The PSUR Database Group was assembled in response to the Pesticide Reporting Law of 1996. The law mandated that Cornell University work in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to develop a database to store the reported pesticide data. The group is responsible for the processing, management and manipulation of all pesticide data beginning with the receipt of the electronic files from the data entry vendor and ending with the delivery of the pesticide reports to the Department. PLEASE NOTE: the PSUR Group does NOT handle questions regarding the use or sale of pesticides.

The members of the group bring a diversity of pesticide expertise, programming, database, and platform backgrounds to the database development effort. The group members and their roles are:

• Chet Brion - Database and System Administrator/Programmer
  
  
• David Lane - Programmer/Analyst
  
  
• Thornton Martin - Network Administrator
  
  
• Art Samplaski - IT Support Assistant
  
  
• Frank Smith - Systems Programmer/Analyst
  
  
• William Smith - Project Leader
  
  
• Robert Warfield - Assistant Project Leader/Analyst
  
  

The following objectives for developing and maintaining the database will be undertaken by the Pesticide Management Education Program (PMEP) at Cornell:

1. Work closely with DEC on the continued design, implementation and refinement of a pesticides sales and use computerized database system (DBS) for pesticide use information submitted on reporting forms. This system will utilize a data entry firm contracted by DEC. Develop and maintain related databases, such as the pesticide report-tracking database, that the DEC needs to fulfill the requirements of the Pesticide Reporting Law. Reports for each available year are available by clicking on the appropriate links on the Product-Based Reports page. The formal reports submitted to the state legislature are available here:
   
   •   Pesticide Annual Reports Submitted to the NYS Legislature
   
   To check whether your annual report has been logged by the NYSDEC for the current reporting year, click the following link:
   
   •   Reports Logged for Current Reporting Year
   
   The pesticide reporting forms for the current reporting year can be downloaded by clicking on the following link:
   
   •  Pesticide Reporting Forms
   
   Guidelines for electronic submission of pesticide reports are available from the following link:
   
   •   Electronic Reporting Guidelines
   
   An overview of the steps in the pesticide sales and use database workflow is available at the following link:
   
   •   Data Processing Workflow Overview
   
   
2. Work closely with DEC on the continued design, implementation and refinement of a pesticide sales and use DBS for pesticide use information submitted electronically. Also, provide a service bureau environment for those requiring assistance with electronic reporting.
   
   
3. Provide technical expertise to DEC and act in an advisory capacity relating to the development, implementation, and refinement of the DBS and related information systems. Assist DEC in reviewing/evaluating contracts, requests for proposals, etc., relating to the development of the DBS and related information systems (i.e., ParTest/ParScore).
   
   
4. Work with the data entry vendor to load each year's report data into the DBS. Cornell will validate the report data in accordance with DEC's requirements. Cornell will produce all the data summaries required by the legislation and any additional statistical summaries requested by DEC.
   
   
5. The DBS is dependent on related pesticide information from other satellite computer systems. Cornell will work closely with DEC in designing/redesigning, developing, and implementing these satellite data bases (business registration, certification, recertification course calendar, commercial permits, product registration/label images, enforcement, and a pesticide reporting interface with the certification system) as a function of the DBS. The systems will be redesigned to better accommodate the administrative and regulatory activities of DEC and to improve the quality of the data stored. The improvements will enhance DEC's and Cornell's ability to make use of these information resources. Cornell will develop mechanisms for DEC regional access to subsets of the satellite databases when requested to do so. Access will include internal DEC and Cornell's use and management of the information/data so that confidentiality is maintained.
   
   To date, the following satellite computer systems databases have been developed and implemented as a result of the Pesticide Reporting Law:
   
   
   • The Recertification Training Course Database
     
     
   • The Pesticide Product, Ingredient, & Manufacturer System (PIMS)
     
     
6. Maintain and enhance on-line mechanisms available through the program's website for querying of pesticide use information, product registration data, certification information, etc., by DEC, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), Cornell, qualified researchers, and the public, as mandated by the pesticide reporting legislation.
   
   
7. Provide/assist DEC with requests for pesticide reporting data from entities such as DEC, NYSDOH, the Health Research Science Board (within NYSDOH), the New York State legislature, other state and federal agencies, and the public.
   
   
8. Develop and maintain a database of pesticide product label images. This database will enable DEC to retrieve label images on-line and thus improve their product registration review capability. Cornell will scan and load newly registered label images into the database on a regular basis. Cornell will develop a mechanism for DEC regional staff and members of the public to access the label images via the Internet. Access to label information will be contingent on DEC's approval.
   
   
9. Convert the annual pesticide reporting data (volume and weight) into "pounds per active ingredient" amount(s) and provide data summaries as requested by DEC. Cornell will provide a mechanism to access the active ingredient data via the Internet.