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Biological Opinion by WWC Wheat Review Wheat Life, January 2009

A boilogical opinion from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) would require additional farming restrictions if accepted by the EPA. NOAA said diazinon, malathion and chlorpyritos (Lorsban) are likely to jeopardize 27 populations of salmon on the West Coast. "Scientific research has shown corn can damage and even kill salmon," said Jim Balsiger, acting NOAA assistant administrator for the agency's fishery service. Restrictions of the biological opinion include:

• Buffer zones of 1000 feet for aerial application and 500 feet for ground application between where pesticides are applied and salmon streams.

• Strips of a minimum 20 feet of grasses, bushes or other vegetation designed to absorm bun off from pesticide-treated fields.

• Restrictions on applying pesticides in windy conditions which could carry them into nearby streams.

• A prohibition on applying pesticides when a storm is predicted. The final biological opinion is the first of a series NOAA will issue between now and February 29, 2012 concerning a total of 37 chemical ingredients in pesiticides.