From: Robina Suwol
Date: 25 Nov 2006
Time: 03:45:52
Remote Name: 69.149.58.203
EPA Issues Final Rule On Aquatic Pesticide Applications
WASHINGTON, D.C.
November 21, 2006 8:02am
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Spells out when no permit needed . 'Strengthens and streamlines,'
EPA claims The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued a final rule that it says clarifies two specific circumstances in which a Clean Water Act permit is not required before pesticides are applied.
The two situations are when:
1. pesticides are applied directly to water to control pests, including mosquito larvae, aquatic weeds and other pests in the water, and,
2. pesticides are applied to control pests that are present over or near
water where a portion of the pesticide will unavoidably be deposited to the
water in order to target the pests effectively.
After considering two rounds of public comments, the EPA says the Clean Water Act does not require permits in these two situations. "This clean water rule strengthens and streamlines efforts of public health officials and communities to control pests and invasive species while maintaining important environmental safeguards," says EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Benjamin Grumbles.
The final rule replaces EPA's "interpretive statement" on the application of pesticides to waters in compliance with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, published on Feb. 1, 2005.
http://www.centralvalleybusinesstimes.com/stories/001/?ID=3621