ODA staff available for free instruction to pesticide users on filing PURS reports

ODA offers Pesticide Use Reporting System classes

March 14, 2007... The Oregon Department of Agriculture will be offering free one-on-one help and instruction starting next month to pesticide users required to report their 2007 usage to the statewide Pesticide Use Reporting System (PURS). Classes will be held at several community colleges and other locations throughout the state during April and May. PURS help classes will also be offered this fall.

PURS became operational in January. The electronic reporting system allows pesticide users to register and submit information to a secure Web site that will confidentially collect, summarize, and retain data. PURS will provide information on what pesticides are being used in Oregon, in what quantities, and generally where they are being applied.

At the PURS help classes, ODA staff will be available, in a computer lab, to provide individualized help to pesticide users on registering and filing actual reports into the PURS system. Users will need to bring their pesticide application records to take advantage of the classes. Locations, dates, and times of the classes are as follows. Unless otherwise noted, pre-registration is not needed and individuals are welcome to show up at any time during the class:

•  Bend – April 3, 7:15 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Central Oregon Community College, Ponderosa Building, Room 103. Call (541) 383-7273 for more information. A 30 to 45 minute PURS overview presentation will take place first before moving to the computer lab for one-on-one assistance.

•  Ontario – April 4, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Treasure Valley Community College, Vo-Tech Building, Room 23. Call (541) 881-8822 ext. 303, 407, or 281 for more information.

•  Gresham – April 5, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Mt. Hood Community College, Small Business Center, Room 311. Please pre-register by calling (503) 491-7658.

•  Oregon City – April 9, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Clackamas Community College, Clairmont Building, Room 134. Call (503) 657-6958 for more information.

•  Roseburg – April 11, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Umpqua Community College, Small Business Center, Room 13. Call (541) 440-4669 for more information.

•  Brookings-Harbor – April 12, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., South Coast Business Employment Center (in Harbor). Call (541) 469-5306 for more information.

•  Grants Pass – April 17, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Rogue Community College, Small Business Center, SBCD Computer Lab. Call (541) 956-7494 for more information.

•  White City (Medford area) – April 17, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Rogue Community College Table Rock Campus, Library Lab TRC 1271. Call (541) 772-3478 for more information.

•  Klamath Falls – April 18, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Oregon Institute of Technology Learning Resource Center (Library), Room 113. Call (541) 885-1760 for more information.

•  John Day – April 20, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Grant-Union High School Library. Call (541) 575-1911 for more information.

•  Seaside – April 23, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Clatsop Community College, Small Business Center, Computer Lab. Call (503) 738-3346 for more information.

•  Salem – April 25, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Chemeketa Community College, Small Business Center (TED Center), Main Classroom. Call (503) 399-5088 for more information.

•  Moro – May 2, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sherman High School Agriculture Classroom. Call (541) 565-3230 for more information.

•  The Dalles – May 2, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Columbia Gorge Community College, Small Business Center, Building 1, Room 334. Call (541) 506-6121 for more information.

•  Lincoln City – May 7, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Oregon Coast Community College, Small Business Center, Room 101. Call (541) 994-4166 for more information.

•  Eugene – May 9, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Lane Community College, Small Business Center, Wildish Building, Room 106. Call (541) 463-5255 for more information.

•  Coos Bay-North Bend – May 10, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Southwestern Oregon Community College, Small Business Center. Call (541) 756-6866 for more information.

•  Hermiston – May 14, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Blue Mountain Community College Hermiston Campus, Computer Lab Room 210. Call (541) 567-1800.

•  Pendleton – May 15, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Blue Mountain Community College, Umatilla County Extension Office. Call (541) 278-5403 for more information.

•  Boardman – May 16, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Blue Mountain Community College, Morrow County Center. Call (541) 481-2099 for more information.  

Those required to report to PURS include any person who applies a pesticide in the course of business, or for a government entity, or in a public place. Pesticide users need to keep records of their usage for 2007 and electronically report it no later than January 31, 2008.

PURS is available at www.oregon.gov/ODA/PEST/purs_index.shtml

Additional information about the system and its requirements are also available on the Website.

For more information on PURS, contact Sunny Jones at (503) 986-6466