Last week in Oregon, environmental
activists took the first step to have three ballot measures focusing on
pesticide use, including aerial application, put up for a statewide vote in
November 2020. These ballot initiatives include arbitrary notification periods
ranging from 14 to 21 days before an application can be made, and 500-foot buffer
zones for aerial applications.
Details on the three public
initiatives are as follows:
IP 35 – Oregon Forest Waters Protection Act
- Establishes
100 ft harvest buffers on fishbearing streams and 50 ft buffers most other
waterways.
- Notification
of pesticide applications 14-21 days prior to an application to the Oregon
Department of Forestry (ODF). ODF shall send notice to any person who has
requested notification and has a physical address within one mile of the
proposed application.
- 500
ft aerial application for forest operations of any water of the state on
forestland, dwelling or school.
- Takes
2/3 of the Oregon Forest Resources Institute’s revenue and reallocates to
enforcing the measure and fire suppression to protect forest waters.
IP 36 – Forest Waters
- Establishes 100 ft
harvest buffers on fishbearing streams and 50 ft buffers most other
waterways.
IP 37 – Forest Pesticide Restrictions
- Notification
of pesticide applications 14-21 days prior to an application to ODF. ODF
shall send notice to any person who has requested notification and has a
physical address within one mile of the proposed application.
- 500
ft aerial application for forest operations of any water of the state on
forestland, dwelling or school.
Additionally, all the measures would also require OSHA to
update worker protection standards for forestry operations. Also, Board of
Forestry members, who derive any significant portion of their income directly
from person or organizations that are subject to the Forest Practices Act, must
declare conflicts of interest and not be able to vote. Similar restrictions would
also be placed on other public officials. Each of these measures exempt federal
and tribal lands.
The activist groups must now turn in 1,000 signatures to the
Secretary of State to have a ballot title drafted and begin the full signature
collection process. Next, 112,020 signatures are required to qualify for the
November 2020 ballot. Signatures must be turned into the Secretary of State by
July 2, 2020.
