Pesticides

Pesticides and Water Quality State Management Plans

In October 1991, EPA published the Pesticides and Ground Water Strategy. This strategy provides a basis for Pesticides and Ground Water Management Plans (PMP*). Because of the diverse, localized nature of water quality, states are in a better position to manage pesticides to maintain that quality than a national pesticide label program. PMPs should provide states with a method for such management.

There are two types of management plans: generic management plans and pesticide-specific management plans. Generic PMPs are voluntary. They are considered a blueprint for developing pesticide-specific PMPs. Generic PMPs have no regulatory authority. Pesticide-specific PMPs can only be required by developing and publishing federal regulations in the Federal Register. Pesticide-specific PMPs can affect how a pesticide is used. If EPA determines a pesticide requires more management, states will be required to develop a pesticide-specific PMP or lose use of the pesticide in the state.

As the state lead agency for pesticides, the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) has been designated by EPA to coordinate the development of Missouri’s PMPs. However, this is a plan for the entire state and requires input from and cooperation with other state, federal, and local agencies, and private organizations. MDA has submitted our Generic PMP to and received concurrence from EPA Region VII.

Both the generic and specific PMPs contain twelve components. They are:

1. The state’s philosophy and goals;
2. Roles and responsibilities of state agencies;
3. Legal authority;
4. Resources;
5. Basis for assessment and planning;
6. Monitoring;
7. Preventative actions;
8. Response to detections;
9. Enforcement mechanisms;
10. Public awareness and participation;
11. Information dissemination; and
12. Records and reporting.

In June 1996, EPA published the proposed PMP rule in the Federal Register. The proposed rule lists atrazine, alachlor, metolachlor, simazine and cyanazine as the first five pesticides that will require PMPs. Due to the agreement to withdraw the cyanazine registration, it is expected that cyanazine will be dropped from the final rule. The final rule requiring PMPs is expected mid December 2000.

Several questions have developed about the PMP rule. One relates to whether isomers of the chemicals listed are included in the regulation.

Another question is how states are going to fund the development of the management plans.

Finally, in Missouri most pesticide and water quality issues relate to surface water. Every attempt will be made to tailor Missouri’s PMPs to the needs of the state. How the efforts will be directed toward the surface water needs in Missouri will be determined by how the final rule is written. At a minimum, Missouri’s PMPs will include the concept of managing pesticides for surface water concerns.

* PMP has been changed from SMP (state management plan) to include Tribal Plans.

For further information contact the Pesticide Program.