Aquatic pesticide permits
How do I know if I need an aquatic pesticide permit?
If you use any products to manage aquatic life in and around waters of Washington, you will probably need coverage under a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.
State and federal law requires coverage under an aquatic pesticide permit for all activities that involve the use of pesticides or nutrient inactivation products for managing aquatic organisms in waters of the state.
Our aquatic pesticide permits condition and regulate when, where, how, and the amount and type of products that can be applied for these activities. These permits provide details on the specific monitoring, reporting, and public notification requirements for products used for the managing aquatic organisms.
What aquatic pesticide permits are available?
We offer permit coverage for a range of activities, from noxious and invasive weed control, to mosquito control, and fisheries resource management. There are currently seven general permits that control the use of aquatic pesticides:
- Aquatic & Invasive Species Control general permit — sets conditions for state government agencies to use chemical treatments to control fish, animals, and insects.
(Replaces Aquatic invasive species management, Fisheries resource management, and Invasive moth control permits)
- Aquatic Invasive Species Management Permit — sets conditions on the use of products for managing aquatic invasive species, including animals and non-native, invasive marine algae.
- Aquatic Mosquito Control Permit — sets conditions on the control of adult and larval mosquitoes.
- Aquatic Noxious Weed Control Permit — sets conditions on the control of state-listed noxious and quarantine weeds along freshwater shorelines, wetlands, or estuaries.
- Aquatic Plant and Algae Management Permit — sets conditions on the management of plants and algae, and the use of nutrient-inactivation products in fresh water bodies.
- Fisheries Resource Management Permit — issued directly to the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. This permit sets conditions on the use of pesticides for the management of fish hatcheries.
- Irrigation System Aquatic Weed Control Permit — conditions the use of products for the control of weeds and algae in irrigation systems.
- Zostera Japonica Management on Commercial Clam Beds in Willapa Bay Permit — sets conditions on the use of products to control Zostera japonica (non-native eelgrass) on commercial clam beds in Willapa Bay.
Additionally, we offer one individual permit issued directly to the Washington State Department of Agriculture for the control and eradication of Gypsy and other invasive moths.