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Endangered Species Protection

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Endangered Species Protection

The Endangered Species Act (ESA)

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) was passed into federal law to protect threatened and endangered species in danger of extinction. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for implementing the ESA through making registration descisions to ensure that pesticides do not jeopardize listed species or destroy critical habitats. If EPA determines a pesticide could adversely impact a listed species, mitigation measures may be added to pesticide labels. In addition, an Endangered Species Protection Bulletin may be added as an extension of the pesticide label. Bulletins outline geographically specific use limitations to pesticide applications or mitigation measures. 
 

How will this impact pesticide users?

Many pesticide labels could have changes that could include:
  • Mitigation measures to reduce pesticide runoff, erosion, and spray drift.
  • The requirement to check the EPA's Bulletins Live! Two website and follow current ESA use limitations for the pesticide product in the bulletin.​
  • Instructions to reach a certain number of "mitigation points" following EPA's Mitigation Menu
 

WSDA's Role

WSDA works with Washington's regulated community to develop a local plan for protecting threatened and endangered species while minimizing the impact on the state's pesticide users. Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences (NRAS) Program gathers site-specific pesticide use, surface water monitoring, and crop-mapping data, and develops geospatial analysis tools to assess the potential impacts of pesticides on threatened and endangered species. WSDA's Pesticide Compliance Program enforces pesticide laws, including new ESA pesticide label requirements.
 

Mitigation Measures


Learn more about run off/erosion mitigation options, spray drift reduction requirements, and the point system.

Mitigation Measures

ESA Engagement


Learn about WSDA's role in the ESA process and how you can get involved!

Endangered Species Pesticide Bulletin


The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) now requires pesticide users to look up a Bulletin if stated on the pesticide label. A Bulletin is an extension of the pesticide label that provides additional information about application restrictions for the protection of threatened and endangered species. Pesticide Use Limitation Areas (PULAs) may limit the application area, timing, or type of pesticide that can be used. 

Endangered Species Pesticide Bulletin

Pesticide Stewardship Program


The Pesticide Stewardship Program works with farming communities throughout Washington State to support farmers through upcoming pesticide regulation changes. Learn how you can get involved and provide feedback.