NPDES Permits

Due to a new court ruling with regard to the National Pesticide Discharge Elimination System, changes have been made in the pesticide permitting requirements. The court stated that an NPDES permit is required when pesticides are applied to, over or near waters of the US. This ruling applies to all private water owners, with damned ponds or lakes having outflow to waters of the State. If the pond owner intends to treat ponds with outflows for algae and/or aquatic vegetation, they must fill out and submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to receive coverage under the General Pesticide NPDES Permit.

The University of Illinois Pesticide Safety and Education Program has a summary of this new requirement as well as some Frequently Asked Questions.

Additional information can be found on the IFISH website.