Pacific Northwest and California freshwater resources are key elements in the life history and ecology of Pacific salmonid species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Among all risk factors to fitness and survival, water quality degradation is a major concern, including the impact of pesticide use within watersheds that comprise critical habitat.  Pesticide risks are investigated by evaluating the spatial and temporal co-occurrence of salmonids, their food web, and pesticide concentrations that may elicit adverse effects. Understanding the potential for co-occurrence requires knowledge of pesticide use patterns and application methods, pesticide properties that influence environmental fate, as well as landscape/land management, edaphic, and climatic factors that influence off-site movement into surface water.  Current lack of understanding of the relationship between landscape scale pesticide use practices and surface water loading compels federal and state agencies to use conservative assumptions in formulating risk management strategies for the protection of ESA listed salmonids, and has resulted in policies that primarily address the possibility, rather than probability, of harm. Ultimately, reducing uncertainty will be required to allow policies that provide reasoned guidance in support of pesticide use practices that effectively balance pest management and environmental protection goals.<br/>We present an example technical assistance project using spatial analysis and participatory modeling to evaluate the relationship between pesticide use practices and surface water loading in Oregon watersheds that comprise critical habitat for ESA listed salmonids. We propose that application of emerging technologies can significantly reduce uncertainty and serve as a resource for the development of a framework for engaging technical resource personnel and stakeholders in the evaluation of alternative integrated pest management and pesticide best management practices, and in the long term demonstrate that a systems approach to the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices can achieve surface water protection goals.

Pesticide use in the Pacific Northwest: Enabling compliance with the Endangered Species Act

2019 Fall National Meeting

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