US EPA moves to settle ESA case and revamp consultations

摘要

The US EPA and a coalition of environmental groups intend to settle litigation that alleges the Agency failed to protect imperiled Pacific salmon and steelhead from five insecticides. The proposed deal requires the Agency to restore streamside nospray buffer zones in the Pacific Northwest to safeguard listed salmon from carbaryl, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, malathion and methonyl. The buffers prohibit aerial spraying of the insecticides within 300 ft (91 m) of salmon habitat and prohibit groundbased applications within 60 ft.