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Fisheries Home » Protected Species » Conservation & Recovery » Consulting with Federal Agencies

Pesticide Consultations with EPA

Background

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has begun consultation with NMFS' Office of Protected Resources for re-registering 37 pesticide active ingredients.


ESA-Listed Pacific Northwest and CA Anadromous Salmonids Map:
28 Evolutionarily Significant Units

As part of a court settlement with the plaintiff, Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides (NCAP) [pdf], NMFS agreed to complete biological opinions for the 37 active ingredients, with final deadlines specified for different batches of pesticides (see schedule).

All opinions for these active ingredients are to be completed on or before June 30, 2013.

Biological Opinions

NMFS has completed five opinions addressing 27 active ingredients. Three (1-3) opinions consider organophosphate (OP) and carbamate insecticides. The fourth opinion (4) considers 4 herbicides and 2 fungicides. The fifth (5) opinion (5) considers 3 herbicides. The sixth (6) opinion considers thiobencarb.

  1. Thiobencarb
    On July 2, 2012, NMFS issued a final biological opinion concluding that EPA’s registration of herbicide thiobencarb is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of three listed Pacific salmonid Evolutionary Significant Units/Distinct Population Segments or adversely modify their designated critical habitat.

    We analyzed EPA’s registration of thiobencarb based on its authorized use on rice. California is the only state within the range of listed Pacific salmonids that has approved the use of thiobencarb, and use is only approved for rice. As a result, this biological opinion focuses on three listed Pacific salmon Evolutionary Significant Units/Distinct Population Segments located in California’s Central Valley where rice is grown. Re-initiation of this consultation will be necessary if thiobencarb is approved for use by other states with listed Pacific salmonids, or if thiobencarb use expands to any other parts of California within the range of listed Pacific salmonids.
  1. Oryzalin, pendimethalin, and Trifluralin
    On May 31, 2012, NMFS issued a final biological Opinion addressing the effects of dinitroanaline herbicides on listed Pacific salmonids.

    NMFS concluded that oryzalin, pendimethalin, and trifluralin are likely to jeopardize the continued existence of some listed Pacific salmonids, and adversely modify designated critical habitat of some listed salmonids.

  1. Captan, chlorothalonil, 2,4-D, diuron, linuron, and triclopyr BEE
    On June 30, 2011, NMFS issued a final biological opinion addressing the effects of four herbicides (2,4-D, triclopyr BEE, diuron, linuron) and two fungicides (captan, chlorothalonil) on listed Pacfic salmonids. NMFS's conclusions are that:
    • pesticide products containing 2,4-D are likely to jeopardize the continued existence of all ESUs/DPSs of listed Pacific salmonids and adversely modify designated critical habitat for some ESUs/DPSs
    • pesticide products containing chlorothalonil or diuron adversely modify designated critical habitat for some some ESUs/DPSs
    • pesticide products containing captan, linuron, or triclopyr BEE do not jeopardize the continued existence of any ESUs/DPSs of listed Pacific salmonids or adversely modify designated critical habitat
  1. Azinphos-methyl, Dimethoate, Disulfoton, Ethoprop, Fenamiphos, Methamidophos, Methidathion, Methyl parathion, Naled, Phorate, Phosmet, Bensulide [pdf]
    (August 2010)
    NMFS concluded that pesticide products containing Azinphos methyl, disulfoton,fenamiphos, methamidophos, or methyl parathion are not likely to jeopardize the continuing existence of any listed Pacific Salmon or destroy or adversely modify designated critical habitat.

    NMFS also concluded that the effects of products containing bensulide, dimethoate, ethoprop, methidathion, naled, phorate, or phosmet are likely to jeopardize the continued existence of some listed Pacific Salmonids and to destroy or adversely modify designated habitat of some listed salmonids.
  1. Carbaryl, Carbofuran, and Methomyl [pdf]
    (April 2009)
    NMFS concluded that pesticide products containing carbaryl, carbofuran, and methomyl are likely to jeopardize many populations of ESA-listed Pacific salmonids and destroy or adversely modify designated critical habitat. Response to the Opinion:
  1. Chlorpyrifos, Diazinon, and Malathion [pdf]
    (November 2008)
    These three chemicals are components of insecticides used in both agricultural and urban settings. The opinion concluded that these chemicals are likely to jeopardize 27 populations of salmon on the West Coast listed under the Endangered Species Act. Response to the Opinion: Litigation:

Correspondence Related to Pesticide Consultations Conducted Under this Settlement Agreement

Other Pesticide Consultations Activities

More Information on Pacific Salmonids

More Information on Pesticide Effects on Pacific Salmonids

Updated: July 20, 2012