School IPM Program

Senator Robert G. Torricelli (D-NJ) has worked with environmentalists and the pesticide industry to craft legislation that would set federal policy on pesticide exposure to children in schools. The Torriceli School Environment Protection Amendment (SEPA) was included as part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Authorization Bill (ESAE), which was passed by the U.S. Senate this year. For the first time, parents in all 50 states will be notified when pesticides are used in schools.

The amendment requires that all 50 states develop a School Pest Management Plan and submit it to the EPA for approval. States will be directed to explore the usage of various methods to control their pest problems with the goal of decreasing their use of pesticides. The amendment also requires universal notification of parents three times a year to update them on the pest management program, including progress reports and schedules of pesticide applications.

The Ohio State University has set up a steering group to put together an intergrated pest management (IPM) program for Schools in the state of Ohio. This group is made up of university personnel, pesticide industry representatives and school superintendents from across Ohio. It is the aim of the group to provide schools in Ohio with information on the best ways of managing areas, such as athletic fields, in the most efficient and safe manner.

The Ohio Turfgrass Foundation Conference and Show 2001 will include a workshop on Monday 3rd December. There are two parts to this workshop:

(1) Sport field management for schools, municipalities, small colleges, and other recreational complexes (Dr. Michael Goatley, Mississippi State Uni.)

(2) Dealing with IPM mandates and protocols for schools, municipalities, and recreational complexes - public relations, liability/safety, and agronomic issues (Dr. John Stier, University of Wisconsin)

For more on the this new IPM legislation, click on Environmental Protection Agency

To read Torricelli's document in full, click on IPM Program 2001

Authors: Pam Sherratt