The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls water pollution into waters of the United States. It does this by controlling sources that discharge pollutants. The permit program is authorized by the Federal Clean Water Act of 1972.
Requirements
An Oregon NPDES pesticide general permit is required for some pesticide applications, in, over, or near waters of the state. It is implemented in Oregon by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) under an agreement with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The permit regulates pesticide applications in, and near water to control:
- Mosquitoes and other flying insect pests
- Weeds and algae
- Nuisance animals
- Forest canopy pests
- Other pests that must be controlled under area-wide programs
Groups and property owners responsible for pesticide applications in the categories listed above must comply with basic requirements of the permit. In some situations, a higher level of permit conditions is required for all federal and state agencies, weed and vector control districts. This may also apply to other entities that exceed annual treatment area thresholds.