Vermont wants to restrict pesticide use to better protect the environment, public health, and public health.
The June updates would require commercial pesticide applicationto notify all landowners and joint owners of pesticideuse on their properties. It also provides a process for granting permission to people to control invasive species on property that they do not own.
The amendments are the first since the regulations were put in place 31 years ago, and updating them ensures the rules are in line with current Environmental Protection Agencyguidance,according to Dave Huber, deputy director of Vermont’s Agency of Agriculture.
Huber stated, “The hope is that by strengthening something which’s already been an effective rule, we can further protect Vermonters.”
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Proposed changes
- Companies that spray pesticides to adult mosquitoes will need a permit. Previously, a permit was only required for the use larvicide, which is a pesticide applied to water.
- A new permit program would allow permission to remove invasive plants (e.g. phragmites) from another’s property.
- Condo owners would include their joint property owners in the discussion about when and how pesticides will affect the property they share.
- In accordance with EPA requirements there will be stricter storage requirements applicable to commercial entities that keep and apply pesticides.
Huber stated that the amendments to Vermont’s pesticide regulation were prompted by EPA requirements. However, the other amendments were made to improve Vermont’s overall health.
“Perhaps the EPA mandates should be incorporated. Why not improve Vermont’s quality of life when dealing with pesticides?” Huber stated. Huber said, “It seems like it’d be a win-win situation for both the regulated community and the general public.”
Exposure to pesticides can cause irritation to skin and eyes and can even cause damage to the nervous system. It all depends on the pesticide used. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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Some species may also be endangered by pesticides.
Habitat destruction and the use of DDTpesticides have both put at risk Bald Eagles. After years of restoration work, the Vermont endangered list was just recently removed.
The Agency of Agriculture will hold an online public hearing for the regulations at 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, June 15, with the deadline for comment submissions being the Thursday, June 23.
Visit the following website to learn more or access the hearing.agriculture.vermont.gov.
Summer Sorg is a reporter at the Burlington Free Press. Contact her at [email protected].
