Sen. Migden & Senate Environmental Safety Committee to Hold Hearing on Aerial Spraying for Light Brown Apple Moth

(SAN RAFAEL)- State Senator Carole Migden and Sen. Joe Simitian, chair of the Senate Environmental Safety Committee, will join forces at a March 13 Marin County oversight hearing to analyze the California  Department of Food and Agriculture's plans to begin aerial spraying for the light brown apple moth in August.

Twelve California counties are currently slated to be sprayed: Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Marin, Monterey, Napa, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Solano.

More than 600 people reported health effects when Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties were sprayed last year.  Many residents of counties slated to be sprayed have concerns about the new formula because its manufacturer is not required to release the spray's entire list of ingredients.  The last two versions of the spray contained chemicals known to be hazardous to human health. In addition, the new formula is expected to contain undisclosed inert chemicals encased in microscopic plastic capsules. There are no known studies that have determined the short- or long-term health effects of this new formula on any species.

WHAT:   State Senate Committee on Environmental Safety Oversight Hearing: "The Light Brown Apple Moth:  Planned Actions, Alternatives, and Public Concerns"

WHEN:   Thursday, March 13, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

WHERE:  Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 330
                San Rafael, 94903

WHO:    State Senator Carole Migden (D-San Francisco/North Bay)

State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Santa Cruz), Chair, Senate Environmental Safety Committee

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The tentative agenda for the March 13 hearing is attached below:

Senate Environmental Quality Committee S. Joseph Simitian, Chair

 The Light Brown Apple Moth:
Planned Actions, Alternatives, and Public Concerns

The Marin Civic Center
3501 Civic Center Drive,
Room 330

Supervisors Chambers

San Rafael
March 13, 2008
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

TENTATIVE AGENDA

Introductory Statements
Senator S. Joseph Simitian
Senator Carole Migden
Other Members In Attendance

Background and Overview of Planned Actions

The Department of Food and Agriculture

The Light Brown Apple Moth - State of the Science

Dr. James R. Carey, U.C. Davis

Public Health and Environmental Concerns

Paul Schramski, Executive Director, Pesticide Watch

Roy Upton, California Representative, Citizens for Health

Helge Hellberg, Executive Director, Marin Organic

Public Comments and Discussion

Thur, March 13,
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

WHERE:  Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 330
 San Rafael,CA 94903