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Updated 2/4/08

Buffers Imposed by the U.S. District Court Order 

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BUFFERS

The final ruling in Washington Toxics Coalition, et al., v. EPA establishes, with some exceptions, 20-yard (60 feet) buffers for ground applications and 100-yard buffers (300 feet) for aerial applications of certain pesticides around salmon-supporting waters. 

For background information on the court-mandated buffers, see Washington Toxics Coalition, et al., v. EPA.

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COUNTY MAPS

EPA has produced geographic information to assist pesticide users in understanding the specifics of the court ordered buffers around Pacific salmon-supporting waters. 

WSDA has also developed maps and corresponding data tables to assist pesticide applicators in identifying water bodies in Washington State that require buffer zones for certain pesticide applications.

To determine if a court-ordered buffer is required in Washington State for the application of a certain pesticide:

  1. Review the list of pesticides subject to buffer zones to see if the pesticide application requires a buffer zone for water bodies in a specific Evolutionary Significant Unit (ESU).

  2. Review the general exceptions to buffer zones to determine if the pesticide application is exempt from the buffer zone requirement.

  3. If the pesticide application requires a buffer zone, use the Washington State map (below) to select the county where the application will occur.

  4. Follow the instructions for viewing the County Maps to determine the water bodies that require buffer zones for pesticide applications. 

Click on a county name* to view a map identifying the water bodies that require buffer zones for pesticide applications in that county and follow the instructions.

* If a county is not named on the state map, StreamNet has not designated any water bodies in that county as habitat for a threatened or endangered salmonid ESU. An ESU, or "Evolutionary Significant Unit," is a distinctive group of Pacific salmon or steelhead, referred to as salmonids. The court-ordered buffer zones apply to any estuary that is habitat for a threatened or endangered salmonid ESU. StreamNet does not identify estuarine areas.

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NOTIFICATION

On Feb. 17, 2004, EPA published in the Federal Register a notice announcing the availability of the Jan. 22, 2004 ruling of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington in the case of Washington Toxics Coalition, et al., v. EPA. 

At the request of EPA, WSDA is posting this Federal Register notice and the final ruling to inform registrants, certified applicators and licensed pesticide dealers of the Jan. 22 order. 

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Related Topics

Pesticides subject to buffer zones

Final Ruling
(Jan. 22, 2004)