Gov. delays plans to spray pesticide
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday delayed plans to conduct aerial spraying against the light brown apple moth over 12 Northern California counties until safety tests are completed.
In a separate decision, a Santa Cruz County judge ordered that spraying for the agricultural pest be stopped there pending a full environmental review.
The decisions pose additional obstacles for state and federal farm officials, who have cast the battle against the voracious bug as an emergency, allowing them to sidestep normal review procedures.
About 600 people in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties complained of illnesses -- mostly respiratory problems and headaches -- after those areas were sprayed last year. This month, a state panel found there was no evidence that spraying caused the residents’ health problems.
After meeting with state Sen. Carole Migden (D-San Francisco) and Bay Area officials, Schwarzenegger predicted that testing would prove the safety of the pheromone spray. The state hopes to resume spraying in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties about Aug. 17 -- a delay of at least two months.
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-- Steve Chawkins
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