Activists call for pesticide notification expansion; supervisors keep program as is

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION) Despite calls to expand a pesticide notification pilot program, the Monterey County board of supervisors has decided to keep the program as it is. The program notifies parents when pesticides are sprayed near their children’s school, but it only applies to a limited number of schools.

 Activists are hoping that the supervisors will reconsider their decision.

Hektor Calderon with the group Safe Ag, Safe Schools, said that some people in other areas that aren't part of the program only know there are pesticides being sprayed in their community when they hear the helicopters.

“That’s kind of their notification or alert system that something is being 
sprayed or applied near them which shouldn’t be the case,” Calderon said.

The group thinks that this kind of information should be more widely available before the fumigants are sprayed. In addition to expanding the school pilot program, they also asked the board to post growers' notices of intent to spray on the Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner's website.

“Community members who do have children and are concerned about pesticides have been wanting to know that information and deserve to know that information,” Calderon said.

Currently, families in 10 schools can sign up for notifications alerting 
them when pesticides are being sprayed within a quarter mile of some areas of the North Monterey County and Pajaro Valley school districts.

Commissioner Henry Gonzales said about 160 people have applied for  email alerts but there’s not enough interest to expand at a board meeting Tuesday. And some supervisors agree.

“Looking at the numbers, we’re not there yet. It’s not ready for a rollout 
with only a couple hundred local visits to the website,” Supervisor Chris Lopez said.

“I’m out in the district where these are being applied but I haven’t seen 
the concern. I’ve heard from a few activists but I haven’t seen the concern,” Supervisor John Phillips said.

Supervisor Jane Parker was the only no vote, as she wanted the program 
expanded further.

“We’ve heard from community members, and frankly I’m one. I live in Marina which in the morning is down wind from fields that may be being fumigated but I don’t know it so I think it’s just a broader issue than just the schools,” Parker said.

Some supervisors also expressed concerns over resources and funding to 
expand the program.

Gonzales said the pesticides can only be sprayed on Saturdays now due to 
state regulations.

Despite the board's decision, the website will still be up for families to visit and sign up to be alerted when pesticides are used, but the board doesn't plan to expand at this time.