Inventory of the Department of Pesticide Regulation Records
Finding aid written by Kim Mitchell
California State Archives
© 2013
1020 "O" Street
Sacramento, California 95814
Phone: (916) 653-2246
Fax: (916) 653-7363
Email: ArchivesWeb@sos.ca.gov
URL: http://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/
California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.
Inventory of the Department of Pesticide Regulation Records
Record Group number: R195
California State Archives
Office of the Secretary of State
Sacramento, California
- California State Archives
- 1020 "O" Street
- Sacramento, California 95814
- Phone: (916) 653-2246
- Fax: (916) 653-7363
- Email: ArchivesWeb@sos.ca.gov
- URL: http://www.sos.ca.gov/archives/
Processed by: Kim Mitchell
Date Completed: 2013
Encoded by: Sara Kuzak
© 2013 California Secretary of State. All rights reserved.
Title: Department of Pesticide Regulation Records
Dates: 1950-2004
Collection number: R195
Creator:
California Department of Pesticide Regulation
Extent:
14 cubic feet
Repository:
California State Archives
Sacramento, California
Abstract: The records of the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) consist of 14 cubic feet of textual records reflecting the agency's
administration of California's many and varied pesticide regulatory programs. The records are dated from 1950 to 2004, are
separated into three subgroups, and include ten record series.
Physical location: California State Archives
Language:
English
While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.
For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication
is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility
for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives
collections.
[Identification of item], Department of Pesticide Regulation Records, R195.[series number], [box and folder number], California
State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.
The California State Archives acquired the records of the Department of Pesticide Regulation per state law.
Agriculture has always been a major component of California's economy. Mention of some form of pesticide regulation responsibilities
can be found in the state's budget as far back as 1923 under the Department of Agriculture's Division (sometimes Bureau) of
Chemistry. Between 1962 and 1968, it appears that the Division of Chemistry shared pesticide-related responsibilities with
the Division of Standardization and Inspection.
In 1968, Governor Reagan's Reorganization Plan #1 (Statutes of 1968) created the Agriculture and Services Agency which moved
the Department of Agriculture under this new superagency. At this time, the Department did some internal reorganizing. The
Division of Inspection Services included several programming elements related to pesticides: Chemistry, Field Crops and Agricultural
Chemicals, Pesticides, and Pesticide Residue. In 1969, HR480 directed a committee to study the control of pesticides and
to report its findings by 1970. In 1973, the Department of Agriculture was renamed the Department of Food and Agriculture
(DFA).
In response to new federal mandates, the state legislature enacted Chapter 308 (Statutes of 1978) which required the DFA to
develop and oversee a statewide Pesticide Regulatory Program. In the same year, Governor Jerry Brown dissolved the Agriculture
and Services superagency; DFA was now a stand-alone agency.
In 1980, DFA once again completed an internal reorganization which resulted in the establishment of the Division of Pest Management,
Environmental Protection and Worker Safety, the body responsible for managing the Pesticide Regulatory Program. In 1985,
this division's name was shortened to Pest Management. In 1986, Governor Deukmejian approved major budget increases for the
evaluation and enforcement of pesticide regulation.
Governor Wilson's Reorganization Plan #1 (Statutes of 1991) removed all pesticide-related responsibilities from the DFA and
placed those powers into the newly formed Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR). DPR was placed under the authority of
the also newly formed superagency, the Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA). According to DPR's 1988 strategic plan,
the agency "has the primary responsibility for regulating all aspects of pesticide sales and use to protect the public health
and the environment". Furthermore, the agency's mission is to "evaluate and mitigate impacts of pesticide use, maintain the
safety of the pesticide workplace, ensure product effectiveness, and encourage the development and use of reduced risk pest
control practices while recognizing the need for pest management in a healthy economy."
Since its inception in 1992, DPR has frequently changed the names and, to a lesser extent, scope of its divisions. For example,
Executive and Administrative Services (1992-2005) changed to Administration (2005-2010); Enforcement, Environmental Monitoring
and Data Management (1993-2002) changed to Pest Management, Environmental Monitoring, Enforcement, and Licensing. Other divisions
are not so clearly explained: Pesticide Programs (2005-2010); State-Mandated Local Programs (1999-2005); Registration and
Health Evaluation (1993-2005); Pesticide Regulation (1992-1995).
Researcher note: Because this collection contains records from both the Department of Agriculture as well as the Department
of Pesticide Regulation, it is recommended that the researcher also consult the Department of (Food and) Agriculture's records.
The records of the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) consist of 14 cubic feet of textual records reflecting the agency's
administration of California's many and varied pesticide regulatory programs. The records are dated from 1950 to 2004, are
separated into three subgroups, and include ten record series. Because the records date from the time periods both before
and after the creation of DPR as its own agency, the names of two of the three sub-groups reflect an encapsulating description
rather than a literal agency division.
The Executive subgroup (1983-2004) contains the largest volume of records and includes the following records series: Bill
Files, Director's Subject Files, Director's Technical Files, Chief Deputy Director's Subject Files, and the Chief Deputy Director's
Technical Files. These series reflect the wide variety of information and functions administered for the agency by the executive
staff. This subgroup highlights legislation as well as policy, litigation, chemicals, and collaboration with other organizations
and agencies.
The Worker Health and Safety Branch sub-group contains one series, the Health and Safety Briefs. These briefs provide a snapshot
of the executive concerns and guiding policies from 1988 to 1994 as they pertain to those who are employed by companies or
agencies that use, create, distribute, or investigate pesticides.
The Pesticide Enforcement-Licensing subgroup (1950-1998) includes four record series. Three of these series reflect the state's
emphasis on the creation of an educated pesticide employee workforce. The Agricultural Pest Control Advisory Committee Files
pertain to the legally mandated development of qualifications and examinations for licensed pesticide advisers, operators,
and similar. The records found in the series titled Examinations can be seen as examples of the result of the Committee's
efforts. Later DPR would contract with the University of California, Davis (UCD) to develop and implement educational curriculum
and training for personnel of pesticide regulatory organizations, as seen in the Pesticide Regulation Education Program (PREP)
Files.
The final series is the Medfly Files. The invasion of the Medfly into Northern California was perceived as nothing short
of potentially disastrous, not only for the State but for the entire nation, to whom California provides a significant amount
of food crops. These files summarize interstate and intrastate coordination and cooperation as well as dialogue with relevant
federal bodies. The majority of this series, however, concern litigation surrounding the pesticide spraying that was used
to eradicate the Mediterranean fruit fly.
Further accruals are expected.
California Environmental Protection Agency. Department of Pesticide Regulation
California. Division of Pest Management
Mediterranean fruit-fly
Records of the Executive Office
R195.001, Box 1, folder 1 - Box 6, folder 11
Series 1 Bill Files 1983-1998
Physical Description:
150 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by legislative session, then numerically by bill number.
Scope and Content Note
Bill Files pertain to legislation of interest to the agency, whether by authoring or sponsoring the bill. Files include analyses,
reports, statistics, notes, background, press releases, memoranda, correspondence, and news clippings. Significant topics
include: pest control (AB294, AB2635, AB3916, 1983-1984); economic poisons (AB144, AB1211, AB2503, AB3018, AB3910, SB1601,
1983-1984; AB1286, 1987-1988); hazardous materials (AB2185, AB 2187, 1985-1986; SB356, 1989-1990); public records (AB567,
1985-1986); pesticide residue (AB1397, 1985-1986); pesticide exposure in children and fetuses (SB2475, 1987-1988; SB550, 1993-1994;
AB278, 1997-1998); air pollution (AB177, AB552, AB924, AB2369, AB2981, 1995-1996); occupational safety and farm laborers (AB318,
AB3146, 1991-1992; AB1930, 1993-1994); sewage waste (SB205, 1995-1996); organic food (AB1713, 1993-1994); endangered species
(AB426, 1993-1994); and pesticide monitoring (AB417, 1989-1990; SB661, 1997-1998).
1983-1984: AB294-AB3916 (4ff) Box 1/1-4
1983-1984: SB462-SB1792 (1ff) Box 1/5
1985-1986: AB22-AB3128 (6ff) Box 1/6-11
1985-1986: SB269-SB1889 (4ff) Box 1/12-15
1987-1988: AB414-AB4097 (15ff) Box 1/16-30
1987-1988: SB366-SB2475 (5ff) Box 2/1-5
1989-1990: AB311-AB4160 (14ff) Box 2/6-19
1989-1990: SB356-SB2864 (4ff) Box 2/20-23
1991-1992: AB816-AB3650 (7ff) Box 2/24-Box 3/3
1991-1992: SB46-SB1794 (12ff) Box 3/4-15
1993-1994: AB145-AB3787, ACA34, AJR68 (17ff) Box 3/16-Box 4/5
1993-1994: SB106-SB2070 (9ff) Box 4/6-14
1995-1996: AB116-AB3303 (6ff) Box 4/15-20
1995-1996: SB1-SB2062, SB1XXX (11ff) Box 4/21-Box 5/3
1997-1998: AB179-AB2757 (14ff) Box 5/4-17
1997-1998: SB62-SB2119, SJR44 (21ff) Box 5/18-Box 6/11
R195.002, Box 6, folder 12-Box 9, folder 8
Series 2 Director's Subject Files 1997-1998
Physical Description:
84 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject heading.
Scope and Content Note
The Director's Subject Files were created under the administration of Jim Wells and pertain to the many and varied topics
of interest to DPR. Files include records such as correspondence, reports, statistics, memoranda, calendars, contracts, speeches,
agendas, minutes, and publications. Significant topics include enforcement, the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA), the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Methyl Bromide, regulations, scientific review panels, and the University of California,
Davis (UCD). Organizations that frequently appear in the records of this series include the Association of American Pesticide
Control Officers (AAPCO), the Children's Health Protection Advisory Committee (CHPAC), the Watershed Protection Council (WPRC),
and the Structural Pest Control Board.
R195.003, Box 9, folder 9 - Box 10, folder 7
Series 3 Director's Technical Files 2003-2004
Physical Description:
37 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject heading.
Scope and Content Note
The Director's Technical Files were created under the administration of acting director Paul Gosselin and then later under
Mary-Ann Warmerdam. Files pertain to the many and varied topics of interest to DPR and include correspondence, reports, statistics,
memoranda, notes, background, agendas, and minutes. Recurring topics include the County Agricultural Commissioners, the Public
Records Act, registration, legislation, and integrated pest management.
R195.004, Box 10, folder 8-Box 12, folder 48
Series 4 Chief Deputy Director's Subject Files 1997-1999
Physical Description:
150 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject heading.
Scope and Content Note
The Deputy's Subject Files were created first under Jean-Marie Peltier and then later under Paul Gosselin. The files pertain
to the many and varied topics of interest to DPR and include correspondence, reports, speeches, memoranda, news clippings,
background, notes, agendas, minutes, and promotional materials. Significant topics include legislation, birth defects, endangered
species, Methidathion, environmental monitoring, the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA), the Natural Resources Defense Council,
Proposition 65, risk assessment, organization charts, and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural
Service.
R195.005, Box 13, folders 1-16
Series 5 Chief Deputy Director's Technical Files 2003-2004
Physical Description:
150 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject heading.
Scope and Content Note
The Deputy's Technical Files were created under the administration of Paul Gosselin and pertain to the many and varied topics
of interest to DPR. Files include correspondence, memoranda, reports, notes, statistics, and press releases. Significant
topics include environmental justice, fiscal services, medical toxicology, County Agricultural Commissioners (CAC), West Nile
virus, and the federal Environmental Protection Agency, and California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA).
Records of the Worker Health and Safety Branch
R195.006, Box 13, folder 17
Series 1 Health and Safety Briefs 1988-1994
Physical Description:
1 file folder
Arrangement
Arranged numerically by brief number.
Scope and Content Note
The majority of the Health and Safety Briefs date from the Department of Food and Agriculture, Worker Health and Safety Branch,
but continue through and after the creation of the Department of Pesticide Regulation. Numbered HSB-001 to HSB-024, these
briefs report analysis of specific chemical products or classifications of chemicals. Briefs include implications on health
and safety of both workers and consumers. Common recurring topics include chemical exposure, worker safety, and the Labor
Code.
Records of Pesticide Enforcement - Licensing
R195.007, Box 13, folders 18-31
Series 1 Examinations 1950-1989
Physical Description:
14 file folders
Access Information
This series contains five files which are restricted under the California Public Records Act, Government Code section 7929.605
(formerly section 6254(g)) (examinations for state employment).
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject heading.
Scope and Content Note
This series primarily contains exams and corresponding answer keys to the following state licensing tests: Certification of
Commercial Applicators, Pest Control Adviser, Pest Control Operator, Pilot, and Pilot's Apprentice. Not all exams include
answer keys; multiple booklets for the same exam are sometimes present. Other types of records, such as correspondence and
reports, are primarily found in the file titled "General." Topics of exams include weeds, orchards, rodents, aquatic, institutional,
ornamental gardens, and pesticide dealers.
R197.008, Box 13, folders 32-40
Series 2 Agricultural Pest Control Advisory Committee Files 1972-1973 1987
Physical Description:
9 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by date.
Scope and Content Note
The Agricultural Pest Control Advisory Committee was created by Chapter 1276 (Statutes of 1971) which also established the
licensing program for agricultural pest control advisers. The Committee was to advise the Director of the Department of Agriculture
on all matters concerning the education, examination, and qualifications of agricultural pest control advisers. Subcommittees
included: Qualifications, Examinations, Training, and Continuing Education.
The series comprises nine meeting files, eight of which are dated 1972-1973; the final file is from 1987. The files include
correspondence, reports, minutes, agendas, notes, and news clippings. Topics of interest include license renewal, specialization,
dosage, property rights, accreditation, endangered species, and groundwater.
R197.009, Box 14, folders 1-8
Series 3 Pesticide Regulation Education Program (PREP) Files 1995-1998
Physical Description:
8 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by year.
Scope and Content Note
Chapter 139 (Statutes of 1994) allotted the funding for DPR to contract with the University of California, Davis (UCD) to
develop an educational program for senior personnel of pesticide regulatory programs throughout the United States. This was
an expansion of similar training courses conducted by ICD between 1990 and 1994. The goals of PREP included: to develop,
enhance, and strengthen state and regional capabilities to regulate pesticides; enforce those regulations; prevent pollution;
and improve cooperation between regulatory agencies. The objectives included: assess training needs, design training and
format curriculum, implement the program, and continue development of national educational program.
The PREP Files contain correspondence, reports, memoranda, notes, federal grant applications, and interagency agreements.
The series includes the various documentation associated with administering the Program.
R197.010, Box 14, folders 9-25
Series 4 Medfly Files 1980-1985
Physical Description:
17 file folders
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject heading.
Scope and Content Note
The sudden invasion of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Medfly) in Northern California during the early 1980s was considered to
be a dire threat to California's economy, which is largely dependent on agricultural crops. The Medfly, originating in West
Africa and about the size of a house fly, lays eggs on or inside of host plants, preventing the plant's fruit from ripening
or otherwise damaging the plant. While stone fruits such as peaches are the most susceptible to the Medfly, the insect can
use many other types of plants as hosts including categories like citrus, nut, and ornamentals. It was estimated that more
than 2.5 million of acres of crops worth $4 billion were threatened by this insect. Because the Medfly had the potential
to spread quickly, the State of California decided to act swiftly and decisively in the areas already affected by spraying
pesticides on the crops, either directly or via aerial spraying.
The Medfly Files contain correspondence, reports, statistics, notes, background, memoranda, testimony, newsletters, brochures,
and meetings agendas. Significant topics include congressional briefings, the United States Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), and pilots/aerial spraying. The bulk of the series regards litigation. One example is that of individuals suing the
State of California due to health problems associated with the aerial spraying of pesticides; another example is the State
of Texas suing California due to trade discrepancies of consumable produce.