California DPR releases modifications to pesticide notification regulation

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) has released modifications to its proposed pesticide application notification regulation, which is geared to support a statewide system providing advance information on planned applications of restricted material pesticides used in agriculture.

Restricted materials, highly regulated due to their potential harm to people, animals, and the environment, require a county-issued permit for use and come with significant restrictions. The DPR seeks public comment on the proposed modifications through a 30-day public comment period and three public hearings scheduled for July 12, 15, and 23.

Following this public comment period, the DPR will finalize the regulation and system design, aiming for statewide implementation in early 2025. The proposed regulation would require the electronic submission of select information from Notices of Intent (NOIs) for permitted applications to the DPR, with this information made publicly available. NOIs must be submitted before any permitted application of a restricted material pesticide.

The DPR will provide information 48 hours before soil fumigations and 24 hours before other restricted material applications. NOIs are currently submitted to and approved by the local county agricultural commissioner before pesticide use.

Modifications to the regulation include annual reviews of the system and updates to various committees and the public until a comprehensive report is issued three years after implementation. Other changes clarify the reporting requirements and the information that will be made publicly available.

The public hearings will feature a presentation on the regulation, proposed modifications, and a system design overview. Hearings will be held in English with Spanish interpretation provided.

PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULE

Stanislaus County | July 12

The presentation will begin at 6 p.m. on July 12, 2024, and the hearing will run from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Carnegie Arts Center, Turlock.

Virtual Hearing | July 15

July 15, 2024, 6 p.m. presentation, 6:30-8:30 p.m. hearing via Zoom. Attendees can login using this link prior to the start of the hearing. Once participants log in they will be prompted to enter an email address to join. This is a Zoom requirement.* The link to join the meeting is available here.

Kern County | July 23

On July 23, the presentation will begin at 6 p.m., and the hearing will run from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Shafter Youth Center, Shafter.

Information on the proposed system is available on YouTube.

Written comments can be submitted online through the department’s public comment portal, by mail, or via email to dpr23003@cdpr.ca.gov from July 2 through August 1. For more information, visit the DPR’s website.