Aerial spray bill heads to governor's desk

Greater transparency in pesticide use – that’s the issue behind a new bill headed for the governor’s desk.
Widespread protests erupted earlier this year over the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) use of airborne pheromone sprays against the light brown apple moth (LBAM) in the Monterey/Santa Cruz area. In response, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger put additional spraying put on hold – and Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) to author legislation reforming the state’s process when considering aerial spray in urban areas.
AB 2765 aims to include the public in the planning process of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It requires the department to hold public hearings before spraying and to disclose elements of the spray to the public. It requires an evaluation of the human and environmental health effects of proposed aerial spray.The bill applies to any proposed aerial spraying in urban areas.
Assemblymember Huffman expressed concern that the public were not involved in the department’s decisions until they are ready to be imposed on their neighborhoods. “This bill is part of the effort to re-connect people and their government. We think the public needs to know what is proposed, what ingredients are in the spray, and what alternatives may be available, before spraying, not as an after-thought. We need to include affected communities in a public process.”
USDA spokesman Steve Lyle said he cannot comment on pending legislation. However he said the current USDA policy is to inform the people who will be affected, telling them when they’ll be in the area, what approach they’ll be using, what type of material will be involved and why the treatment is necessary. “Currently, when an area is determined to necessitate treatment we hold a public meeting in that area, send invitations and a notice and a package of materials delivered by first-class mail to every address in the treatment area.”
Supervisor Valerie Brown, responding via e-mail message from the convention in Denver, Thursday night, said, “I applaud Jared for recognizing that the public needs to be informed when something affects their lives as significantly as aerial spraying. We live in an environment that is trying hard to free itself of pesticides and chemicals that are harmful to our health. Kudos to Jared.”
AB 2765 is supported by a wide consortium of environmental groups including Pesticide Watch, Sierra Club, and Marin Organic as well as the agriculture community. The Governor has until the end of September to sign or veto the measure.