Killing mosquitoes seems to be the issue here and with the spread of more dangerous mosquito borne disease it appears to be good public policy to allow farmers to spray as soon as needed rather than have to obtain a specific permit for a routine process.
This recent trend, of speeding up—or eliminating it when appropriate—the government permit process is a good one and generates a higher level of trust between the public and private sector that can sometimes be very beneficial, assuming there exists an balanced sense of care over the commons.
Using pesticides over waters OK'd
EPA says special permits not needed; decision angers environmentalists.
By Michael Doyle - Bee Washington BureauPublished 12:00 am PST Tuesday, November 28, 2006
The Bush administration pleased farmers and frustrated environmentalists Monday by declaring that pesticides can be sprayed into and over waters without first obtaining special permits.
The heavily lobbied decision is supposed to settle a dispute that's roiled federal courts and divided state regulators. It's popular among those who spray pesticides for a living, but it worries those who fear poisoned waters will result.
"We need to act fast to stop mosquitoes when they are found," argued Jim Tassano, a pest-control operator in the Sierra foothills town of Sonora. "Any delay results in adults emerging. It is far cheaper and much more effective to kill them as larvae ...(and) if a permit is required, the costs would skyrocket."
Tassano was one of hundreds to weigh in over the past three years as the Environmental Protection Agency mulled over its options. His sentiments were shared by California's Merced and Tulare mosquito control districts and various agricultural interests nationwide.
"Requiring (federal) permitting would unnecessarily disrupt the effectiveness of (pest) control operations and adversely impact hundreds of business," the South Carolina Aquatic Plant Management Society warned.
