Kathy Brunetti, California Dept. of Pesticide Regulation
brunetti@empm.cdpr.ca.gov
Date: September 25, 1996
Media Contact: Veda Federighi (916) 445-3974
GRANT MONEY AVAILABLE TO FUND NEW PEST MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES
SACRAMENTO -- Cal/EPA's Department of Pesticide Regulation is taking
applications for nearly $600,000 in grants to help groups develop
innovative pest management practices that reduce the risks associated with
pesticide use.
There is $500,000 available for projects in agricultural pest management,
and $85,000 for nonagricultural pest management projects. Most of the grant
funding comes from a license surcharge on produce brokers and food
processors. Proposals are due November 27, and grants of $10,000 to $30,000
will be awarded early in 1997.
"We are committed to encouraging voluntary, community-based, pollution
prevention programs that use a reduced-risk approach to pest management
problems," said Jean-Mari Peltier, DPR Chief Deputy Director. "We want to
help groups of innovators work with university researchers, private
industry, and consultants to set up demonstration projects of new
integrated pest management systems."
Integrated pest management (IPM) is an approach to pest control that
stresses the application of biological, mechanical, and cultural pest
control techniques. Pesticides are used only when necessary to achieve
acceptable levels of control with the least possible harm to nontarget
organisms and the environment.
"We hope to receive applications for a wide variety of projects," Peltier
said. However, she added that the focus will be on four areas where new
pest management approaches are critically needed:
* Pest management projects that address the protection of surface and
ground water quality.
* Integrated management of major mite and insect pests that are a problem
in multiple commodities.
* Integrated crop disease management.
* IPM programs in structural, ornamental, and other nonagricultural sectors.
Grant proposals will be reviewed by the state's Pest Management Advisory
Committee, established in 1992 by DPR and the California Department of Food
and Agriculture. The committee, which will make recommendations to DPR on
which projects to fund, includes representatives of all aspects of
agricultural production--from those who practice traditional
chemical-intensive crop protection techniques to organic farmers,
government regulators, environmental groups active in the pesticide arena,
university representatives and others knowledgeable about pest management.
For information on the grants program or a copy of the request for
proposals, contact: Dr. Jenny Broome, Environmental Monitoring and Pest
Management Branch, Department of Pesticide Regulation, 1020 N Street, Room
161, Sacramento 95814-5624, phone 916/324-4100, E-mail jbroome@cdpr.ca.gov.
The request for proposals is also available on DPR's Internet Web page
(www.cdpr.ca.gov). #