Washington Department of Ecology Approves Herbicide Permit

SPOKANE – Those who plan to use herbicides to control nuisance weeds and algae in lakes and streams can now apply for a "general permit" that has been approved by the Washington Department of Ecology.

A general permit spells out the conditions under which herbicides may be safely applied so that water quality is protected. Applicants must demonstrate how they will comply with the conditions.

The permit also covers nuisance and noxious-weed-control activities for state and local transportation and parks agencies.

The departkment held two public hearings and workshops on the nuisance-weed permit, in Spokane and Lacey, to gather comments from the public.

In March 2001, an appeals court found that applications of aquatic herbicides to waterways were subject to the requirements of the federal Clean Water Act, meaning that people must obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit when aquatic pesticides are applied.  Previously, Ecology had regulated herbicide applications by issuing administrative orders. 
       
The use of aquatic herbicides is subject to the provisions of integrated pest management plans and is further restricted in salmon-bearing waters.  Permittees are required to monitor the water after the herbicide is applied. 

Copies of the nuisance-plant permit application are available on Ecology Web pages: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/pesticides/index.html, or by contacting Kathleen Emmett, Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, Wash.,  98504-7600, 360-407-6478.