Ak-Chin Environmental Programs receives grant funding through a Cooperative Agreement with USEPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs and the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. Ak-Chin Environmental Program’s Pesticide Control Specialist works under Ak- Chin’s Pesticide Control Program to verify compliance with the federal Worker Protection Standards and the worker safety program to educate pesticide applicators, handlers and farmworkers on working safely with, and around, pesticides.
In addition, the Pesticide Control Specialist goals are to reduce pesticide related risks, such as illness and injury to agricultural workers, pesticide handlers and applicators including structural pest control and right of way applicators, and the Community’s residents, employees, and visitors. Activities include providing education, outreach andcompliance assistance to pesticide applicators, monitoring pesticide applications and pesticide related activities within the Community; verifying the use of required personal protective quipment during pesticide use; ensuring that pesticides are properly registered with the USEPA and issuing proper enforcement response as applicable and necessary by enforcing federal regulations and Ak-Chin’s Pesticide Control Ordinance, adopted by Resolution in 2010.
The Pesticide Control Specialist also works with applicators, businesses and Ak-Chin Departments to reduce or eliminate pesticide use by implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques to combat pests like mosquitoes, rodents and insects.
Ak-Chin Community members, residents and employees including agricultural workers and pesticide handlers are encouraged to contact the Ak-Chin Pesticide Control Specialist to report any pesticide misuse including pesticide drift; damage or health effects believed to be as a result of pesticide exposure. In addition, Ak-Chin’s Pesticide Control Specialist is available to assist anyone with pesticide related questions about pesticide products, reducing pesticide use and how to choose, handle, apply and properly dispose of pesticide products.
