At the present time, Oregon law allows owners of forest land to aerial spray with pesticides. The rules in Oregon governing this aerial spraying are the least restrictive of any state in the Pacific Northwest. Spraying of pesticides is allowed to take place in watersheds with limited buffer zones for municipal water sources, and no buffer zone for residential areas or schools. Research indicates that exposure to these pesticides can be harmful to people as well as wildlife.

We, the undersigned concerned citizens of the United States, ask for legislation to strengthen the rules that govern aerial spraying of toxic pesticides and must include the following:

1. A notification system allowing the public to receive advance notification regarding the date and time of a scheduled spray as well as the pesticides to be used;

2. Allow citizens timely and accurate access to spraying records so they can give this information to medical professionals who may need to respond to a related pesticide exposure.

3. Establish adequate no-spray buffer zones around homes and schools, and increase buffer zones around watersheds that provide drinking water.