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Pest Management Policy

Pesticide Application Procedure

INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Chemicals used by the Rainier School District:

  • Round Up “Super Concentrate” EPA # 71995-25
  • Preen “Garden Weed Preventer” EPA # 961-280
  • Casoron 4-G “Weed-n-Grass Killer” EPA # 400-168

The Rainier School District is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for students, staff and those who use our facilities. As part of this commitment, we practice what is called an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, a program that addresses the management of vegetation and pests, and compliance with federal and state regulations.

Our normal practice is to:

  • use slow release fertilizers on grass sport fields
  • utilize mulch, heating with propane torch, weed whipping, and other techniques to control
  • weeds in planting areas to reduce or eliminate the use of chemicals
  • administer our treatments, whenever possible, during non-school hours
  • incorporate new information, methods and technology

We will attempt to avoid:

  • chemical weed control products on grass areas.

Please read the following document which outlines important information relevant to this topic.

If you have questions, please contact Grounds Department Supervisor at 446-7403.

Integrated Pest Management Procedures Pesticide Notification, Posting.

The Rainier School District follows an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program for managing vegetation and insect pests that affect grounds, buildings and personnel. IPM is an approach to pest control that utilizes regular monitoring to determine if and when treatments are needed. Biological, cultural, physical, mechanical, educational, and chemical methods are used in sitespecific combinations to solve pest problems. Chemical controls are used only when needed and in the least toxic formulation needed to control the pest.

IPM is an ecological approach to suppressing pest populations (i.e., weeds, insects, plant diseases, etc.) in which alternative pest control measures are considered. Where practical, these alternative measures are implemented before chemical controls are used so that pests are kept at acceptable levels in an effective, economical and environmentally safe way.

The goals of IPM are to:

  • protect human health by suppressing pests that transmit diseases
  • reduce loss from pest damage
  • reduce environmental pollution
  • reduce human exposure to pesticides
  • reduce the cost of pest control

Procedure 6895P

In IPM programs, treatments are not administered according to a fixed schedule. They are made only when and where monitoring has indicated that the pest will cause unacceptable economic, aesthetic, or health and safety concerns. The Rainier School District pest management program incorporates two levels of decisionmaking to control pest problems:

Action level: the point at which action must be taken to prevent a vegetation or pest population at a specific site from reaching the threshold level.

Threshold level: the point at which the growth of vegetation or pest population will cause an unacceptable impact on public safety, recreation, health, natural or managed ecosystems, aesthetic values, economic damage to desired plants, and the integrity, function or service life of facilities.

In determining the timing of pest control measures, the district shall consider the following factors:

  • Whenever practicable, treatments will be at times when school is not in session.
  • Application of pesticides (insecticides, herbicides, rodenticides, and fungicides) should be made only during periods of extended school breaks.
  • The timing of treatments will consider the susceptible stages of the pest, consistent with IPM practices.

In determining appropriate strategies for pest control that have reached the action or threshold levels, we will consider the selection of the following:

  • measures least hazardous to human health
  • the least toxic control measures that will effectively eradicate the pest population
  • measures that are the least disruptive of natural controls in the landscape and least toxic to nontarget organisms
  • measures that are most likely to be permanent and prevent recurrence of the pest problems
  • measures that are the most cost effective in the short and long term and easiest to carry out safely and effectively
  • placed spot treatments rather than broadcast treatment

The Rainier School District shall adhere to the following practices for the approval, compliance, notification and documentation of pesticide use.

  • Pesticides used in the district must be pre-approved by the Director of Maintenance. The use of privately acquired pest control products (i.e., Raid, ant killer, etc.) are not permitted on school property.
  • Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for approved materials will be on file at the Maintenance Department Office, District Office, and with the person applying the product.
  • Notification and posting of pesticide treatments shall be made in accordance with applicable state law.

IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES

At least 48 hours before the application of a pesticide to school facilities or school grounds, the District shall notify interested parents and staff of the planned application in writing, including the heading, “Notice: Pesticide Application”. This notice shall be posted in a prominent place in Procedure 6895P the building office in addition to being provided to interested parents and staff. This prenotification is not required if the school grounds or facilities will not be occupied by students for two days following the application of the pesticide. If the application is not made within 48 hours of the notification, another notification shall be made prior to the application. This pre-notification is not required in the case of any emergency application of pesticides to a school facility, such as an application to control stinging pests, but full notification shall be made as soon as possible after the application. Following the application of a pesticide to school facilities (structures and vehicles) a sign shall be posted at the location of the application. The notice shall be at least 8.5 x 11 inches in size, shall include the heading “Notice: Pesticide Application,” and shall state the product name; date, time and specific location of the application; the pest for which the application was made; and a contract name and telephone number. The notice shall remain posted for 24 hours, or longer if required by the label of the pesticide. Following the application of a pesticide to school grounds, notice shall be posted at the location of the application and at each primary point of entry to the grounds. The notice shall be at least 4 x 5 inches in size and state that the landscape recently has been treated with a pesticide and provide a contact name and telephone number. The notice shall remain posted for 24 hours, or longer if required by the label of the pesticide