FAIRFAX, Va. — In January, 2009, a Federal Appeals Court ruled that costly and burdensome Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge and Elimination System (NPDES) permits are required for millions of pesticide applications. The ruling will go into effect in April and may impact many pest management professionals, especially those performing mosquito and aquatic weed treatments.

Click here to see the NPMA position paper and click here to see the press release from the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

NPMA has been working with the administration and Congress on this issue for a number of years and we now have our best opportunity to reverse this decision.  On Wednesday, 22 U.S. House members of both parties filed H.R. 872, the “Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2011.”  The bill will exempt lawful pesticide applications from the requirement to obtain an NPDES permit.  NPMA’s goal is to include the bill in the continuing resolution to fund the government that Congress will consider in two weeks.

It’s vitally important that members of Congress hear from PCOs on this issue. NPMA encourages members to use the link below to send a pre-written message to their Congressman.  It will only take a moment.
If you have questions or comments, contact Bob Rosenberg or Gene Harrington at rosenberg@pestworld.org or gharrington@pestworld.org.

Click the link below to log in and send your message:
http://www.votervoice.net/link/target/npma/NRRG2RNK.aspx