About Water Quality and Pesticides

What is the state doing to protect water quality from pesticides?

As the state lead agency for FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, Rodenticide Act), the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) Pesticides Program holds the primary responsibility for pesticide registration and use regulation within the State of Oregon. ODA ensures that all licensed applicators are trained and examined on pesticide label comprehension, how pesticides can impact aquatic life, buffers next to waterways, and how to prevent drift, runoff, and ground water contamination. Additionally, as new information becomes available or concerns arise, ODA sends out relevant advisories to all licensed applicators. In addition, ODA has a pesticide enforcement program to ensure that pesticides are being used in accordance with the label, and all state and federal laws.

ODA is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of the Pesticide Management Plan (PMP) for the state of Oregon. This plan, detailed below, was created to ensure pesticides are managed in a manner that protects Oregon rivers and lakes and aquatic life.

What is the Pesticide Management Plan for Water Quality Protection

The Pesticide Management Plan for Water Quality Protection outlines the roles, policies and legal authorities of each government agency with the responsibilities for protecting Oregon's water resources from pesticides and the process by which these activities will be coordinated. State Lead Agencies for pesticide regulation, such as ODA, have a cooperative agreement with the US EPA, and are required to have a method or plan to ensure that pesticides do not adversely affect the nation's water resources. ODA is required to report the results of efforts to EPA.

One of the methods for enacting the Pesticide Management Plan is the Pesticide Stewardship Partnership program. This voluntary program uses water quality data to assess the levels of pesticides in streams and if needed, create educational programming around pesticide use. The water quality data is also used to determine pesticides of concern (POC) for the state. The POCs determine the focus of educational and technical programs annually.

Pesticides of High Concern, 2024

• Diuron
• Imidacloprid
  
• Oxyfluorfen
  
• Sulfometuron methyl
  

Pesticides of Moderate Concern, 2024

• Pesticide Stewardship Partnership webpage