Commonly Used Pesticides Threaten Survival Of Pacific Salmon

SEATTLE — Federal biologists say three pesticides commonly used by farmers threaten the survival of many Pacific salmon and steelhead listed as threatened or endangered species in the West.

The National Marine Fisheries Service said Tuesday it is recommending labeling restrictions, buffer zones between fish habitat and areas that are sprayed, and a ban on using the pesticides in windy weather.

The pesticides are carbaryl, marketed as Sevin and used in flea treatments and lawn care among other things; carbofuran, marketed as Furadan, and methomyl, sold under brand names including Lannate.

The Environmental Protection Agency has a year to draw up new guidelines. The restrictions would apply to pesticide use in Oregon, Idaho, California and Washington.

Comments

[colorperdaughter]

06:21 PM on 04/22/2009

Last night Frontline presented a two hour program on the poisoning of waterways, half of the show was dedicated to the Puget Sound/Seattle region. Was excellent, run off is also killing the ORCAS. No lawn is worth killing anything.