OCCA Partners with EPA on Responsible Pest Management

COOPERSTOWN, NY (05/26/2012)(readMedia)-- The Otsego County Conservation Association has joined the U.S. EPA's Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP), a voluntary program that forms partnerships with pesticide users to reduce the potential health and environmental risks associated with pesticide use.

By joining, OCCA has pledged that environmental stewardship is an integral part of pest management. IPM is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices.

"We are excited to be a member of PESP and partnering with EPA to promote environmentally responsible pest management," said OCCA Executive Director Darla M. Youngs.

"Ultimately OCCA advocates a pest management policy which is pesticide- and herbicide-free. With this goal in mind, we will continue to work to educate the public to encourage elimination of the use of harmful chemicals and to recommend alternative organic control strategies," Youngs said.

According to its Herbicide and Pesticide Use Position statement, OCCA opposes the wide spread use of pesticides and herbicides due to their harmful effect on the environment and supports limited use under the principles of integrated pest management (IPM) with the goal of moving toward organic methods of control. The improper use of these chemicals can result in elevated levels of harmful substances in the environment, having a detrimental effect on human and other animal life, as well plants. Run-off to streams and lakes and infiltration to groundwater can contaminate drinking water supplies.

"I want to take this opportunity to welcome OCCA as a member in the Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program. PESP is an exciting, voluntary program to reduce the risks from the use of pesticides. I am pleased that your company is taking a leadership role, along with our other members, in working with EPA on environmental stewardship," said EPA's Frank Ellis.

"Through PESP's Landscaping Initiative, OCCA will work with businesses, lawn care professionals, government agencies, and community organizations to reduce the application of pesticides and fertilizers," OCCA Program Director Travis Sauerwald said. "It is in the best interest of public health to introduce natural, organic management and cultural practices to prevent and, when necessary, address pest problems."

Last month, OCCA co-sponsored the showing of the film "A Chemical Reaction," which documents successful efforts by the Town of Hudson, Quebec to ban cosmetic use of pesticides and herbicides within town limits.

Otsego County's oldest environmental conservation organization, OCCA is a private, non-profit membership group dedicated to promoting the appreciation and sustainable use of Otsego County's natural resources through education, advocacy, resource management, research, and planning. For more information on organic lawn care versus chemical lawn care, see http://occainfo.org/documents/PesticideHandout.pdf to learn more about OCCA, visit www.occainfo.org.