A permit is now required for certain pesticide applications made to waters of the United States. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a NPDES Pesticide General Permit (PGP), which covers point source discharges of pesticides in certain areas. The remaining states and the Virgin Islands are not covered by the EPA issued PGP. These states are authorized to develop and issue their own NPDES pesticide permits which can be more, but not less, restrictive than the EPA's PGP. If you need information about how to obtain a permit, you can find local contacts here.

What does the EPA Pesticide General Permit (PGP) Cover?

The PGP covers only those pesticide applications where pesticides will be applied into "waters of the U.S." and which fall into certain usage categories, including:

• Mosquito and other flying insect pest control
• Weed and algae control
• Animal pest control
• Forest canopy pest control

Specific use patterns not covered by the PGP may not require a permit. For example, agricultural storm water runoff and irrigation return flow do not require a permit under federal rules.

What is required of me by the EPA Pesticide General Permit (PGP)?

In addition to following the label directions, the permit requires the applicator to:

• Minimize discharges by using Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
• Submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) prior to discharge (when applicable)
• Demonstrate compliance through written record keeping
• Monitor and report adverse incidents to the EPA Regional Office, State Lead Agency and additionally to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) or United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), when applicable
• Comply with additional requirements for those discharging into waters containing National marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) listed resources of concern

This is the minimum list of requirements. Your state-issued permit might include additional steps. Find a contact person in your state for more information.

Additional Resources:

• Pesticide Permit Decision Tool - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) - Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)
• EPA's Electronic Pesticide General Permit Notice of Intent (eNOI) - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• NPDES Contacts (headquarters, regional, and state) - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• NPDES Pesticides FAQs - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Definition of "Waters of the United States" under the Clean Water Act - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Definition of "Point Source" - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Endangered and Threatened Species and Critical Habitat Protection under EPA's Pesticide General Permit - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

If you have questions about this, or any pesticide-related topic, please call NPIC at 800-858-7378 (8:00am - 12:00pm PST), or email at npic@ace.orst.edu.