The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has introduced new digital tools designed to help pesticide applicators comply with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) mitigation requirements. These requirements, which have expanded in recent years, require applicators to implement runoff and spray drift mitigation measures before certain agricultural pesticides can be legally applied. These measures aim to reduce off-target pesticide movement into critical habitats that support threatened or endangered species.
Mitigation options vary based on surrounding habitat features, environmental conditions, cultural practices, and application methods. For runoff, applicators must accumulate a required number of mitigation points within the field intended for treatment. For spray drift, applicators must maintain a downwind buffer, which can be reduced by implementing approved mitigations such as windbreaks, managed areas, or specific application techniques. Mitigation points and buffer distances are determined by the product’s label and local conditions described in Bulletins Live! Two.
These new rules place additional responsibility on applicators to calculate and follow the appropriate mitigation practices. While many Illinois applicators may find it easy to achieve the necessary points, accurately calculating mitigation credits and buffer distances can be challenging. To address this, the EPA has developed two tools:
- Spray Drift and Runoff Mitigation Calculator (Excel-based)
- Pesticide App for Label Mitigations (PALM) (web-based, mobile-friendly)
Spray Drift and Runoff Mitigation Calculator
The Excel-based Spray Drift and Runoff Mitigation Calculator provides a detailed overview of mitigation options. It defines each mitigation measure and assists in identifying which fields require runoff or drift mitigation, and allows users to model different application parameters such as equipment settings and application rates. Users can experiment with various mitigation combinations and explore how each contributes to point totals or buffer reductions. The calculator also serves as a recordkeeping tool, enabling applicators to track mitigations for each field. Maintaining these records provides an additional mitigation point, offering both compliance support and practical value. For those less comfortable with Excel or seeking a simpler approach, EPA also provides a Runoff Mitigation Worksheet that behaves similarly to the Excel calculator but focuses solely on runoff mitigation calculations.
Pesticide App for Label Mitigations
While the Spray Drift and Runoff Mitigation Calculator is ideal for planning pesticide applications, the Pesticide App for Label Mitigations (PALM) is designed for use in the field. This mobile-friendly web tool contains the same mitigation information as the Excel tool but organizes it into a guided, step-by-step format. Runoff and erosion mitigations are broken into twelve steps, while drift mitigations are divided into seven, making the process straightforward and easy to follow. While not a true phone app, the PALM website’s purpose is to provide a calculator that works effectively on a smartphone, allowing applicators to confirm or calculate mitigations in real time while in the field. In areas with limited connectivity, PALM continues to function as long as the relevant mitigation page is loaded before service is lost.
Conclusion
Adapting to the new ESA pesticide strategies will take time, and the learning curve may feel steep for many applicators. However, these tools offer a clear starting point for understanding and implementing the required mitigations. By centralizing guidance and simplifying calculations, the Spray Drift and Runoff Mitigation Calculator and PALM help make a complex process more manageable and intuitive. While not perfect, they provide the framework needed to ensure compliance during this transition period and will likely become essential resources for applicators navigating the evolving ESA requirements.
More information on the new ESA guidelines can be found at the ESA mitigation menu website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: John Schepis provides subject matter expertise and training in pesticide safety with an emphasis on entomology.
Photo Credit: John Hanson Pye, Adobe Stock