Yesterday Senators Crapo (R-ID) and McCaskill (D-MO) reintroduced legislation to end the need for a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for certain pesticide applications.

“NAWG applauds the introduction of this legislation that would bring regulatory clarity on pesticide applications and we urge the Senate to pass the bill,” said NAWG President, Brett Blankenship, wheat grower from Washtucna, Wash. “Growers are stewards of the land. Farmers are the original environmentalists. We follow application guidelines established by the EPA when applying any crop protection product to our field.”

Pesticide applications are regulated by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) with restrictions listed on the FIFRA approved label. Since 2011 an additional Clean Water Act NPDES permit has been required for certain pesticide applications. Those found out of compliance could be subject to daily fines. The legislation introduced this week would eliminate the need for the Clean Water Act permit, but retain the FIFRA regulation and any appropriate use restrictions on the label.

Senators co-sponsoring the legislation are Senator Jim Risch (R-ID), Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), John Boozman (R-AK), Tom Carper (D-DE), Chris Coons (D-DE), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Jim Inhofe (R-OK) Jerry Moran (R-KS), Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Thom Tillis (R-NC).