The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) will hold a series of statewide public workshops from May 28 – June 9 to hear ideas about how to address concerns about the use of pesticides around schools The department intends to use these workshops as listening sessions, and gather input that will later help to craft a statewide regulation about pesticide use near schools.

While there are currently strict regulations on the use of individual pesticides, DPR’s regulatory framework for restricted pesticides also allows County Agricultural Commissioners to establish additional rules to address local conditions through permits. The department is considering whether to adopt some of these rules on a statewide basis, as well as consider other restrictions.

DPR has scheduled the workshops in five counties to largely coincide with the school year. The workshops, which are open to all members of the public, will be held as follows:

Sacramento

May 28

3:00 p.m. Focus on Applicators and Growers

5:30 p.m. Focus on the Community

Cal EPA
1001 I Street
Sacramento CA

Salinas

June 2

3:00 p.m. Focus on Applicators and Growers

5:30 p.m. Focus on the Community

Cesar Chavez Library
615 Williams Road
Salinas CA 93905

Ventura

June 3

3:00 p.m. Focus on Applicators and Growers

Ventura County Government Center
(Board of Supervisors Room)
800 South Victoria Avenue
Ventura, CA 93009

June 3

7:00 p.m. Focus on the Community

Rio Mesa High School (Library)
545 Central Ave
Oxnard. CA 93036

Lamont

June 4

3:00 p.m. Focus on Applicators and Growers

5:30 p.m. Focus on the Community

Kern County Library
8304 Segrue Rd.
Lamont CA 93241

Riverside

June 9

3:00 p.m. Focus on Applicators and Growers

5:30 p.m. Focus on the Community

City of Coachella Corporate Yard
53-462 Enterprise Way
Coachella, CA 92236