Thursday 7 February 2019


Michael Lapham, BSc. Integrated Pest Management Officer Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy was asked a number of questions at our recent conference. He responded with the answers below which are of value to all applicators in BC. If you require further clarification or have questions about the IPM regulations please contact Michael Lapham at:

Environmental Protection Division
102 Industrial Place
Penticton, BC V2A 7C8
(250) 490-2292
 
 
1.    I am having treatment notice signs made for the 2019 season. Can you provide me a list of all the requirements that need to be on the treatment notice sign? 

Answer: Under section 63 (1) and 63 (2) of the Integrated Pest Management regulation, treatment notice form and content, information regarding treatment notices are stated. http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/loo91/loo91/604_2004

The Explanatory Notes for Landscape Managers found on our website also have a good summary of these requirements starting on page 9:   https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/pesticides-and-pest-management/pesticide-use/reviews/landscape_review.pdf
 
2.    I completed a course at a university pertaining to my Landscape Certificate. I wanted know where  I receive credits for that course that will extend my landscape certificate duration.  

Answer: Please contact your credit coordinator from IEPMA. He will contact  Lauren Hall at the Victoria Office where she will be able to determine whether the course that you took may be applied to your landscape certificate.
 
3.    The spray distance that must be maintained between a well is 30 meters. Are there any circumstances were the distance may be reduced with certain pesticides?  

Answer: Under section 71 (3),  except as provided in subsections (4) and (12) and 79 (2), a person described in subsection (1) must maintain a 30 m no-treatment zone around a water supply intake or well used for domestic or agricultural purposes, including water for livestock or for irrigation of crops.  

The answer here is that generally no, you cannot spray pesticides within 30 meters of a well. However there are some exceptions that apply. The exception, under subsection 71 (4) of the Regulation, which states that a licensee may reduce the 30 m no-treatment zone around a well or water supply intake if reasonably satisfied that the smaller zone will ensure that pesticide from the use will not enter the water supply intake or well.  However, if an applicator decides to reduce this 30 m, the applicator must record the information under which they made the decision (this is a requirement under Section 35 (l) of the Regulation), and the decision must be a reasonable one that takes into the type of product used, the soil type, weather, soil saturation, slope, etc. to ensure that pesticide will not get into the water. 

These exceptions should be taken with caution. If an issue occurs with the well due to applying within 30 meters and an unreasonable adverse effect occurs, the applicator would be responsible for causing that and could be considered out of compliance under Section 3(1)(a) of the Act – ``a person must not use a pesticide in a manner that causes or is likely to cause an unreasonable adverse effect 

 
4.     Where do I take old backpack sprayers or other pesticide application equipment that I want to dispose of?  

Answer:  In general, if you want to get rid of an old backpack sprayer or other pesticide application equipment that is worn out, please triple rinse the spray equipment and take them to the landfill.  If you have any equipment that you are particularly concerned about with respect to the pesticide residues, an applicatory can always call a ministry IPM Officer to discuss disposal options.