Pesticide label lists for specific use requirements The Nebraska Department of Agriculture has developed lists of specific, enforceable use requirements using a label text search utility offered through a subscription service. To date, two lists have been developed: one for posting sign requirements for protecting field workers and public areas; and one for restrictions to protect the quality of ground and surface waters. These lists were developed to raise the awareness of pesticide users of the types of restrictions found on pesticide labels. They can be found by clicking on the link on the Department of Agriculture Pesticide Program Web page. NDA Pesticide and Noxious Weed Newsletter, Summer 2006

During the spring planting months of April and May, NDA pesticide inspectors discovered a number of commercial and private applicators ignoring wellhead setbacks found on restricted-use corn herbicide labels. These violations were found during routine pesticide application observations where the inspector notifies the applicator that an observation will be made. Products containing alachlor, atrazine, dicamba, metolachlor and s-metolachlor all have 50-foot setbacks from all wellheads, whether the well is used or not. See the box (at right) on how to get a list of these types of restricitons and the products to which they apply.

It is understandable if an applicator applies herbicides to a field next to a farmstead with a wellhead hiding in the fenceline grass, but this does not exclude the applicator from following the label directions. Many of our observations found direct applications over large and obvious wellheads in fields. It has been over 10 years since EPA mandated wellhead setbacks for atrazine and, in that time, NDA found gradually improving compliance as more and more applicators received the word in certification training. However, the recent spate of wellhead setback violations appears to indicate intentional disregard for label restrictions.

NDA will pursue enforcement action against any applicator, private or commercial, who applies producers to areas prohibited on the label. It is a ground and surface water protection measure we simply cannot afford to relax on, as continued contamination of water resources can and well result in additional restrictions, or potentially, a total loss of the use of the herbicides causing the problem.

Numerous resources are available to help applicators make wise decisions regarding applications. For the examples listed above, the registered well database available on the Department of Natural Resources Nebraska Interactive Maps Web site should be checked prior to each application. This web site contains an interactive mapping function where the user can zoom in to the applicator site and plot registered wells along with many other map features, including roads, streams, section boundaries, and even color imagery. The resulting map could be retained as part of the applicat9ion record. Another tool at this site is the ground water level database, which contains historical and more recent ground water level measurements. This, along with a soil survey, could be useful in determining whether soils/organic matter/depth to ground water restrictions would prohibit an application at a particular site.

If you have questions concerning these resources or label restrictions contact the NDA pesticide program staff at (402) 471-2394.

Nebraska Department of Agriculture
Pesticide and Noxious Weed Newsletter, Summer 2006

Copyright 2006 by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. All rights reserved.

Published by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperating with the counties and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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