Toxic Releases in California: Industrial Facility Releases vs. Pesticide Use (1991-2000)

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Toxic Releases in California Industrial
Facility Releases vs. Pesticide Use (1991-2000)
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California Pesticide Use (1999)
Source Pesticide Action Network
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Courtesy USDA NRCS
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Pesticides Degrade Aquatic Habitat

• Over 500 miles of rivers and streams and most of
  the delta in the Central Valley are officially
  listed as being impaired by agricultural
  pesticides.
• Analysis of DPR Pesticide Monitoring Database
• Eighty-six pesticides were detected at least
  once.
• Pesticides were detected in nearly 8,500 samples
  (9 of all samples).
• Pesticides were detected in 128 of the 133 (96)
  locations tested.
• 51 of all positive detections exceeded criteria
  for aquatic health or drinking water standards

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Pesticides Degrade Drinking Water

• Pesticides have been detected in drinking water
  of 2.4 million Californians (1989-1999)
• Banned pesticides (DBCP EDB) continue to appear
  in drinking supplies above allowable standards
• Only 27 pesticides are regulated as drinking
  water contaminants
• 12,000 exceedences of public health goals
  (1989-1999)

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Source San Francisco Estuary Projects State of
the Estuary Restoration Primer
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How Ag Discharges Have (not) Been Regulated in
California
1974 - Agricultural runoff and irrigation return
flows exempted from the Federal Clean Water
Act 1982 - Ag runoff and irrigation return flows
issued waiver from state clean water law 1988
California Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Plan
imposes voluntary regulatory system 1972 - 2001
Clean Water Act not applied to aquatic
pesticide discharges 1989 - 2001 Pesticides
ignored by the Bay Protection and Toxic Hotspots
Act
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Progress in Regulating Agricultural Discharges

• Pending California Regulations
• Other State Programs (Florida, Maryland,
  Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Ohio,
  Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin)
• TMDLs

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