American Soybean Association (ASA) joined nearly 100 organizations in supporting an amendment to S. 659, the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2015, which would clarify that federal law does not require this redundant permit for already regulated pesticide applications. The amendment, previously introduced as stand-alone legislation S. 1500, the Sensible Environmental Protection Act, was adopted by a vote of 12-8 at a mark-up Wednesday in the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) committee.

ASA has a long history of support to undo the duplicative permitting requirement for pesticide applications over water. Pesticide users are now subjected to the court created requirement that lawful applications over, to or near ‘waters of the U.S.’ obtain a Clean Water Act (CWA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or delegated states. The letter states, “Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), all pesticides are reviewed and regulated for use with strict instructions on the EPA approved product label. A thorough review and accounting of impacts to water quality and aquatic species is included in every EPA review. Requiring water permits for pesticide applications is redundant and provides no additional environmental benefit.”

ASA applauds the Senate EPW committee for including this amendment to S. 659. To read the full text of the letter click here.