C. Other Washington Office Division Chiefs. Other Washington Office Division Chiefs are responsible for coordinating and ensuring specific guidelines are met and provided for the chemical pest control program in their area of responsibility.
D. State Directors. State Directors are responsible for ensuring adherence to BLM policy and procedures developed in this Manual Section, and overseeing the chemical pest control program on BLM lands within their States.
E. District Managers. District Managers are responsible for planning and implementing a chemical pest control program within their area of responsibility in conformance with BLM and State Office policy and procedures.
F. Area Managers. Area Managers are responsible for planning and implementing a chemical pest control program within their area of responsibility in conformance with BLM and State Office policy and
procedures.
A. All users must conform with basic policy statements as outlined in the Department of the Interior Pesticide Use Policy (517 DM 1).
B. All proposed uses of chemical pest control methods on public lands are to be reviewed and studied thoroughly to evaluate the need for such uses and to determine the possible impacts each may have on the ecosystem and total environment.
C. All alternatives available through integrated pest management are to be explored.. Integrated pest management methods include, but are not limited to prevention, education, biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical methods.
D. The EPA registered pesticides are considered safe for use when applied in conformance with current label guidelines and restrictions. These pesticides and the other methods of pest management available through integrated peat management are effective and environmentally sound tools when applied
correctly. E. Given a variety of viable alternatives the most cost effective method shallbe chosen. F. Only pesticides that have been analyzed through NEPA documentation can be used in chemical pest control on BLM lands.
.07 Files and Record Maintenance. Establish and maintain files in accordance with BLM Manual Section 1270 and disposed of in accordance with Manual Section 1272. See BLM Handbook 8-9011-1 for a description of record keeping requirements and specific filing instructions.
9011 - CHEMICAL PEST CONTROL
.1 Guidelines for Conducting Chemical Pest Control Program. When BLM consents to a chemical pest control program on lands administered by BLM at the request of individuals, organizations, or other Federal Agencies. If the control work is accomplished by another Federal Agency, that agency must provide information for submission of a Pesticide Use Proposal (PUP) (see Illustration 1 in H-9011-1, Pesticide Use Proposal) and receive the approval of the Authorized BLM official. All other chemical pest control programs, including those done under BLM proposals, cooperative projects, on right-of-ways, or by lessees and concessionaires, and other activities and authorizations issued pursuant to a permit, must be submitted for review and approval in PUP format which is in conformance with the procedures below. Those agencies, lessees, cooperators, and other authorized land users may be subject to punitive measures by failure to submit such proposals. Upon completion of an application of a pesticide, a Pesticide Application Record must be completed within 24 hours (See Illustration - in H-9011-1). This record must be kept for 10 years in project files. .11 Review and Coordination.
A. Office of Environmental Affairs (OEA). The Department of the Interior, OEA, requires all pesticide proposals meeting the criteria as described in 517 DM 1 to be submitted to them for review.
B. Division of Forestry. The Division of Forestry coordinates all pesticide use proposals and forwards to OEA those projects requiring review by OEA officials. For those offices without trained and certified personnel, the WO Chief, Division of Forestry gives final approval to all proposed projects that conform with Departmental and BLM policy.
C. State Director. The State Director coordinates all pesticide use proposals for his/her State and forwards to the Division of Forestry those proposals requiring review and approval by the Chief, Division of Forestry or OEA.
.12 Planning.
A. Manage chemical pest control programs on BLM lands consistent and integrated with land management planning documents.
B. In addition to conforming with Departmental policy, an environmental analysis is prepared for each proposal. If this analysis indicates an environmental impact statement is necessary, that document must also be prepared.
1. Identifying and Organizing Objectives.
a. Weigh benefits of control against the environmental, economic, and values that may be threatened.
b. Determine scope of project and integrate into the plan positive measures for protecting wildlife and other values.
c. Determine for each target pest the possible courses of action and evaluate relative merits for controlling the pest with the least adverse effect on the environment. This integrated pest management approach must be followed in arriving at the decision to use a chemical pesticide.
d. Any program involving the use of chemical pest control is submitted as a pesticide use proposal for review on a fiscal year basis to allow time for review and approval for inclusion in the annual work plan. Other submissions may be made on an emergency basis. For further details on Program Submission, Implementation, and Reports, refer to BLM Handbook (H-9011-1).
2. Coordinating with Other Agencies. Specialists of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the United States Department of Agriculture, the United States Department of the Interior (Fish and Wildlife Service), and the Environmental Protection Agency provide consultation and assistance on problems of medical, agricultural, and environmental importance (i.e., disease and pest management, quarantine control, fish and wildlife protection) upon request. Personnel in BLM State Offices coordinate and request consultation and assistance as needed from local agency representatives. For further guidance in Animal Damage Control, see BLM Manual Section 6830, and Grasshopper, Mormon Cricket Control, see BLM Manual Section 9012.
3. Seeking Public Involvement. Before a decision is made to proceed with a chemical pest control project, the public shall be invited to review and comment on the site- specific analyses for the project. The public is to be notified of the final decision for a site-specific project as soon as it has been made. Notice methods include local newspapers, district and resource are public notices, and public rooms are used to distribute public information concerning proposed BLM actions.
4. Employing Protective Measures. Establish definite boundaries for the treatment area and leave a buffer strip along streams, near residences, and other sensitive areas. Width depends on the pesticide used, method of application, climatic conditions, and form applied. Adhere to protective measures describes on the label of the pesticide planned for use and refer to H-9011-1 for further guidance.
5. Training and Certification.
a. The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act of 1972, as amended, P.L. 92-516 requires that all personnel applying restricted-use pesticide are certified in the use of these pesticides or under the direct supervision of certified applicators. Additionally, it will be the policy of the BLM that all nonrestricted pesticides shall be applied by certified applicators or under the direct supervision of a certified applicator. All personnel involved in planning, reviewing, supervising, or applying pesticides must be adequately trained to handle pesticides and equipment properly. This ensures that control measures are applied with maximum safety, efficiency, and economy. Continued training, periodic examinations, and appropriate certification of personnel are required to safeguard against misuse, prevent contamination of the environment, and protect public lands.
b. It is the responsibility of the Washington Office to ensure adequate training and certification. The Assistant Director, Land and Renewable Resources has the responsibility for all pesticides used within BLM. For further details on training and certification refer to BLM Handbook H-9011-1.
.13 Monitoring. Monitoring means the periodic measuring of the changes, over a period of time, from the introduced chemicals in various parts of the environment. For further details on monitoring refer to BLM Handbook H-9011-1. .14 Safety Plan - Pesticide Applications. Project personnel and safety officers must be constantly alert to detect any unsafe practices. The officer in charge of the project and the District base radio operator must keep copies of a site-specific safety plan. The designated Contracting Office's Authorized Representative, inspector, or project officer is in charge, and the safety officer enforces the safety rule outlined. For further details on Safety Plans - Pesticide Applications refer to BLM Handbook (H-9011-1). .15 Threatened and Endangered Species. Before a chemical pest control program may be Initiated, a survey of the area for threatened or endangered species must be made. The BLM Manual Section 6840 encompasses the BLM's policy for all endangered species.
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