Protect Oregon's Forestland and Rural Communities

Residents of Oregon’s rural Coastal Range have succeeded in petitioning EPA to hold a public comment period on the issue of spraying pesticides on forestry lands by helicopter. These pesticides are sprayed year after year on thousands of acres in Oregon. This practice puts communities at risk of exposure. It also contaminates the land, air and water.  

The petition-initiators, Pitchfork Rebellion, ask you to submit comments. Your comment will help change how pesticides are regulated. 
 
The petition asks for three things. Please respond to any or all of these items in your comment.
 
1. EPA must conduct a study of pesticide drift using data from the specific geography and weather patterns in the Western Oregon bio-region taking into account steep mountain slopes, unprotected tributaries to protected waterways that traverse the landscape, heavy rains, salmon and other wildlife habitat, updrafts, rural residences and delivery by helicopter.
 
2. Use administrative procedures to provide an interim one-mile buffer zone from aerial helicopter pesticide applications around schools and homes.
 
3. Commission a study on the influence of pesticide manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies on EPA pesticide registration decisions.
 
You can submit comments on-line or by post. 
 
Click here to submit comments online

Make sure to follow all instructions and identify the docket 
identification (ID) number [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0265; FRL-8822-8];
 
To mail in your comments:
Make sure you identify the docket identification (ID) number [EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0265; FRL-8822-8]
 
Send your written comments via US mail to:
Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP)
Regulatory Public Docket (7502P)
Environmental Protection Agency,
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC 20460-0001
 
The deadline is August 12!