Pesticide Management & Coordination
The Forest Health Protection staff of the USDA Forest Service has the responsibility of managing and coordinating the proper use of pesticides within the National Forest System (NFS). It is also responsible for providing technical advice and support, and for conducting training to maintain technical expertise. In order to achieve this function, the Forest Service maintains a cadre of Pesticide Coordinators and specialists located at Regional Offices and at some Forest Supervisors Offices. Service policy and direction on pesticide use is outlined under the Forest Service Manual Chapter 2150.
This website is maintained for the purpose of providing information on Forest Service Policy regarding the use of pesticides on NFS lands and to assist Forest Service personnel on the proper use of pesticides.
Pesticide Use Policy
Biological and chemical pesticides are employed as one component of an integrated approach to managing Forest insect, disease and invasive plant problems. Pesticides are one tool utilized by forest managers to protect and maintain forest health.
To ensure the proper use of pesticides, it is Forest Service policy to:
Base actual and recommended uses of pesticides on analysis of effectiveness, specificity, environmental impacts, economic efficiency and human exposure.
Review and approve all proposals for the use and application of pesticides on National Forest System lands using the current Pesticide-Use Proposal (PUP) Form FS-2100-0002:
Use pesticides in compliance with all applicable Federal, State and local laws and regulations.
Permit only certified personnel or those under the supervision of a certified applicator to use restricted-use pesticides.
Health & Safety
The Forest Service places high priority on human and ecological health and safety. This is one of the reasons why the use of pesticides in forestry activities on National Forests must be based on analysis of effectiveness, specificity, environmental impact, economic efficiency and human exposure.
Pesticide Registration
USDA Forest Service through its Forest Health Protection program maintains federal (U.S. EPA) and state pesticide registrations for two biological pesticides it produces and uses in its forest pest management projects. The Forest Service also provides these pesticides to federal and state cooperators at no cost.
Pesticide Use Risk Assessments and Worksheets
For the pesticides commonly used by the Forest Service in its management activities, Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessments (HERAs) are prepared.
Virus Products
Gypchek – The Lymantria dispar nucleopolyhedrovirus product and Douglas-fir Tussock moth virus (TM Biocontrol-1).