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EPA Reinstates No-Spray Buffer Zones in California, Oregon and Washington to Protect Salmon as a Result of Final Settlement Agreement for Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides v. EPA

Posted by cdaniels | August 19, 2015

EPA is reinstating streamside no-spray buffer zones to protect endangered or threatened Pacific salmon and steelhead in California, Oregon and Washington State. No-spray buffer zones will be imposed for the pesticides carbaryl, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, malathion and methomyl in waters that support salmon. These buffer zones will remain in place until EPA implements any necessary protections for Pacific salmon and steelhead based on reinitiated consultations with the National Marine Fisheries Services.

This action is directed by a stipulated injunction (agreed to by the parties) that settles litigation brought against EPA by the Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides and others in U.S. District Court in Washington State. On August 15, 2014, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington entered the stipulated injunction, reinstating the streamside no-spray buffer zones that were originally established in prior litigation, Washington Toxics Coalition v. EPA. The reinstated buffers are part of the final court order; however, they will not be included as labeling requirements under Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

More information on the specific buffer zones and background on this court case is available on the EPA’s website.