February 7, 2017

Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) introduced the Sensible Environment Protection Act (S.340) on February 7. The act will remove an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation requiring permits for pesticide spraying over or near waterways.

This bill will reverse a federal court decision requiring the EPA to issue permits for pesticide spraying over navigable U.S. waterways. Sen. McCaskill states that this rule is redundant because the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), which was first enacted in 1910, already governs the sale, distribution, and use of pesticides.

The bill acts to remove EPA mandates implemented under the Clean Water Act to issue permits for pesticide application near water. The bill also would require the EPA to create a report that evaluates whether FIFRA can be modified to better protect environmental and human health.

The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works is currently reviewing the bill.

Source: Congress.gov