Pesticide NPDES Permit Program

The MPCA finalized the four separate National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) / State Disposal System (SDS) Pesticide General Permits on November 16, 2011. Coverage under this permit is automatic for anyone discharging a biological pesticide or a chemical pesticide that leaves a residue to a water of the state until April 30, 2012.

After April 30, 2012, entities that exceed a threshold are required to submit an application for permit coverage — known as a Notice of Intent (NOI) — and pay an application fee. Those that do not exceed the threshold are not required to submit an NOI or an application fee, but are automatically covered by the permit and must comply with basic permit requirements.

Electronic NOIs (or eNOIs) are available on the MPCA's e-Services page. E-Services gives users online access to the NOI for permit coverage. Follow the link and sign up for an account.

Online help is available. After the application is found complete, you will receive authorization documents sent to the e-mail address associated with the account. Access the applicable permit below, as hard copies will not be sent via mail.

Pesticide General Permit Information Access

Go to the e-Services page to access your permit coverage card, coverage letter and facility report with contact information. Also, check the status of an application.

• Mosquito and Other Flying Insect Pest Control Pesticide General Permit (wq-wwprm9-00b) — NPDES/SDS General Permit MNG87A000
• Forest Canopy Insect Pest Control Pesticide General Permit (wq-wwprm9-00c) — NPDES/SDS General Permit MNG87B000
• Aquatic Nuisance Animal Pest Control Pesticide General Permit (wq-wwprm9-00d) — NPDES/SDS General Permit MNG87C000 — modified to accommodate APM permit holders (see above)
• Vegetative Pests and Algae Control Pesticide General Permit (wq-wwprm9-00e) — NPDES/SDS General Permit MNG87D000 — modified to accommodate APM permit holders (see above)

The MPCA public noticed these permits on January 18, 2011, and October 3, 2011. Comments were received during the public comment period, and the current drafts are based on these comments as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Draft Final Pesticide General Permit pre-published on April 1, 2011. EPA finalized the federal permit on October 31, 2011.

The MPCA collaborated with other state agencies to develop the permit and participated in several industry meetings to educate those affected by the permit on the new requirements. This permit will supply the MPCA with information on the types of pesticides used and the frequency of application in Minnesota waters, allowing the agency to make decisions about discharges, pollutants, synergistic effects, and other water-management issues.

Additional references on the MPCA Pesticide General Permit:

• Background Information: Pesticide NPDES Permit.
• Frequently-asked questions and answers.

Pesticide NPDES Permit Steps to Compliance

Steps to Compliance will help you decide if the permit affects you, learn what your responsibilities are, and show you what records to keep. Click on each Step to find out more. Shortcuts to forms and links to more information are provided in the Quick Links column and at the bottom of the page.  For reference, check the Permit Background information and Frequently Asked Questions pages.

Step Number	What Step is About	Quick Links
Step 1	Applicability and Thresholds Learn if this permit affects you, whether you exceed the thresholds, and what to do next.	Applicability flow chart (wq-wwprm9-04)
Step 2	Submit a Notice of Intent Learn how and when to submit a Notice of Intent.	MPCA e-Servcies page
Step 3	Requirements for Pesticide Dischargers Below Thresholds Learn what your requirements are if you are applying pesticides at amounts below Thresholds.	Summary checklist of requirements for pesticide dischargers below thresholds (wq-wwprm9-05a)
Step 4	Step 4a – Requirements for Mosquitoes and Other Flying Pests If you are required to submit a Notice of Intent and are treating for mosquitoes or other flying pests, follow these requirements.	Summary checklist of requirements for mosquitoes and other flying pest control (wq-wwprm9-05b)
	Step 4b– Requirements for Forest Canopy Insect Pests If you are required to submit a Notice of Intent and are treating for forest canopy insect pests, follow these requirements.	Summary checklist of requirements for forest canopy insect pest control (wq-wwprm9-05c)
	Step 4c – Requirements for Nuisance Aquatic Animals If you are required to submit a Notice of Intent and are treating for nuisance aquatic animals, follow these requirements.	Summary checklist of requirements for aquatic nuisance animal pest control (wq-wwprm9-05d)
	Step 4d – Requirements for Vegetative Pests and Algae If you are required to submit a Notice of Intent and are treating for vegetative pests or algae, follow these requirements.	Summary checklist of requirements for vegetative pest and algae control (wq-wwprm9-05e)
Step 5	Requirements for Large Pesticide Discharges Exceeding the Threshold If you are required to submit a Notice of Intent and considered a Large Entity, you must prepare a Pesticide Discharge Management Plan (PDMP) and submit an Annual Report.	EPA PDMP template  MPCA Annual Report form (coming January 2013)
Step 6	Report Adverse Incidents If you discover an Adverse Incident, you must report it immediately to the Minn. Duty officer, and submit a follow-up report to the MPCA within 15 days.	Adverse incident report form (PDF Version) (wq-wwprm9-02)
Step 7	Terminating your permit How and when to cancel your permit.	Permit Change Request Form (PDF Version) (wq-wwprm7-01)

Resource Links

• EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) - Pesticide Program
• EPA Agriculture - Office of Water
• EPA Office of Pesticides Program
• EPA Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
• American Mosquito Control Association Integrated Pest Management

Minnesota-based resources

• Department of Agriculture — Pesticides
• Department of Natural Resources — Aquatic Plant Management

Contact Information

For more information about this program, contact Elise Doucette  at 651-757-2316.