Carmenlita Chief, Pesticide Environmental Specialist
Africa Dorame-Avalos, Environmental Specialist
Elaine Wilson, Environmental Quality Programs Director
PROJECT PERIOD:
October 1, 2008 to September 30, 2010
FUNDING SOURCES:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX, Pesticide Section
PURPOSE:
The purpose of the Pesticide Enforcement Program is to provide tribes with operating funds to develop and implement pesticide regulatory programs on tribal lands where significant amounts of pesticide use take place. Tribes are provided technical assistance by ITCA staff in monitoring the manufacture, distribution, sale, storage, disposal and application of pesticides in accordance with tribal and federal pesticide codes. Many of the pesticide enforcement program components are also available to tribes without ITCA/EPA assistance agreements.
WORKPLAN OBJECTIVES:
Training And On-Site Technical Assistance: Program staff will provide training and on-site technical assistance to all tribal pesticide programs. Assistance will range from education and outreach to inspection or investigation of pesticide misuse.
Review And Update Tribal Inspection Forms: Program staff will provide review and update tribal inspection forms, program documents and discuss adequacy of all forms with tribal inspectors. Program staff will also provide review inspection techniques, use of logbooks and tracking of tips and complaints. Staff will review and provide feedback to inspectors as necessary.
Awareness Of Potential Pesticide-Related Exposure: Program staff will provide assistance to tribal inspectors when they meet with tribal health care providers and other health related professionals to provide an awareness of potential pesticide-related exposure or illnesses that may affect community members.
On-Site Compliance Inspection Assistance: Program staff will provide on-site compliance assistance to all tribal pesticide programs. Assistance will range from conducting inspections on marketplaces, Indian Health Service facilities, schools, and other facility storage areas
SPECIFIC TRAINING AVAILABLE TO TRIBAL COMMUNITIES:
Pesticide Inspectors Training: This training session will provide tribal pesticide inspectors the opportunity to receive and exchange information on current pesticide issues, share field experiences, and receive training on various topics ranging from pesticide inspection procedures, sampling, report writing, etc. The Pesticide Inspectors Training is scheduled semi-annually, once in the spring and once in the fall.
PESTICIDE WORKING GROUP:
The Tribal Pesticide Program Council (TPPC) is a national tribal technical resource workgroup that focuses on pesticide issues and concerns. The TPPC assists tribes in building tribal pesticide programs, providing pesticide education, research and training. Meetings focus on addressing national and regional pesticide issues that impact Indian Country. The TPPC also serves as a forum for tribes to address program needs directly to U.S. EPA Headquarters personnel. The workgroup meets bi-annually in March and October.
CONTACT INFORMATON:
If you would like additional information on the ITCA Pesticide Program or the TPPC, please contact Carmenlita Chief, Pesticide Environmental Specialist or Elaine Wilson, Environmental Quality Programs Director, at (602) 258-4822.
