Pesticide Permitting-Implementation Tools
Below are implementation tools for various parts of EPA’s 2026 Pesticide General Permit (PGP).
Part 1.1.1: Activities Covered
The PGP is available to operators who discharge to waters of the United States.
- To learn what constitutes waters of the United States, visit Waters of the United States.
- See EPA’s WATERS Locator Tools to identify the receiving water.
Part 1.1.2.1: Discharges to Water Quality Impaired Waters
Operators are not eligible for coverage under the PGP for any discharges from a pesticide application to waters of the United States if the water is identified as impaired by a substance which either is an active ingredient in that pesticide or is a degradate of such an active ingredient.
For purposes of the PGP, impaired waters are those that have been identified by a state, tribe, or EPA pursuant to section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act as not meeting applicable state or Tribal water quality standards. Impaired waters, for the purposes of the PGP, consist of both waters with EPA-approved or EPA-established total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) and waters for which EPA has not yet approved or established a TMDL.
- See How's My Waterway for information about the conditions of local waters.
Part 1.1.2.2: Discharges to Waters Designated as Tier 3 for Antidegradation Purposes
Except in limited circumstances, operators are not eligible for coverage under the PGP for any discharges to waters that are designed by a state or Tribe as Tier 3 (Outstanding National Resource Waters). EPA compiled a list of Tier 3 waters as a resource for operators who must determine whether they discharge to a Tier 3 water. Only Tier 3 waters specifically identified by a water quality standard authority (e.g., a state, territory, or Tribe) are identified in the table.
Part 1.1.2.4: Endangered and Threatened Species and Critical Habitat Protection under the PGP
The PGP requires operators to demonstrate they meet one of the ESA eligibility criteria in the permit.
- Refer to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) webpage for pesticide permitting.
Part 1.2.2: Decision-makers Required to Submit a Notice of Intent
The PGP requires certain operators who are decision-makers to submit a Notice of Intent (NOI). An NOI provides notice to EPA that a decision-maker intends to discharge to waters of the United States from pesticide application activities eligible for coverage under the PGP.
- Refer to the PGP Electronic Reporting webpage.
Part 3: Water Quality-Based Limitations
The PGP requires water quality-based limitations to ensure that discharges authorized under the PGP meet water quality standards. Discharges must not result in: 1. observable deposits of floating solids, scum, sheen, or other substances; 2. an observable film or sheen or discoloration from oil and grease; and/or 3. foam or substances that produce an observable change in color or odor, except other than what would be expected as a result of the application of the product used consistent with its FIFRA labeling within the treatment area. Operators are also prohibited from discharging to certain impaired waters or Tier 3 waters.
Part 5: Pesticide Discharge Management Plan
The PGP requires certain operators to develop a Pesticide Discharge Management Plan.
Part 6.4: Adverse Incident Documentation and Reporting
The PGP requires all operators to report adverse incidents which may have resulted from a discharge from a pesticide application.
- EPA Adverse Incident Reporting Contacts
- Fish and Wildlife Contacts
- National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources Contacts
Part 6.5: Reportable Spills and Leaks
The PGP requires all operators to report spills. Regulations on reportable quantities for reporting spills to the National Response Center include: