![[logo] US EPA](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120925232815im_/http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Endangered Species Case - Washington Toxics Coalition v. EPA
You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.
Quick Resources
- EPA Seeks Input on NMFS' Draft Measures to Protect Endangered Pacific Salmon from 12 Pesticides
- NMFS April 20, 2009, Final Biological Opinion under the Endangered Species Act, Issued for Carbofuran, Carbaryl and Methomyl (PDF) (609 pp, 11.87MB)
- EPA Plans New Use Limitations on Carbaryl, Carbofuran, and Methomyl to Protect Salmon and Steelhead in California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington (PDF) (20 pp, 888.73k, about PDF)
- Manufacturers Decline to Adopt Pesticide Use Limitations to Protect Endangered Species (PDF) (3 pp, 163k)
- EPA Gives Pesticide Manufacturers Two Weeks to Commit to Modifications to Protect Endangered Species (PDF) (5pp, 100KB)
- NMFS November 18, 2008, Final Biological Opinion under the Endangered Species Act, Issued for Chlorpyrifos, Diazinon, and Malathion (PDF) (484 pp, 11.04MB)
- NMFS July 31, 2008 Draft Biological Opinions under the Endangered Species Act, Issued For Chlorpyrifos, Diazinon, and Malathion (PDF) (381 pp, 10.40MB)
EPA September 15, 2008, response to NMFS July 31, 2008 Draft Biological Opinion (PDF) (6 pp, 458K)
- NMFS March 18, 2009 Draft Biological Opinions under the Endangered Species Act, Issued For Carbaryl, Carbofuran, and Methomyl (PDF) (608 pp, 11.38MB)
EPA April 10, 2009, Response to NMFS March 18, 2009 Draft Biological Opinion (PDF) (10 pp, 720K)
- Questions and Answers about the specific buffers imposed.
- Point of Sale Notification
- Court Ordered Buffers Around Salmon-Supporting Waters
September 11, 2009, Press Release: New Limitations on Pesticide Uses Will Protect Salmon
EPA September 10, 2009, Response to NMFS November 18, 2008, Final Biological Opinion (PDF) (21 pp, 333K)
Under the Endangered Species Act, EPA must ensure that its registration of a pesticide will not result in likely jeopardy to the continued existence of federally listed threatened or endangered species or destroy or adversely modify their designated critical habitat. In addition the Agency must consult, as appropriate, with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) or National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) if a pesticide's use may affect listed species or designated critical habitat.
This Web page provides information on the Washington Toxics Coalition v. EPA case, related to protection of Pacific salmon and steelhead, and links to the biological opinions issued by the NMFS and EPA’s responses.
Background on this court case
On February 17, 2004, EPA announced the availability of the January 22, 2004, ruling of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington in the case of Washington Toxics Coalition (WTC) v. EPA in a Federal Register notice. The Court established buffer zones around certain water bodies in California, Oregon, and Washington where the court ordered that specific pesticides could not be used. Generally, for ground pesticide applications, the court order establishes a 20-yard buffer zone; for aerial pesticide applications, the court order establishes a 100-yard buffer zone adjacent to salmon-supporting waters. These buffers are in effect until EPA completes its consultation obligations including finding that a pesticide has no effect on the species, receipt of a biological opinion from NMFS, or a finding by EPA that the pesticide is not likely to adversely affect the species with no affirmative rejection of that finding by NMFS.
Chief Judge Coughenour issued this order in response to the WTC's July 16, 2003, motion for injunctive relief to establish buffer zones as an interim measure to reduce the likelihood of jeopardy to 26 species of salmon and steelhead.
The Agency met its December 1, 2004, deadline to complete the review of the 55 pesticides as ordered by the court on July 2, 2002. For 37 pesticides, EPA determined there may be effects to one or more of the listed Pacific salmon or steelhead and therefore initiated consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service.
Links to the Federal Register Notices and Court Orders:
- March 24, 2004, Federal Register notice on point of sale notification.
- February 17, 2004, Federal Register notice announcing the availability of the Court ruling.
- January 22, 2004, Court Order (PDF) (31 pp,754K)
- August 8, 2003, Court Order (PDF) (22 pp, 957K)
- July 16, 2003, Court Order (PDF) (5 pp, 231K)
- July 2, 2002, Court Order (PDF) (21 pp, 1.03MB)