Lahontan seeks comments on use of pesticides in water

The Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board wants to allow pesticides in water on a limited basis. This requires amending the current rules.

Circumstances eligible for a prohibition exemption involve the use of aquatic pesticides for purposes of protecting public health and safety for things like vector control and drinking water protection, plus ecological integrity that include fisheries management and aquatic invasive species control.

Comments were taken on the plan amendment for 45 days ending May 13. Because of those written comments and the ones submitted at the two public hearings, one of the chapters requires more public review. The latest round of comments is open until Nov. 14 at noon.

Documents for review are available at the Lahontan Water Board’s website at under the “Pesticide Basin Plan Amendment – Revised Draft Documents Provided for Public Comments” heading. For a hardcopy of the draft documents, contact Amber Wike at (530) 542.5400 or at awike@waterboards.ca.gov.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report