Deal Requires New Pesticides Protections for Rare California Frog Promising news for red-legged frogs, which the Center for Biological Diversity has been trying to save for years: A new settlement approved Monday requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure that seven common pesticides, all known to be highly toxic to amphibians, dont threaten the frogs survival. The settlement gives the agency two years to study the need for restrictions on pesticide use in and near red-legged frog habitat. Frogs are an important barometer of the health of our ecosystems, said Justin Augustine, a Center attorney. Pesticides found in red-legged frog habitat can also contaminate our drinking water, food, homes and schools, posing a disturbing health risk. A 2006 legal settlement secured by the Center required the EPA to assess pesticide impacts on California red-legged frogs -- federally protected since 1996 -- and consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service. Although the EPAs assessments found that widespread use of pesticides is likely hurting the frogs, and a court ordered temporary pesticide-use restrictions that remain in effect today, the two agencies have failed to consult -- resulting in Center litigation that led to this settlement. More than 200 million pounds of pesticides are applied each year in California.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 17:00:00 +0000
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