way communication.

“Ourinvestigations can take months to complete,” says Mitchell. “The citizensadvocate will be a liaison for the public to understand the investigativeprocess, for checking in periodically for status updates, andto make sure thatinformation is flowing back to individuals or concerned communities regardingpesticide issues. The advocate will also proactively provide outreach andeducation to certain groups of citizensconcerned about pesticides. It isimportant for Oregonians to know, even before an incident takes place, how thestate responds to pesticide use complaints and concerns, what resources areavailable to them, and how theprocess works.”

Quiteoften, complaints or concerns about pesticide applications have been reportedafter hours or on weekends. Oregonians involved in pesticide incidentsimpacting people, animals, or the environment can nowreport those incidents toa telephone hotline 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

Oregonians calling2-1-1 are immediately offered a menu of choices which includes options forreporting pesticide incidents or askingfor pesticide information. At thatpoint, they are connected to a person. Callers asking for information arereferred to appropriate agencies and organizations. Callers involved inpesticide incidents will be asked toprovide basic information. Within one hourof completion of the call, all information recorded by 2-1-1 will be forwardedto PARC for further referral and response within one business day.

“Thenew hotline helps ensure the public’s concerns are addressed in a timelymanner,” says Mitchell.

Lastyear’s legislation also directs ODA to establish a new license category foraerial pesticide applicators, which includes the creation of a new examination,specific to those applicators, that is designed toensure awareness of safe andproper application practices.

“Thenew exam goes into effect January 2017 ,” says Mitchell. “We are currentlyworking on that exam and the study materials that go along with it. We are alsoworking with the applicator industry to provideoutreach and education solicensees are aware of the new requirements.”

ODA’sMitchell is pleased that the Oregon Legislature recognized an area of need forthe agency.

“Withthese increased resources, I am confident that we will be able to address thepublic’s concerns and enhance the regulatory oversight of pesticide use inOregon.”