Surface Water Quality Management Plan: Pyrethroid Pesticides in Freshwater Creek

Management Plan Triggered
Mandatory Workshop – March 12, 2025

Bifenthrin was detected in the Surface Water Quality Monitoring in Colusa County which has triggered a Management Plan Requirement by the Regional Board!

FIRST, EVENT 195 – July 20, 2022 – Freshwater Creek @ Gibson Road
CROP TYPE: Almond, Tomatoes
SECOND, EVENT 218 – July 25, 2024 – Freshwater Creek @ Gibson Road
CROP TYPE: Almond, Tomatoes, Bean (dried), Walnut, and Squash

We have developed a Management Plan for pyrethroid pesticides. As a result, the Colusa Glenn Subwatershed Program and the SVWQC are required to perform additional outreach and education to growers and pesticide applicators.

What does this mean? To meet requirements of a mandated Management Plan, growers will be required to participate in mandatory outreach and continuing education conducted by the Colusa Glenn Subwatershed Program, as well as the potential to implement additional best management practices (BMPs) protective of water quality. For example, the main focus of outreach will be to meet with growers, Pest Control Advisors, and Commercial Applicators that apply Bifenthrin. Topics will include label requirements, use of these products in agriculture, adoption and implementation of BMPs to eliminate additional exceedances, and a timeline for performance goals of the Management Plan. In addition, growers will need to attend mandatory workshops and respond to all special surveys and correspondence by the Colusa Glenn Subwatershed Program; this is on top of all other ORDER reporting requirements.

>>> Failure to fully participate in a Management Plan will result in the grower being removed from membership in the Colusa Glenn Subwatershed Program and the Member will be required to obtain regulatory coverage directly with the Regional Board. <<<    

We want to reinforce that we need to be extra cautious during application(s) of any and ALL Bifenthrin-containing insecticides and all other products, including other pyrethroid pesticides. It is critical to the Ag industry to maintain insecticide availability while protecting water quality.