July 14, 2017 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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Be Aware of the Montana Pesticide Disposal Program and 2017 Disposal Sites

by Cecil Tharp, MSU Pesticide Education Specialist

Delaying removal of unused pesticide products often leads to corroded containers that pose unnecessary risks towards the environmental and human health. Pesticide applicators should be aware of the resources available for discarding pesticide waste. By following a few simple steps applicators can ensure that unused pesticides are discarded and disposed of legally and safely.

Disposing of Pesticide Waste

Applicators should use the Montana pesticide waste disposal program if they have unknown pesticide products (due to worn product label), unregistered pesticide products or unusable pesticides that are in need of disposal. The Montana pesticide waste disposal program began in 1994 and has collected more than 559,000 pounds of pesticide waste from more than 1,603 participants since its onset. Some delisted pesticide active ingredients commonly collected include DDT and 2,4,5-T. Costs for participating in the program are significantly lower than other pesticide disposal alternatives. The disposal fee is FREE for the first 200 pounds and $0.50/lb for amounts greater than 200 pounds. Licensed applicators and dealers receive credit for the portion of their license fees earmarked for the program.

Pesticide disposal program locations and dates are:

September 19th, 2017 – Kalispell, MT

September 20th, 2017 – Missoula, MT

September 21st, 2017 – Helena, MT

September 22nd, 2017 – Dillon, MT

Participants must pre-register their pesticide with the Montana Department of Agriculture before the event so the collection can be managed safely and efficiently. All materials including the pesticide disposal registration form can be downloaded from the Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) pesticide waste disposal site at http://agr.mt.gov/Pesticide-Waste-Disposal. Mail registration form to Montana Department of Agriculture, Pesticide Disposal Program, 54 East Larslan Road, Larslan, MT 59244.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact Carli Lofing for additional information regarding the MDA Pesticide Disposal or Container Recycling Program at (406)228-9512 or email [email protected]. For any other questions contact Cecil Tharp, Pesticide Education Specialist (406-994-5067, [email protected]).

May 15, 2017 Comments are off Montana Stockgrowers Association
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EPA Requests Comments on Extending the Timeline for Pesticide Applicator Rule

from Cecil Tharp (MSU Pesticide Education Specialist):

Pesticide applicators should be aware of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pesticide certification and training rule finalized on December 12th, 2016 and published in the Federal Register on January 4. 2017. The implementation of the final rule was extended to May 22nd, 2017; however the EPA is now proposing to extend the implementation of the final rule another 12 months to allow states and stakeholders more time to prepare. EPA has a comment period that expires May 19th to consider extending the final rule another 12 months.

Comments on this rule can be submitted to docket #EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0183
via: https://www.regulations.gov/ on or before May 19, 2017 after the Federal Register notice publishes. See the EPA press release for more details of this comment period.

Details Regarding the EPA Final Rule on Pesticide Certification and Training Rule

The proposed rule applies to those that apply restricted use pesticides (RUP) across the nation. Restricted use pesticides are those deemed by EPA as having the potential to cause unreasonable adverse effects to the environment and injury to applicators or bystanders without added restrictions. Only licensed applicators can use or purchase RUP’s. According to the EPA, stronger standards will reduce risks to applicators, communities and the environment from pesticide exposure. The increased competency requirements will impact approximately one million certified applicators across the nation; with approximately 5,600 private and 2,700 commercial/government applicators in Montana. Changes include a minimum age of 18 for all restricted use applicators with an exemption for private applicator immediate family members for a minimum age of 16, mandatory categories for certain applications, increased competency standards, and annual training for individuals working under the supervision of licensed restricted use pesticide applicators. States can expect variable impacts depending on their pre-existing state minimum requirements. See more details of the rule and impacts in Montana at: http://www.pesticides.montana.edu/documents/news/20170124_PN_EPA_CT.pdf.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: See the EPA certification training rule website. You can view the EPA comparison chart. For any additional questions feel free to contact Cecil Tharp, Pesticide Education Specialist (406-994-5067; [email protected]).