"This Biological Opinion (Opinion) evaluated the effects of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) registration of the pesticides chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and malathion on the Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed species and designated critical habitats under the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) jurisdiction. These three pesticides belong to the organophosphate class of insecticides and are highly toxic to mammals, fish, and aquatic invertebrates. Current product labels permit use on a variety of sites including agricultural, developed, and forested lands. Additionally, malathion and chlorpyrifos are registered for use as mosquitocides that can be applied to a wide array of land types nationwide. Current application rates and application methods are expected to produce aquatic concentrations of all three pesticides that are likely to harm aquatic species as well as contaminate their designated critical habitats. Species and their prey residing in shallow aquatic habitats proximal to pesticide use sites are expected to be the most at risk"--Page i.

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)