R.E.D. Alert – Golf Courses, Turf Producers, Athletic Fields

Dear Friend:

By now you have probably heard of the final rule the EPA has published for the re-registration eligibility document (R.E.D.) for the following soil fumigants:
Methyl bromide, Chloropicrin, Metham Sodium (Vapam, K-Pam, Metham CLR, Sectagon), and Dazomet (Basamid).

The EPA is attempting to severely limit the use of soil fumigants by implementing excessive, unwarranted, and unnecessary risk mitigation measures.

These new regulations contain numerous provisions which will be both costly and difficult for growers and applicators to implement. In many cases buffer zones will prohibit use. Some of the mandatory requirements contained within are:

This ruling is final! Time is of the essence! Now is the time to be proactive! You are the key to defeating the implementation of these regulations.

In addition, methyl bromide will only be allowed to be used on CUE and QPS crops. Golf course and athletic field applications will be PROHIBITED even though sufficient stockpiles of methyl bromide exist.

You do not have to be an expert on fumigants to let your elected representatives know the importance and exceptional safety record of these products. Call, email, and write your elected officials. Stress how you have safely used these products and the importance they were to your facility. Let them know that it will be impossible to comply with the provisions of the RED as it is written. Offer suggestions on how the EPA could make this workable. The full RED for each fumigant can be viewed at www.epa.gov/opprsrrd1/reregistration/soil_fumigants/#more . Submit your comments directly to the EPA website and copy the USDA and your elected officials at www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/reregistration/soil_fumigants/#comments. It is felt that the EPA will take notice if a large number of comments are received.

Deadline for responses is October 30, 2008

For the RED ALERT NEWSLETTER...click here

HOW TO SUBMIT COMMENTS TO EPA...click here