wps highlights & areas for enhancement barbara barron, epa r8 jaslyn dobrahner, epa r8

WPS Highlights & Areas for Enhancement

Barbara Barron, EPA R8

Jaslyn Dobrahner, EPA R8

2006 Western Region Pesticide Mtg., Whitefish, MT

Background

• Direct implementation responsibilities in CO, WY, and Indian country– Share similar responsibilities of states/tribes with

delegated programs– Messages from stakeholders…

• Highlight successes• Suggest areas for enhancement

• Present new! WPS enforcement maps

2006 Western Region Pesticide Mtg., Whitefish, MT

North Dakota Dept. of AgricultureGerald Thompson

• WPS Inspections– ALL inspections linked to a pesticide application– ALL elements of the WPS are covered– Interviews are conducted with workers, handlers, and

managers– Include BOTH grower and commercial aspects– Reports are easy to read– Outreach is conducted on-site (How-to-Comply kits)

2006 Western Region Pesticide Mtg., Whitefish, MT

Pesticide Inspectors Check For:

• Central information area

• Notification of applications

• Safety training

• Verification of handler/worker training

• Personal protective equipment

• Decontamination supplies

• Retaliation

2006 Western Region Pesticide Mtg., Whitefish, MT

2005 WPS INSPECTIONS• 13 TOTAL TARGETED INSPECTIONS

• LARGE AND FAMILY FARMS

• 34 VIOLATIONS ISSUED

• ONE COMPLAINT FILED BY NEIGHBOR

– Workers were in the field while the farmer was spraying-about a 20 acre buffer-upwind

• $2250 fine-must attend a WPS training

• $2500 fine- must be in compliance-2006

2006 Western Region Pesticide Mtg., Whitefish, MT

2005 VIOLATIONS

• 6- NO PESTICIDE SAFETY TRAINING

• 7- CENTRAL POSTING DONE

• 4- NOTICE OF APPLICATION

• 3- REI VIOLATIONS

• 4- PPE VIOLATIONS

• 3- NO DECONTAMINATION SUPPLIES

• 3- NO INFORMATION EXCHANGE

• 3- NO EMERGENCY PLAN

2006 Western Region Pesticide Mtg., Whitefish, MT

California Department of Pesticide RegulationRegina Sarracino

• Enforcement Response Policy– Increase violation classifications

• Pesticide Incident Reimbursement Law– Non-occupational pesticide injuries

2006 Western Region Pesticide Mtg., Whitefish, MT

Idaho Dept. of AgricultureFred Rios

• Outreach and Compliance Program– Radio public service announcements (PSAs)– Bilingual yellow pages directory– Spanish flyers– WPS associate trainer

2006 Western Region Pesticide Mtg., Whitefish, MT

Public Service Announcement Campaign• 14 different versions were produced and recorded in

Spanish (WPS Requirements)

• PSAs began on April 3rd and will continue through September 30, 2006

KWEI 99.5 FM – Boise 300

Radio Fiesta 1420 AM – Idaho Falls 351

Radio Fiesta 1480 AM – Jerome 351

La Fantastica 970 AM – Rupert 351

La GranD 101.9 FM – Nampa 240

Total Number of Spots: 1,593

Grand Total: $ 13,961.88

2006 Western Region Pesticide Mtg., Whitefish, MT

• Yellow Pages Directory (Bilingual)

– 60,000 copies distributed throughout the state: $ 3,390.00

• 2000 Flyers were developed and are being distributed during training sessions, outreach activities and placed at different businesses and state agencies

PSA Outreach Campaign

2006 Western Region Pesticide Mtg., Whitefish, MT

WPS Trainer Associate • Part-time Trainer Associate – Middle of May - Middle of

September• Conduct training for agricultural workers / pesticide handlers• Conduct WPS outreach activities – agricultural workers, agricultural

employers (special emphasis on labor contractors)• Network with migrant health clinics, farm worker labor camps, Idaho

Legal Aid, Idaho Migrant Council, District Health Offices, and the Idaho Community Action Network

• Distribution of WPS materials such as videos, how to comply manuals, pesticide safety posters, flyers, etc.

• Attending migrant seasonal farm worker meetings

2006 Western Region Pesticide Mtg., Whitefish, MT

WPS training / Outreach

• Replaced PPE – Training 1,919.46• 300 Pesticide Safety Videos 3,061.00• 6 month-PSA Campaign 13,961.88• Bilingual Yellow Pages Directory 3,390.00• 2000 Spanish Flyers 100.00• 150 HTC – Gempler’s 649.90• Audio equipment / other 397.76• WPS Associate Trainer 13,520.00

»Total: 37,000.00

2006 Western Region Pesticide Mtg., Whitefish, MT

Areas for EnhancementDavid Golden, FIFRA Inspector, US EPA, Region 8

• Write a detailed narrative

• Link all WPS inspections to a particular pesticide application

• Verify information conveyed from one source by obtaining a second opinion

2006 Western Region Pesticide Mtg., Whitefish, MT

WPS Enforcement MapsKaren Edson, Environmental Intern Program, Region 8

• Original maps created in 2003 by Region 9 (using 2002 data)

• Maps depict WPS enforcement response, number of WPS inspections, hired farm workers by state

• Updated maps for 2003, 2004, 2005

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2006 Western Region Pesticide Mtg., Whitefish, MT

Questions….

Contact information for all speakers is available on the WRPM website.

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