1. Local Coordination to Preserve Culturally Sensitive Plants Sarah Ryan Big Valley Rancheria EPA Western Region Pesticide Meeting May 2005

2. Pesticide Issues in Lake County: Pesticide drift and historical pesticide residues Lack of education about Tribal use of plants Unknown contamination of sensitive plants

3. Some Findings: Elevated levels of copper, barium, zinc in tules At Big Valley, organochlorine pesticides, arsenic, elevated copper, lead, iron and zinc found in sediment along the eastern boundary of Rancheria Basketweavers are altering their methods to avoid possible contact with pesticides

4. Actions taken: BVR received US EPA funding - quantify pesticide routes of exposure for local Tribes Tribes began project with CA Dept of Food and Agriculture to sample tules for fluridone herbicide used in hydrilla eradication program Extensive comments and interaction with county on its Aquatic Plant Management Plan

5. Clear Lake Region Pesticide Environmental Risk Project Community scoping meetings Native plant list Pesticide assessments Workshops

6. Tule Project with CDFA Began as a response in November 2004 to concern that Tribes raised about pesticide residue in traditional foods Tribal/CDFA meeting in January 2005 to discuss tule consumption (how, when and where) CDFA currently developing methodology for analyzing fluridone in tules, water and sediment, at Clear Lake in 4 different locations (chosen by the Tribes) CDFA will conduct sampling during May 2005, (pre and post fluridone application) and share info

8. Clear Lake Integrated Aquatic Plant Management Plan Tribes offered information on use and consumption of lake plants/animals Tribes made detailed comment on 2 drafts of plan, made corrections to assumptions about Tribal use of Lake

9. Native Plant List Compile list of plants with collection times, uses, general gathering areas Overlay with local pesticide use info (what, where, when) Use information to determine the plants that need attention Create pamphlet that educates the public about need for native plant preservation

10. Summary of Local Coordination Assessments will assist Tribes with management of resources Tribal discussion of concerns about sensitive plants Coordination with state on pesticide sampling of traditional food Tribal consumption information included in county pesticide risk assessment Education of local community with native plants pamphlet

11. Keep vigilant and stay involved: County’s Aquatic Plant Management Plan did not use Tribal consumption numbers Pesticide drift incidents continue to occur Pesticide sampling rarely takes place on foods consumed by Tribal members “How can we eat our subsistence food if our food is contaminated?” This is a work in progress…

12. Contact: sryan@big-valley.netsryan@big-valley.net 707-263-3924 x109 cell 707-349-4040