On the recordMay 17, 2016
I do rise in strong opposition to H.R. 897, the Zika Vector Control Act. The Clean Water Act in no way hinders, delays, or prevents the use of approved pesticides for pest control operations. In fact, the Clean Water Act permit provides a specific emergency provision to prevent outbreaks of disease, such as Zika. Under the terms of the permit, pesticide applicators are automatically covered under the permit, and spraying may be performed immediately for any declared pest emergency situations. In most instances, sprayers are only required to notify EPA of the spraying operations 30 days after the beginning of the spraying operation. As I have noted before on similar bills, I have remained concerned that this bill would mean that no Clean Water Act protections would be required for pesticide application to water bodies that are already impaired by pesticides. Most pesticide applications in the U.S. are done in accordance with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, FIFRA, which requires proper labeling of pesticide products regarding usage. However, FIFRA labeling is no substitute for ensuring that we understand the volumes of pesticides that we seem to apply to our rivers, our lakes, and our streams on an annual basis.…
