Pilot will propose pesticide mitigation measures for non-residential outdoor uses

Through EPA’s Vulnerable Species Pilot, the agency has identified an initial set of “pilot” listed species and is proposing pesticide mitigation measures designed to reduce the pilot species’ exposures to conventional pesticides from non-residential outdoor uses of those pesticides. According to the EPA, these twenty-seven pilot species are particularly vulnerable to the potential effects of pesticides due to a combination of factors including a limited geographic range, small population size, and general susceptibility to environmental stressors where the effects to even a small number of individuals may be highly impactful to populations or the entire species.

To proactively address this situation, the Vulnerable Species Pilot focuses on implementing early protections for multiple types of registered pesticides (e.g., insecticides, herbicides) to protect the pilot species. It will establish Pesticide Use Limitations Areas (PULAs). PULAs are spatial files that allow users to determine if their intended pesticide or herbicide application falls within a location where additional restrictions or mitigations are necessary to protect listed species or their designated critical habitat.

In some cases, these restrictions will completely ban the use of all pesticides or herbicides and in others, it will enforce strict mitigations (potentially based on the use of state BMP guides). GCSAA is working with the EPA to make sure these potential mitigations are workable for golf facilities (as opposed to using agricultural BMPs).

Pesticide users will be able to identify species and restrictions/mitigations through directions on the pesticide label that will direct users to the online portal Bulletins Live.

The EPA has indicated the pilot project could be implemented as early as Spring of 2024, but lawsuits are likely to be filed to block the implementation. GCSAA will continue to work closely with the EPA on the pilot project as well as determining next steps for the golf industry. A comprehensive webinar on the EPA/ESA is available on GCSAA's Learning Hub. Education points are available for members viewing the webinar. More information will be forthcoming from GCSAA as well as from your local chapter.

Thank you for your continued support of GCSAA and I hope you all have a great holiday season. I look forward to seeing you at the chapter events scheduled for early 2024.