AUGUSTA — Residents who want to be notified of pesticide spraying near their homes must sign up on the Maine Board of Pesticides Control’s website by Tuesday.
The address is: http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/pesticides/public/registry.htm
While most people will never be affected by the aerial spraying, about 1,470 had registered by Friday, according to Henry Jennings, director of the Maine Board of Pesticides Control.
The registry was set up last fall with a sign-up deadline of March 15, Jennings said. However, since only 525 had done so by then, legislators spent $25,000 to spread the word about the do-not-spray list and extending the deadline to June 15.
Once a person is on the registry, they can expect to receive a one-day notice of applicable pesticide applications made within 1,320 feet (500 feet for fruit trees and Christmas trees) from their property. Those who sign up by June 15 will not be notified until after July 1.
Those who do not have Internet access may request a printed form from the board and return it by mail.
Next year, new registrants must sign up by March 15.
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