Background
The MDA is the lead state agency carrying out all aspects of pesticide and fertilizer environmental and regulatory functions. These authorities are described in the Pesticide Control Law (Minn. Stat. Chapter 18B) and the Groundwater Protection Act (Minn. Stat. Chapter 103H).
The Pesticide Management Plan (PMP, November 2007) (PDF) is a guidance document for the prevention, evaluation and mitigation of occurrences of pesticides or pesticide breakdown products in groundwaters and surface waters of the state, and is a requirement of the Pesticide Control Law (Minn. Stat. § 18B.045). The PMP includes components promoting prevention, developing appropriate responses to the detection of pesticides or pesticide breakdown products in groundwater and surface waters, and providing responses to reduce or eliminate continued pesticide movement to groundwater and surface water. The PMP is to be coordinated with other state agency plans and with other state agencies through the Department of Administration's Environmental Quality Board. PMP development included the University of Minnesota Extension Service, farm organizations, farmers, environmental organizations, and industry.
Revisions
The MDA completed revisions to the PMP in November 2007. Development of the first PMP began in 1990, and was completed in 1996 (with minor revisions in 1998, and additional revisions published in June 2005). A February 2006 audit of MDA pesticide programs conducted by the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor included recommendations for further revisions to the PMP to better address issues of urban pesticide use, aquatic pesticides, and product registration. The MDA sought comment on the proposed revisions from July 16 through September 13, 2007, and published the current PMP in November 2007.
On December 30, 2019, the MDA announced its intent to revise the 2007 PMP in the Minnesota State Register (Volume 44, Number 27) and opened a 75-day comment period ending March 13, 2020. Revisions are currently underway.
Implementation and Status Report
Implementation of the PMP to date includes the development, promotion and evaluation of pesticide-specific Best Management Practices (BMPs) as a response to the presence of pesticides in Minnesota's groundwater or surface water from normal agricultural use. The MDA also coordinates water quality monitoring data review through the Pesticide Management Plan Committee and through interagency cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to evaluate the pesticide human health and environmental impacts. Additional information regarding the Pesticide Management Plan Committee, MDA's pesticide BMPs, and Agricultural Chemical Monitoring & Assessment is available.
The Pesticide Control Law (Minn. Stat. §18B.045) directs the MDA to submit a biennial Pesticide Management Plan Status Report to the Environmental Quality Board and to the House of Representatives and Senate committees with jurisdiction over the environment, natural resources, and agriculture. Copies of the previous Pesticide Management Plan Status Reports are available in the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library.
Notification
Notifications of activities related to the state Pesticide Management Plan (PMP), pesticide BMPs, pesticide use, water quality monitoring and related issues will be made via the Non-point Source Pesticide Information distribution list (list serve). To subscribe to the Non-point Source Pesticide Information distribution list complete the online form.
