Tribal Pesticide Program Council

EPA Solicits School IPM Grant Proposals

The EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs is soliciting grant proposals to further the implementation of integrated pest management in and around the nation’s public schools. Approximately $1 million is available for awards under this competitive opportunity.

The grants will provide financial assistance to eligible applicants for projects focusing on IPM approaches that (1) implement verifiable IPM programs that identify and reduce the risks associated with pests and pesticide use in and around kindergarten to 12th grade public and tribal schools and (2) measure and document the impacts of verifiable public and/or tribal school IPM programs on the environment and human health.

Eligible applicants include the 50 states, U.S. territories or possessions, federally recognized Indian tribal governments and Native American organizations, public and private universities and colleges, schools and school districts, other public or private nonprofit institutions, local governments and individuals. The project period of performance is limited to 2 years.

Integrated Pest Management is a sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health and environmental risks. The EPA promotes verifiable school IPM, which is an ongoing activity that includes:

· Understanding your pests;

· Setting action thresholds for key pests – and knowing when to take

  action against key pests;

· Monitoring for pests and their locations;

· Eliminating conditions that allow pest infestations; and

· Using one or more effective pest control methods, including

  sanitation, structural maintenance and non-chemical methods

  instead of or in combination with pesticides.

For more information about how to apply and available funding visit: www.epa.gov/pestwise/grants/.

The EPA School IPM Funding Opportunity Announcement is available at: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/grants/proposals/2011-school-ipm-grants.pdf

IN THIS UPDATE:

Proposed Pesticide Applicator Certification Plan Will Advance Human Health and Environmental Protection on Tribal Land Nationwide

In a May 18, 2011, Federal Register notice, EPA is announcing and soliciting comments on a proposed federal program to certify applicators of restricted use pesticides (RUPs) in Indian country where no other EPA-approved or EPA-implemented certification plan applies. RUPs are potentially hazardous chemicals that require special training and techniques to be used safely. Federal law requires EPA-approved certification of RUP applicators nationally, including in Indian country. Most of Indian country is not covered by a certification mechanism. EPA’s Proposed Federal Plan for Certification of Applicators of Restricted Use Pesticides within Indian country will help fill this gap in the certification of applicators of these hazardous chemicals and by ensuring that RUP applicators are competent to apply RUPs in Indian country, thus providing greater protection for human health and the environment.

EPA published a similar proposed federal certification plan specific to Region 8 Indian country in the Federal Registeron April 20, 2011.

For more information on EPA’s restricted use pesticide certification program, please see our Web pages explaining the certification and training of pesticide applicators.