Pesticides Program...

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) were awarded an $110,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2007 to establish and enhance a Pesticides Program on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Ms. Willie Keenan was hired and has been trained to conduct Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) inspections and perform outreach activities on behalf of EPA through an agreement with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

In September 2007 the Blackfeet Tribe signed a Memorandum of Agreement to participate in EPA, Region 8 Pesticide Tribal Circuit Rider program. The Blackfeet Nation agreed to participate and allow the Circuit Rider to conduct Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) inspections and provide compliance and technical assistance on behalf of the EPA in Indian Country.

The Tribal Pesticide Circuit Rider Program is a cooperative effort by the U.S. E.P.A., Region 8 and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes to implement the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) in Indian Country. FIFRA is the national law that regulates pesticides and their use.

Circuit Rider Role

• Conduct inspections of pesticide applicators on the Flathead and Blackfeet Reservations to ensure the safe and proper use of pesticide products.
• Provide information and training to pesticide applicators, the general public, and the Blackfeet and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes on the safe or reduced use of pesticides to protect water quality, human health, and endangered species.
• Circuit Rider will use EPA’s inspection authority and EPA-issued credentials to conduct inspections on behalf of EPA

Compliance Monitoring

Use Inspections: Pesticide use inspections consist of ensuring that the applicator is following all label requirements, including applicator certification requirements and Worker Protections Standards when applicable. Use inspections are subdivided into two categories: agricultural use inspections and non-agricultural use inspections. Agricultural use inspections involve the inspection of pesticide applications in conjunction with the production of agricultural commodities (plants or animals) while non-agricultural inspections involve non-agricultural pesticide applications.

For Cause Inspections: For cause inspections are initiated in response to a complaint, damage report, referral or tip. For cause inspections are also subdivided into agricultural and non-agricultural categories.

Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP) Dealer Records Inspection: A RUP dealer inspection is conducted on-site at a dealer who sells RUPs. The purpose of such inspections is to determine if the dealer is maintaining the required records and to determine if RUPs are being sold exclusively to certified applicators or other properly authorized persons.

Certified Commercial Applicator Records Inspection: A certified commercial applicator records inspection is normally conducted at the certified applicator’s place of business. The purpose of such inspection is to determine if the applicator is properly certified, is maintaining the required records, and is complying with the applicable laws and regulations.

Marketplace Inspection: A marketplace inspection is an inspection conducted at the retail or wholesale level for the purpose of determining product registration status, proper storage and display, labeling violations and product composition.

Producer Establishment Inspection: A producer establishment inspection is an inspection of an establishment where pesticides or devices are produced and held for distribution or sale. The purpose of such inspection is to determine if the producer is maintaining the appropriate records, producing only registered pesticides and using accepted labeling.

The circuit rider will notify EPA Region 8 within one week of the discovery of any suspected violations of FIFRA and will forward the inspection file to EPA for any appropriate enforcement response. EPA Region 8 will review the inspection file provided by the circuit rider, determine if there are FIFRA violations and, if appropriate, and initiate enforcement action.

Pesticide Labels

The pesticide label provides valuable information about proper handling and use of the pesticide, potential risks the pesticide may pose to humans, animals, plants and the environment, and instructions on how to minimize or avoid those risk. Every person who applies pesticides has the responsibility to read and follow the label information so no harm results from handling pesticides from the time of purchase through ultimate use or disposal.

Before you buy a pesticide, read the label to determine these basics:

• Where the pesticide can and cannot be applied
• If the pesticide will control the pest or pests
• If the pesticide can be applied safely and legally under the application conditions
• Necessary application and safety equipment
• Amount of pesticide needed for the application (buy only the amount needed)
• Relevant restrictions for use of the pesticide

Pesticide labels are legal documents. Except where otherwise allowed by law, the applicator must conform with all label instructions. The most common violations of pesticide law involve use inconsistent with the label.

Source: http://agr.wa.gov/PestFert/Pesticides/ComplianceActivities.htm#PesticideLabels