May 15th, 2026
Pesticide Use in Orange County
Orange County’s creeks, rivers, streams and waterways are home to some of the most unique ecosystems and wildlife in California. In many regions, these habitats intersect and overlap with the State’s flood mitigation infrastructure, including flood channels and floodwalls. Pesticides, including herbicides, are commonly used on existing flood mitigation infrastructure during maintenance to limit the growth of fauna that may cause structural damage. However, because the misuse or exposure to pesticides can pose significant environmental and health risks, there are strict regulations on the permitted types, quantities and application methods of pesticides.
The use of pesticides is a prominent issue in Orange County, with a number of constituents and groups raising concerns about improper use and the potential environmental, ecological and health impacts of pesticides. We applaud these constituents for bringing attention to the importance of pesticide safety standards and the need for careful pesticide use within the county.
The regulation and use of pesticides in Orange County involves a number of overlapping stakeholders at the local, county, and state levels, each with its own role and responsibilities. These stakeholders include the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, who manage California’s diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources; the California Department of Pesticides, who are responsible for evaluating pesticides for potential risks; the State Water Resources Control Board, who are responsible for the management of water usage and to protect water quality; and both the Orange County Public Works and the Orange County Agricultural Commissioner, who oversee and manage local programs to protect California’s agriculture, environment, and the public’s health and safety, including pesticide enforcement, pest exclusion, detection, eradication, and management.
While the State Legislature is responsible for introducing legislation regarding the legality and regulation of pesticides, the implementation of these laws is the responsibility of state agencies, departments and local governing bodies.
Due to the hazardous nature of pesticides, they must be regulated, monitored and applied in strict compliance with state and federal laws. To the extent permissible under existing law and regulations, and to ensure transparency and accountability, it is also necessary that the public be provided with up-to-date information on pesticide use within the county.
In light of recent concerns and alleged pesticide misuse and misapplication in Orange County, we, the undersigned members, urge the relevant departments, local authorities and parties involved in pesticide spraying and enforcement to ensure that each of these claims is thoroughly investigated.
We, the undersigned members, also urge transparency and collaboration from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the California Department of Pesticides, the State Water Resources Control Board, the Orange County Agricultural Commissioner, and Orange County Public Works to continue to uphold the highest safety standards and adherence to existing laws when using pesticides throughout Orange County.
Please feel free to reach out to any of our offices regarding the use and regulation of pesticides within Orange County.
Sincerely,
