West Coast Salmon are in danger from pesticides utilized by farmers and counties

It appears as if the salmon on the west coast have continually been threatened by three pesticides which are used to treat weeds in the field and the roadside. This study which was undertaken by the NOAA Fisheries Service deals with three pesticides in particular: all three of which are pre-emergent pesticides-- oryzalin, pendimethalin, and trifluralin. And I have used all but one of these in my farming career. The heaviest use of these three chemicals is in California. Furthermore these herbicides are ingredients in more than one hundred commercial products made by dozens of manufacturers.

According to NOAA Fishereies who informed the EPA about these pesticides stated that they endanger twenty six salmon populations on the West Coast which are protected by the Endangered Species Act. They suggested that the EPA should put a no spray buffer around waters which house these salmon.