Request for Information on Pesticide Applications Remaining in 2003 for California and the Pacific Northwest

Date: Friday, August 29, 2003
To: Rick Melnicoe
From: Burleson Smith, USDA
Subject: Request for Information on Pesticides Applications Remaining in 2003 for California and the Pacific Northwest

As a result of the Washington Toxics Case, 54 pesticides used in California and the Northwest will potentially receive additional buffer requirements for ground and aerial applications. I have attached a one-page summary listing the 54 active ingredients.

My question for you is to determine what crops are in the field that may still require one or more applications of these 54 active ingredients prior to the end of 2003. The judge has recognized that eliminating any sprays necessary to harvest a crop in the field could have devastating consequences on this year's crop, so he has agreed to take input from USDA regarding when to implement his order to impose spray setback buffers.

The areas affected are the Northern Coastal areas of California, Klamath, and most of Oregon, Washington and Idaho (Columbia/Snake River drainage areas and Oregon/Washington coasts). A map that was published in the Seattle Times is attached for your information.

Let me know how you would propose that we could go about getting this information by the end of next week.

Call me on my cell phone (202-215-2149) if you have any questions about this request.

Burleson Smith
United States Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue SW
202 Whitten Building
Washington DC 2020