By Britt Bailey

The Critical Habitat Project of the Center for Ethics and Toxics has just completed the first-ever inventory of pesticide usage in the Gualala River watershed. Using the most current data available from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, we discovered 1250 pounds of pesticide active ingredients were used in forestry and vineyard operations within the Gualala River watershed.

Our key concern is that toxic chemicals used in intensively cultivated agricultural areas can end up in our waterways and aquifers. We often don't know what pesticides are used, what quantities are used, or what effects they may have on the surrounding ecosystems. The inventory is valuable because it allows for more detailed and accurate assessment of potential risk to endangered species including rare plants and threatened salmon. Our intention is to supply enhanced information so that we can better support ecosystems and their benefits including biodiversity and species health.

Pesticide spraying in Annapolis photo credit: Chris Poehlmann, 2003

Not only does our Gualala Watershed pesticide inventory provide the amounts pesticides used in pounds, but it also reveals the sites of application, the active ingredients used, the formulated products used, and the commodities being managed with the chemicals.

We invite you to delve into the pertinent facts and figures to learn more about the types of pesticides being used in vineyards and in timber operations on the North Coast.

Press Release

• CETOS' Critical Habitat Project completes Gualala Basin Pesticide Inventory: Half Ton of Pesticides Used in 2001

Data Table

• 2001 Pesticide Use in the Gualala River Watershed  (.pdf)

Factsheets

• Glyphosate (Roundup®)  (.pdf)
• Imazapyr  (.pdf)
• Mancozeb  (.pdf)

Maps: 2001 Pesticide Use in the Gualala River Watershed

• Forestry Use
• Vineyard Use: central watershed
• Vineyard Use: southern watershed