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Determining if a pesticide permit is needed

A new National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit went into effect November 1 and while the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created general permitting guidelines for states where they are the permitting authority, remaining states are authorized to develop and issue permits specific to their state. Linda Oros, spokesperson for the Ohio EPA says for Ohio farmers there is a way to determine if a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit is needed.

“I think the important thing to remember, where this permit is concerned, is that it effects any application that is in, over or near waters of the state,” said Oros. “The key words are in, over or near.”

Oros also tells Brownfield that as long as a farmer follows the label directions, there’s shouldn’t be an issue.

“Farmers need to make sure they pay close attention to application requirements by the manufacturer for the specific pesticide, herbicide or insecticide they are using and as long as those permit requirements are observed they should be within the rules,” Oros said.

Audio: Linda Oros, Ohio EPA (7:05 MP3)

More information is available on the Ohio EPA web site.