Developing and Adopting Economically Effective Pesticide Mitigation Strategies: Critical to the Survival of Agriculture and Endangered Species
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62300/0e36xy42Keywords:
Endangered Species Act (ESA), Pesticide mitigation, Herbicide Strategy, Best Management Practices (BMPs), Agricultural sustainability, Spray drift buffers, Conservation programs, Regulatory compliance, Environmental stewardship, EPA mitigation menuAbstract
This paper examines the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating pesticide mitigation strategies into regulatory frameworks under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) while maintaining agricultural productivity. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed mitigation measures to reduce pesticide exposure to ESA-listed species, primarily through spray-drift buffers and runoff-reduction practices. However, these measures often lack flexibility and scientific specificity, creating economic and operational burdens for growers. The paper emphasizes the need for transparent, science-based, and stakeholder-driven approaches that incorporate existing best management practices (BMPs) and conservation programs. It advocates for measurable outcomes to ensure that mitigation efforts are both effective and necessary, highlighting the importance of collaboration among regulators, industry, and farmers to achieve the dual goals of species protection and agricultural sustainability.
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