Pesticide Advisory Committee Meeting Summary
Guyer Conference Room, MDA Laboratory, East Lansing
January 19, 2007

Members present:  Russ Ives, Carolyn Randall, Michael Schiffer, Bruce Walke, Abby Schwartz

Guests present: Gina Davis, Brian Rowe

Jim Johnson welcomed everyone and distributed and discussed a memo from Robert Pigg about the “development of the groundwater monitoring analyses”.   The requirements of the US EPA to take well water samples are one determining factor.  Other decisions are based on national and state monitoring work by DEQ and the U.S. Geological Survey.

The Minutes were reviewed from the October meeting.  A motion to accept the minutes with minor corrects was made, seconded, and passed.  The minutes will be posted on the MDA website.

Pesticide Surveillance Update - Abby Schwartz reviewed the Michigan pesticide Illness and injury Surveillance Project Quarterly Report that she e-mailed to the committee.  A comment was made that it is difficult to tell what type of bleach was used – commercial or from the grocery store.  It was suggested that additional report categories might include fumigants, microbialcides, regrouping of the cases, and qualifying of the cases.

PPPM Update – Gina Davis discussed activities in the Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division and MDA including:

• Anhydrous Ammonia Safety and Security Practices
• Regulation 641
• Senate Bill 840 (Fertilizer Law)
• Emerald Ash Borer – Quarantine revised December 5, 2006
• Hemlock Wooly Adelgid
• Gypsy Moth - There will be no a Gypsy Moth suppression program this year due to reductions in the pest and funding deficiencies. 
• Downey Mildew - PPPM has agreed to draft language for possible inclusion in Act 72 (Insect Pests and Plant Disease Act) to direct inspection of all curcurbit crops grown under tunnels. 
• New chief deputy director for MDA is Dr. Phyllis Mellon.  She comes from Management and Budget Department.
• MDA hosting Association Control Officials July 27 – August 4 meeting in Grand Rapids.

MSUE Pesticide Education Update – Carolyn Randall distributed and reviewed the First Quarter Report, Mechanical Equipment Safety Checklist, Questions and Answers about Head Lice (Bulletin E-2976) and Molds in the Home: What should you do?  (Bulletin E-2814).  The National Core Manual will be utilized in Michigan.  Carolyn is working on addendums specific to Michigan laws.  October 2007 possible date to change to the new core manual.  It was suggested that Carolyn (MSUE) develop a pamphlet for equipment safety.  Suggestions should be sent to Carolyn.  March 6, 2007 is the MDA/MSUE in-service meeting.  The cost is $35 and the PAC is invited.

Pesticide Section Update – Brian Rowe distributed/discussed:

• FY2006 Accomplishments Report that the division sends to EPA
• Operation Safe Fly-In
• IMPACT update – pesticide business licensing on line as of November 2006
• Vacancies in Pesticide Section Enforcement manager
• Enforcement administrative support
• Seminar administrative support
• Registration manager
• Registration assistant
• Pesticide business license administrative support as of April 1, 2007
• Regulation 637 – at Legislative Service Bureau
• Meeting with mold control industry
• Incidental Use Exemptions – to be conducted in future
• Bulk container containment – MDA meets/exceeds EPA requirements

  2007-2008 meeting Dates – The following dates were approved by the PAC.

• April 20, 2007
• July 20, 2007
• October 19, 2007
• January 18, 2008

The meeting was adjourned at 11:45.