EPA Pesticide Regulations

The Environmental Protection Agency announced a new pesticide permit system Wednesday to help limit the amount of pesticides discharged into waterways throughout the United States. Under the regulations, pesticide users would be required to use the lowest effective amount of pesticide near waterways, prevent leaks and monitor and report incidents.

"EPA believes this draft permit strikes a balance between using pesticides to control pests and protecting human health and water quality," said Peter S. Silva, Assistant Administrator for EPA's Office of Water.

The proposed system was created in response to a U.S. Court of Appeals ruling last year, which found pesticides dumped into U.S. waters should be considered pollutants, requiring a permit. The ruling overturned a 2006 Bush administration decision that exempted certain pesticides from the Clean Water Act.

The ruling will eventually "stifle job creation in rural America," said Senator James Inhofe, R-Okalahoma, to The New York Times. "EPA will now have to process 5.6 million new pesticide applications per year, which will hinder farm operations and add significant costs to both producers and consumers of agriculture."

EPA will accept written comments on the draft permit through the next few months, and plans to finalize the permit process in December. The regulations are expected to take effect April 9, 2011.