The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has primary responsibility in Washington State for enforcing the federal pesticide statutes and regulations as authorized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The WSDA also jointly enforces federal and state laws, as designated, with other state agencies, such as the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) and the Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE).
Sometimes, that authority concerning pesticide- and human safety-issues needs to be further distinguished and explained. In such cases, to supplement or to clarify its authorities as granted by USEPA and by the state legislature, the WSDA may develop and implement general policy statements and write interpretative documents, with the purpose to encourage compliance. These general policy statements and interpretative documents represent WSDA’s official interpretation of legislation, disposition on an issue, or stance with regard to exercising its discretionary authority.