Feds may restrict 37 commonly used pesticides

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Federal officials will begin looking at whether to restrict 37 commonly used pesticides -- including some in flea collars and household sprays -- to keep them out of rivers where they may harm protected salmon.

The pesticides include those that go under the brand names Sevin, Patriot and Direx, and many are used widely in agriculture and around homes. Some have been found in rivers such as the Willamette at levels believed to be harmful to aquatic life.

The National Marine Fisheries Service agreed Wednesday to begin reviewing the pesticides for harm to salmon under a legal settlement with the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations and Institute for Fisheries Resources. The groups had earlier sued the Fisheries Service for failing to undertake the pesticide reviews.

"This could very well mean changes in how we use pesticides around our homes or in our yards," said Aimee Code of the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides, which is based in Eugene.

It's not clear what kind of restrictions the Fisheries Service might recommend to protect salmon, but they could include outright bans on pesticides in certain areas or limits on how close to rivers and streams they could be used. Spokesman Brian Gorman said the Fisheries Service will release an initial proposal today.

But he said deciding what protective measures are necessary for salmon will take longer. Under the legal settlement, the initial decisions should come in October and others will follow over four years.

Michael Milstein: 503-294-7689; michaelmilstein@ news.oregonian.com