- We the People need to know the effects prior to the use of aquatic pesticides application on:
- The ecosystem to which the pesticide will be applied
- Surrounding habitats, especially those which are critical to the survival of wildlife
- Water supply
- Pets and humans that may be exposed to the pesticide, through contact including but not limited to: bathing, swimming, and consumption (drinking).
We the undersigned, in the interest of Lake Tahoe and affected rivers and municipal water supplies it may feed and with concerns regarding the safety of the use of pesticides that are proposed in: the Amendment to the Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region to replace the Regionwide Pesticide Water Quality Objectives with a Regionwide Waste Discharge Prohibition on Pesticides with Exemption Criteria for Aquatic Pesticide Application and Certification of Substitute Environmental Documentation and/or amendments that propose such action, state that:
* We the undersigned know that Lake Tahoe is a unique water system and natural environmental area serving residents and tourists and ask the California State Water Resources Board to maintain existing Regionwide Pesticide Water Quality Standards for the Lahontan Region which states:
“Pesticide concentrations, individually or collectively, shall not exceed the lowest detectable levels, using the most recent detection procedures available. There shall not be an increase in pesticide concentrations found in bottom sediments. There shall be no detectable increase in bioaccumulation of pesticides in aquatic life.”
However if the State Board sees fit to pass the amendment that would allow the use of aquatic pesticides in the Lahontan Region which includes Lake Tahoe we the undersigned request:
* We the undersigned need to ensure that Lake Tahoe maintains its’ unique world reputation of environmental beauty and its’ attraction for tourism, therefore, we need to know the exact consequence of any plan of action before it is approved and implemented.
* For each proposed project regarding the use of pesticides we the undersigned need to know the effects of aquatic pesticides application on:
- The ecosystem to which the pesticide will be applied
- Surrounding habitats, especially those which are critical to the survival of wildlife
- Water supply
- Pets and humans that may be exposed to the pesticide, through contact including but not limited to: bathing, swimming, and consumption (drinking).
* We the undersigned need to know how any aquatic pesticides being considered for use in proposed projects will break down in the environment; the chemical makeup of these pesticides; residence time of the pesticides the aquatic system; the bioaccumulation of the pesticide; and the temporal and spatial effects of any pesticide applied.
* We the undersigned need to know for each project proposing the use of aquatic herbicides where applied herbicides will be transported due to the flow and movement of water, so that we can anticipate which regions of the lake may be affected by pesticide application.
* We the undersigned need to know the impact that any change in water quality resulting from the application of aquatic pesticides may have on tributaries from the lake which provide water to surrounding counties.
* We the undersigned need to know the estimated affected population and fiscal impact from the use of the aquatic pesticides if the lake and/or drinking water sources are contaminated. Additionally, we request studies of financial impacts for the infestations if no action is taken, along with the financial impacts of projects proposing the use of pesticides which include the monetary effects of associated risks to surrounding areas for the duration of the project and/or residence time of the proposed pesticide.
The aforementioned questions and statements along with your interest, participation and or support can assist us in getting answers to protecting the waters of Lake Tahoe and its’ surrounding regions.
