January 3, 2006 State tracks lawn sprays Registry warns residents before pesticide use By Ben Jones P-C Madison bureau chief MADISON - When Diane Schauer's neighbors applied pesticides to their property in the past, Schauer, who has environmental concerns, had no idea when it would occur. Now she does. Schauer, of Brillion, signed up for the state's Landscape Pesticide Advance Notice Registry, and now she gets a heads up whenever pesticide is about to be applied anywhere near her land. "It's really convenient," she said. People who want to be on the state's 2006 registry need to sign up soon. The deadline is Feb. 1. Robin Engel, a spokes-woman for the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, the agency that administers the program, said the new list will be mailed to companies that apply pesticides and will be in effect by mid-March. She said it's useful for people who are concerned about the effect of the chemicals on their children or pets. "They will have a little forewarning," Engel said. In 2005, 1,060 homeowners listed about 15,000 properties on the registry. Lawn and landscape companies are required to notify people on the registry at least 12 hours before they are going to apply pesticides. Notification can begin as soon as pesticides are applied, which can be as early as March. The notice gives info on the landscape firm, the address to be treated and the scheduled application date. Companies working on properties flagged by the registry also are required to put up signs warning of the chemicals. Ben Jones can be reached at 608-255-9256, or by e-mail at bjones@postcrescent.com. To sign up To join the state's free pesticide notification registry, obtain a form from Debra Viedma, Landscape Registry Coordinator, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, P.O. Box 8911, Madison, WI 53708-8911 or call 608-224-4616. Or download a form at the agency's Web site: www.datcp.state.wi.us (or from the direct link below). Find the form by searching for "landscape registry." Completed forms must be returned by Feb. 1. http://www.datcp.state.wi.us/arm/agriculture/pest-fert/pesticides/lndscp_reg_faq.jsp http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060103/APC0101/601030548/1003