Updated 07/05/06

Chemigation & Fertigation Technical Assistance Program

The purpose of the Chemigation and Fertigation Technical Assistance program is to assist individuals who chemigate and fertigate in protecting human health and the environment from the potential hazard of improper fertilizer and pesticide use. This is to be achieved by increasing operator understanding of the potential impact that chemigation and fertigation have on ground and surface water, fostering an awareness of relevant legislation, and conveying the need for appropriate management practices through technical assistance.

WSDA staff will pursue voluntary compliance as the desired means to achieve compliance with federal law and state rules. This will be accomplished through technical assistance, which may include:

• generating and distributing reference materials,
• providing individual consultation, 
• performing on-site visits when requested, and 
• conducting educational programs.

However, should an operator decide not to pursue system or application compliance by means of technical assistance, the standard WSDA compliance inspection process may be initiated. WSDA fully anticipates that complete compliance with pesticide labeling and with the chemigation and fertigation rules will be met, whether or not WSDA staff participate in the process. The responsible applicator is obligated to ensure that a chemigation or fertigation application is compliant with all relevant laws and rules.

The Technical Assistance Program is conducted out of the WSDA's Moses Lake office by Pesticide Management Division staff, who have statewide responsibility.

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