WSDA proposes to update county herbicide spray rules for eastern Washington
Washington Dept. of Agriculture’s plans to update the use restricted herbicide rules. This is a pre-proposal. More detail will be available in late summer. Public hearings are tentatively planned for mid-September. WSDA is encouraging feedback and comments about these suggested changes.
The Department is considering:
1. Amending nozzle and pressure requirements in the three WAC chapters to reflect current standards that applications must be made by creating a droplet spectrum size (e.g., medium, coarse or very coarse) that is in conformance with ASABE (American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers) standards;
2. Repealing the 85 degree Fahrenheit cut-off requirement in individual county rules since it is in the statewide rule (redundant);
3. Repealing maximum wind speed restrictions in individual county rules and adding a maximum 15 mph wind speed restriction to the statewide rules;
4. Repealing restriction in statewide rules that limits the addition of oil carriers and adjuvants to one pint per acre;
5. Repealing restrictions in individual county rules that prohibit use of oil type carriers for brush control during certain times of the year;
6. Repealing restriction in statewide rules that prohibits mixing, loading and equipment decontamination (also aircraft takeoff and landing) in a manner that causes damage to susceptible crops;
7. Repealing restrictions in counties and specific “Areas” of counties that limit mixing loading of aircraft to formulations that can be applied in the Area where the airstrip is located;
8. Repealing the prohibition in statewide rules on turning or flying low over cities, towns, residences and other sensitive sites;
9. Repealing the prohibition in the statewide rules for storing use-restricted herbicides in “Areas” where their use is prohibited unless they are in a sealed container and the outside of the container is not contaminated; and
10. Repealing the provision in the statewide rules that indicates application of use-restricted herbicides through irrigation is subject to the same requirements as ground applications except for nozzle size and pressure requirements.
Explanation of Possible Rule Changes to Chapters 16-230, 16-231 and 16-232 WAC – click below
Explanation_of_CR101_County_Herbicide_Rules_April_2017
