The Dalles Area Orchards Integrated Fruit Production, A project to reduce the use of OP pesticides
Title:  Accelerate the Application of Integrated Fruit Production to Reduce the Risk of Pesticide Pollution in Fifteenmile Sub-basin Orchards

BPA Project #200102200,  BPA Contract #00005254
Budget Period:  January 1, 2005 - December 31, 2005

Project Sponsor: Wy' East Resource Conservation and Development Area
Project Contact: Mike Omeg, Tree Fruit Entomologist, Wy'East RC&D
2325 River Road, Suite 2, The Dalles, OR 97058
(541) 296-2391 x102, mike.omeg@wyeastrcd.org

Summary  
A project to prevent pesticide pollution from orchard operations in the Fifteenmile Sub-basin, 17070105, at The Dalles.  The Wasco County Fruit and Produce League orchard growers' objective is to implement Integrated Fruit Production (IFP) practices with special attention on pest management.

Growers will reduce the use of broad-spectrum pesticides replacing them with new generation less toxic pesticides.  The new generation pesticides reduce the risk of pollution to land and aquatic resources affecting salmon and other endangered species.  The use of less toxic pesticides requires growers to be more precise in the timing of the application of these pesticides because they do not persist in the environment like broad-spectrum pesticides.  Growers will use a network of remote weather stations in orchards to collect precise weather data to calculate pest and disease degree-day models for specific orchard sites.  Orchard growers will use the degree-day models and data to make better decisions and to make precise timed applications of new generation pesticides.

GOAL: ACCELERATE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INTEGRATED FRUIT PRODUCTION PRACTICES TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF BROAD-SPECTRUM PESTICIDES USED TO CONTROL PESTS.  Promote natural, cultural, biological, bio-technical and less toxic pesticides to control pests in Fifteenmile Sub-basin orchards which will minimize the risk of water pollution or damage to fish and wildlife species such as salmon and steelhead.

OBJECTIVE 1: OPERATE AND MAINTAIN A NETWORK OF REMOTE ORCHARD WEATHER STATIONS that enable orchard growers to use predictive degree-day models and management information systems to ensure that pesticide applications are timely and precise.  Criteria for success.  Orchard growers will change current pest-management practices by reducing the total amount of OP pesticides applied to orchard crops.  By the end of 2005, 80% or 6,000 acres of orchards will be managed using IFP practices.  (There are approximately 7,500 acres of orchards in Wasco County, 150 landowners who own orchards, and 75 growers actively managing orchards).  Time Frame to begin is January 2004 and complete by December 2005.  Target Group: Orchard growers in Fifteenmile Watershed.

OBJECTIVE 2: INFORMATION TRANSFER.  Create the ability for orchard growers to apply Integrated Fruit Production practices to incorporate integrated pest management into orchard management operations.  Criteria for success: Seek 100% adoption of IFP practices by orchard growers through cooperative efforts such as education and technical assistance activities.  Information is "personalized" to meet grower need.  Reach 10 community groups about the importance of IFP by orchard growers, the benefits to the community and the restoration of stream habitat.  Present lessons learned to orchard grower groups in the Columbia Basin.  Target Group: orchard growers and community groups.

OBJECTIVE 3: WATER QUALITY MONITORING.  Continue to improve our understanding of pesticides in Fifteenmile Sub-basin orchards and evaluate the impact of IFP practices designed to reduce OP pesticides in streams.  Work with specialists from Oregon State University, the Oregon Department of Agriculture, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, EPA, and other sources to develop a sampling protocol which accurately assesses the types and amounts of pesticides which enter area streams.  These data will be used to improve farm conservation plans and identify areas which require specialized IFP techniques which reduce spray drift.  Criteria for success: Determine the extent of pesticides in Fifteenmile Sub-basin streams affected by orchards.

OBJECTIVE 4: MONITORING & EVALUATION.  Begin a process of adaptive management that uses monitoring, evaluation, and experimentation to provide information to adjust resource management decisions as needed.

OBJECTIVE 5: PROJECT MANAGEMENT The Wy'East RC&D will be responsible for all project coordination, making sure the work plan is followed and equipment and service providers are paid in a timely manner.  Making timely progress reports to all grantors and requesting progress payments.