Bits and Pieces from the World of Pesticides

Organic Foods
With nearly 200,000 comments sent to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the USDA will be rewriting and reissuing new organic food regulations that should eliminate food irradiation, gene modified organisms and sewage sludge from use in and on foods with the organic label. Hooray!

Colorado Hemp Initiative Project
The DEA is taking comment on chemical herbicides to eradicate cannabis. (Affectionately known as Hemp or Mary Jane or marijuana.) For more information and updates see http://www.levellers.org/cannabis.html. The Draft Supplement to the Environmental Impact Statements for Cannabis Eradication in the Contiguous United States and Hawaii (DSEIS) is available online at : http:\\www.usdoj.jov/dea/programs/cannibis/pubmeet/fednoti.htm (note: the misspelling of cannabis is the DEA's, not ours.)

Maryland to Notify Parents about Pesticides
The State of Maryland passed landmark Pesticide Legislation to limit pesticide use and notify parents of pesticides used in schools.

Weed Summits
Colorado hosted 2 weed summits in April. One focused on Colorado concerns. The second one held for federal public lands managers nationwide looked at weed science and how public lands managers can best deal with weed problems. Secretary of Interior Bruce Babitt said he would talk to President Clinton about issuing a national weed management policy statement. This may appear in the next few months.

Tordon By Air
Both Lakewood Parks and the Dept of Energy (Rocky Flats) are considering helicopter application of Tordon for knapweeds on their properties in the future. If you live in either of those areas and are concerned, call Angela at (303) 433-2608 to learn more.

Weed Grants
The state of Colorado's Dept of Agriculture has awarded more than 15 grants totalling $225,000 for weed projects throughout the state. Number of partners involved and the use of a variety of weed management approaches were considered in the awarding process. One of the grants went to Jefferson County for knapweed control in and near the Rocky Flats site. To receive a grant for 1999 contact Eric Lane, Weed Coordinator at CDA (303) 239-4182 for more information.

Pesticide Problems?
Feel free to call Angela at (303) 433-2608 if you have a concern or problem with a pesticide. The Colorado Dept of Agriculture accepts complaints from the public if commercial applicators or commercial firms are involved. Any state, county or municipal applicator using a restricted use pesticide should be registered with the Dept of Ag.

Leave No Weeds

(How recreationists can reduce the spread of weeds in the backcountry)

by Andy Kulla, USFS Nola National Forest, MT

Rid camping gear, boots and clothing of mud and seed before each trip and at every campsite.
Regularly check your clothes and equipment for weed seeds. - Use and pack only certified weed seed free feeds.
Feed stock certified weed free feed for 3 to 4 days before a pack trip.
Brush animals before and after backcountry trips to remove weed seed.
Wash your rig, bikes, and recreational vehicles BEFORE and AFTER each outing.
Stay on established roads and trails.
Camp only at established or designated campsites.
Avoid camping in or hiking through weed infested areas.
Avoid soil disturbing activities and practices.Pull and pack out weeds whenever possible
Learn to identify weeds in the areas you like to recreate.
Bag or burn any weed seed you find.
Pull small infestations of non-rhisomatous weeds (always wear gloves).
Be careful not to spread weed seed if you pack it out.