Background
The purpose of the Pesticide Management Plan Committee (PMPC) is to provide informed and diverse comment to the commissioner of agriculture for major water quality evaluation activities and decisions. The PMPC was established in 2005 in accordance with the Minnesota Pesticide Management Plan: A Plan for the Protection of Groundwater and Surface Water. This committee is one element of ensuring open and equitable comment on decisions for all MDA stakeholders.
The PMPC meets at least once per year to review the MDA’s annual water monitoring report. At the meeting, MDA staff present groundwater and surface water monitoring data from the previous year and discuss findings with the committee. For more information visit PMPC Meeting Agenda and Notes.
Membership
PMPC members are selected by the commissioner following the open appointment process (Minn. Stat. § 15.0597) and serve for two-year terms. PMPC membership includes representation from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Minnesota Department of Health, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, University of Minnesota Extension, farm organizations, farmers, environmental organizations, and industry, in addition to at-large members. The MDA appreciates the contributions that these individuals, and the organizations they represent, make in implementing Minnesota's plan for protecting groundwater and surface water.
The PMPC serves at the discretion of the commissioner, who establishes the final composition of the committee. In accordance with the Pesticide Management Plan, preference is given to candidates with relevant scientific credentials, broad representation of their interest group, and experience in Minnesota. Members of the committee should, but are not required to, have scientific expertise in areas such as hydrology, natural resources, pesticide chemistry, pesticide use, public health, soil chemistry, or toxicology. If you are interested in participating on the PMPC, please contact the MDA for more information. To view list of open positions and apply, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State Boards & Commissions website.
Current Members
| Position/Seat | Member Name |
|---|---|
| Minnesota Department of Health Representative | Deanna Scher |
| Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Representative | Jason Garms |
| Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Representative | William Cole |
| Industry Representative | David Flakne |
| Environmental Organization Representative | Howard Markus |
| Farm Organization Representative | Sergio Cabello Leiva |
| Farmer Representative #1 | Brandon Fast |
| Farmer Representative #2 | Steve Anderson |
| University of Minnesota Extension Service Representative #1 | Robert Koch |
| University of Minnesota Extension Service Representative #2 | Debalin Sarangi |
| At-Large Member #1 | Jerome Lensing |
| At-Large Member #2 | Jill Trescott |
| At-Large Member #3 | Mark Smith |
| Tribal Representative | Renee Keezer |
| Urban Pesticide Specialist | Christopher Aumock |
*Representation supported by Minn. Stat. § 18B.045 and the PMP (Chapter 9)
