PFMD Update - March 2016 - the Minnesota Department of Agriculture

March 2016
Pesticide and Fertilizer Management, 651/201-6121
PFMD UPDATE
A BULLETIN FROM THE PESTICIDE AND FERTILIZER MANAGEMENT DIVISION
Director’s Notes
A Message from the Commissioner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
EPA Proposes Stronger Standards for People Applying
Riskiest Pesticides. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
MDA Promotes Pollinator Awareness in 2015. . . . . . . . . . 3
Changes to EPA’s Worker Protection Standard (WPS). . . . 4
Proper Use of Pesticides Helps Ensure Food and Feed
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Maintaining Secondary Containment Systems. . . . . . . . . . 5
Waste Pesticide Collection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Pesticide Application Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Recent Penalty Enforcement Actions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Pesticide Registration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Legislative Changes for AFREC Means More Fertilizer
Research. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification
Program Expands Statewide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Anhydrous Ammonia Incident Prevention. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Decommissioning Agricultural Chemical Facilities. . . . . . 8
Red River Valley Drainage Water Management Project. . . 9
Runoff Lessons Learned in the Root River. . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
RUP Use in Indian Country . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Private Pesticide Applicator Certification. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Commercial Animal Waste Technician (CAWT). . . . . . . 10
Incidents of Interest: Causes, Cleanup, and Prevention. . 10
By Dan Stoddard, Acting Director, Pesticide and
Fertilizer Management Division
Greg Buzicky, Director of the Pesticide and Fertilizer Management Division
(PFMD), recently retired after 31 years with the MDA and 21 years as
Division Director. Greg helped conduct an initial survey of pesticides in
groundwater back in the 1985. He served as the Assistant Director and
was later appointed Director in 1994. Under Greg’s direction, the division
conducted extensive work to manage pesticides, fertilizer, other crop inputs,
and feed. Some of the programs developed under his leadership include the
Agricultural Chemical Response and Reimbursement Account (ACRRA)
for cleaning up spill sites, bulk chemical and fertilizer storage permitting
requirements, waste pesticide and used pesticide container management
programs, and the development of pesticide and fertilizer best management
practices. Many of these activities are taken for granted today but they did not
exist or were very limited 25 years ago. Congratulations Greg on your long
and successful career!
Since Greg’s departure, I am honored to have been appointed the Acting
Director. However, I’m not new to the PFMD. I’ve been with the MDA over
25 years and served as Assistant Director for the past 18 years; so I have
been involved in most of our programs either directly or indirectly. As Acting
Director I will continue with the same type of approach to our responsibilities
as was developed over the last two decades under Greg’s direction.
In this issue you will find articles on pollinators, changes to the worker
protection standard and many updates on what’s new with our pesticide and
fertilizer programs. There is a lot going on. We hope these articles are helpful
and provide some notice or information on changes that may be important to
you. Our website is also full of information on PFMD programs and events.
Please let us know if there is anything you want to hear more about in future
updates. Have a great spring!
Unified Investigation for Whitewater Fish Kill . . . . . . . . 11
Agricultural Response and Reimbursement. . . . . . . . . . . 11
Fertilizer Registration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Emergency Response: Incident Response Plans. . . . . . . . 12
What’s in a Name?
The MDA Update has long delivered information about Pesticide and
Fertilizer Management Division events, programs, and polices. Did you
notice the name change? PFMD Update better captures the publication’s
purpose and will continue to provide helpful content for PFMD clientele and
others. Jennie Hodgeman, Administrator.
Spring highlights the many possibilities that lie ahead
of us. As we eagerly await a new growing season, we
begin to prep our machinery for work in the field. The
machinery of government also ramps up as lawmakers
come back to the Capitol to do their work.
You will see in this legislative session a commitment
from Governor Mark Dayton to investment in Greater
Minnesota and a desire to work with Minnesotans all
across the state. Partnerships lead to possibilities. Let
me highlight three areas of importance.
The first is research and technology. Governor
Dayton is committed to high speed, reliable,
affordable broadband internet access. Without
broadband internet, ag technologies, which rely on
access to cloud-based networking and databases, have
limited utility.
diversify our economy. One way we do this is through
the state’s Value Added State Grant Program, where
Minnesota matches every three dollars of private
capital with one dollar of public investment.
The third issue that will be of importance is water
quality. Farmers and rural Minnesotans care about
clean water for their livelihoods. It is important to
bring attention to this issue, and we in agriculture must
get involved in the dialog and help shape policy for
the future.
So as winter melts away, let’s focus on the
possibilities that lie ahead. Many of which can only be
accomplished by working together. That’s true in the
field and at the Capitol.
The second opportunity for partnership is through
expanding value-added products. When we add
value to ag products in Minnesota, we strengthen and
EPA Proposes Stronger Standards for People Applying
Riskiest Pesticides
The EPA has proposed stronger training and
certification standards for persons who apply
restricted use pesticides (RUPs). The EPA’s stated
goal is reducing the likelihood of harm from the
misapplication of RUPs and ensuring consistent
protection standards among states. Numerous
comments about the proposal were submitted from the
public including comments from MDA; they can be
viewed by visiting www.regulations.gov and entering
docket number: EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0183.
2
MDA UPDATE
The EPA is now reviewing these comments, and
where needed will revise the proposed standards.
Final regulations will be drafted and reviewed by
the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Office of
Management and Budget. The EPA will issue the final
regulation when all reviews are complete. The full
impact of new standards on applicators in Minnesota
will be known at that time.
PFMD Update
© 2016 Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Material from this publication may be
reprinted. Please credit “From PFMD
Update, Minnesota Department of
Agriculture, Pesticide and Fertilizer
Management Division.”
The PFMD Update is published
by the Minnesota Department
of Agriculture, Pesticide and
Fertilizer Management Division,
625 Robert St. N.,
St. Paul, MN 55155-2538
Telephone 651-201-6121
Editor: Joe Spitzmueller
Manager, Facility, Licensing &
Emergency Response Section
joseph.spitzmueller@state.mn.us
Assistant Editor: Jennie Hodgeman
jennie.hodgeman@state.mn.us
The purpose of this newsletter is to
provide comprehensive, accurate
information about the MDA Pesticide
and Fertilizer Management Division’s
events, programs, policies and
regulations. No endorsement is
intended or implied of products
or companies mentioned within.
Printing and postage is paid for by the
Pesticide Regulatory Account.
In accordance with the Americans
with Disabilities Act, this information is
available in alternative forms
of communication upon request
by calling 651/201-6000.
TTY users can call the Minnesota
Relay Service at 711.
The MDA is an equal opportunity
employer and provider.
MDA Promotes Pollinator Awareness in
2015
By Kevin Cavanaugh, Advisor, Pesticide Management
In 2013 The Minnesota Legislature directed the Minnesota Department
of Agriculture (MDA) to develop best management practices (BMPs)
for pollinators and to conduct a pollinator awareness campaign. The
BMPs were completed in 2014 that defined methods to help pollinators
thrive in three different landscapes: agricultural, roadsides/rights-of-way,
and yards and gardens. The MDA premiered the “yards and gardens”
brochure at the 2014 and 2015 Minnesota State Fair, coupled with
dispersing pollinator seed packets and inviting visitors to sign up to
make a ‘pollinator promise’ on how they can help pollinators.
In 2015, the MDA
initiated a second
phase of the
Pollinator Awareness
Campaign, taking
the message to rural
landowners. Several
landowners from
different parts of the
state were invited to
share their stories
with the public to
highlight their recently installed pollinator habitats. The landowners
described how pollinator habitats benefited local beekeepers, improved
local park aesthetics and wildlife habitat, improved productive capacity
through erosion control, and involvement of school students in habitat
installation. More details about these stories can be found on the MDA
webpage at www.mda.state.mn.us/protecting/bmps/pollinators.aspx.
Through the MDA’s pollinator awareness campaign, interest and support
of pollinator protection has grown in the public and private sectors.
Many organizations, such as national and state parks, school teachers,
Master Gardeners, University of Minnesota Extension, Soil Water
Conservation Districts, non-profit organizations, utility companies,
individuals and legislators have requested copies of the pollinator BMPs.
As of January 2016, over 45,000 pollinator BMPs brochures have been
distributed by the MDA since their release in 2014. In addition to the
BMPs, the MDA has also distributed over 51,000 Minnesota native seed
packets at various MDA events in 2015 to further the awareness with the
public of the importance of creating pollinator habitat.
If you have question or want additional information please contact Kevin
Cavanaugh at 651/201-6349, or kevin.cavanaugh@state.mn.us.
March 2016
3
Changes to EPA’s Worker
Protection Standard (WPS)
By Gregorio Mendez-Ortega, Consultant, Agricultural
Chemical Investigator
The EPA has revised the WPS regulation to increase
protection from pesticide exposure for the nation’s
agricultural workers and their families. The regulation seeks
to protect and reduce the risks of injury or illness resulting
from agricultural workers’ and pesticide handlers’ use and
contact with pesticides on farms, forests, nurseries and
greenhouses. Here are some of the major changes to the
regulation:
• Expand annual mandatory training to inform workers
on the required protections.
• Prohibit children under 18 from handling pesticides.
• Mandatory posting in outdoor production areas for
pesticides with re-entry interval (REI) greater than 48
hours.
• No-entry application-exclusion zone (AEZ)
surrounding pesticide application equipment.
• Provide access to workers or their representatives to
pesticide application information and Safety Data
Sheets (SDS).
• Mandatory record keeping: records of application
information, SDS, workers and handlers training must
be kept for two years.
• Adopt some OSHA standards for respirators: fit test,
medical evaluation and training.
• Specific amounts of water for routine washing,
emergency eye flushing and other decontamination,
including eye wash system for handlers at pesticide
mixing/loading sites.
• Exemption for farm owners and their immediate family
with an expanded definition of immediate family.
Agricultural employers and handler employers need to
comply with the new provisions by January 2, 2017.
Additional information can be obtained at: www.epa.
gov/pesticide-worker-safety/revisions-worker-protectionstandard.
For more information or questions contact Gregorio
Mendez-Ortega at 507-344-3204 or gregorio.mendezortega@state.mn.us, or Stephanie Ende at 651-201-6504 or
stephanie.ende@state.mn.us.
4
MDA UPDATE
Proper Use of Pesticides
Helps Ensure Food and Feed
Safety
By Matt Sunseri, Consultant, Pesticide
Registration
Pesticides (which include herbicides, insecticides,
and fungicides) are used in producing food and
animal feed, and in locations near food or feed
production, to manage pests such as weeds,
insects, and fungi. Each pesticide product is
labeled with its own set of legal requirements for
use, storage, and disposal – “The label is the law”.
Improper pesticide use includes applying a
product to locations (such as crops) not listed
on the label, allowing a product to drift offsite, applying at a higher rate or frequency, and
contaminating food or feed. Improper use may
result in:
 Direct damage or delayed impacts to the
treated crop or other treated site.
 Off-site movement and impacts to nearby field
crops or gardens.
 Illegal pesticide residues on food or feed.
Illegal residues may pose health hazards to
people or animals, and may result in seizure or
destruction of the crop. For more information
on the regulation of pesticide residues, visit
www.epa.gov/pesticide-tolerances.
To report pesticide complaints:
 During business hours, contact MDA MondayFriday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at (651) 201-6333.
 After hours, contact the Minnesota Duty
Officer at (800) 422-0798. Formal complaints
with the MDA must be made in writing.
 To file a written complaint online or to obtain
more information, visit the MDA website at
www.mda.state.mn.us and type “pesticide
complaints” in the Search box.
If you have questions or would like more
information, contact Matthew Sunseri at 651-2016292 or matthew.sunseri@state.mn.us.
Maintaining Secondary Containment Systems
By Greg Harding, Consultant, Bulk Pesticide & Fertilizer Permitting
The MDA issues permits for secondary
containment systems designed to safeguard
bulk liquid pesticides and fertilizers in storage.
Regular inspections and maintenance of these
safeguards are required by law.
MDA recommendations for secondary
containment systems are as follows:
 For concrete systems refer to: www.mda.
state.mn.us/Global/MDADocs/chemfert/
others/concreterepair.aspx. Facilities
should have a compatible sealant on hand
to repair all cracks and joints in need of
maintenance.
 For steel systems remove rust and
corrosion as it occurs either by sanding or
sandblasting. Once all corrosion has been
removed, apply high quality primer and paint that is recommended for use on metal or steel.
 For synthetic liner systems, inspect frequently for punctures. Keep stick-on patches on-hand so repairs
can be made as discovered. Immediately contact a certified liner installer to replace the temporary patch
with a permanent repair patch. Be aware that over time, welded seams can loosen requiring repair to these
areas. Finally, watch out for rodent activity underneath or around a synthetic lined dike. Control any rodent
activity to reduce the chance of the liner being compromised.
MDA conducts inspections at storage facilities to determine compliance with MN statutes and rules that require
secondary containment to be maintained and inspected. Violations found during these inspections may result in
financial penalties.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Greg Harding at 651-201-6274 or greg.
harding@state.mn.us
Waste Pesticide Collection
Pesticide Application Records
The Waste Collection Program has collected more
than 7 million pounds of unused or unusable
pesticides from farms, businesses and homes for
disposal. Many counties collect farm and household
waste pesticides at local Household Hazardous
Waste facilities. Visit the web at www.mda.state.
mn.us/chemicals/spills/wastepesticides.aspx for more
details. Contact Stan Kaminski, 651-201-6562 or stan.
kaminski@state.mn.us.
Commercial and structural pesticide applicators must
keep records of all applications. Noncommercial
applicators must keep records of restricted use
pesticide applications. The MDA maintains sample
records for different license types and uses on the
web page at www.mda.state.mn.us/en/licensing/
licensetypes/pesticideapplicator/pestrecords.aspx.
Contact Clarissa Levi, 651-201-6633 or clarissa.levi@
state.mn.us or Alice Waller, 651-201-6284 or alice.
waller@state.mn.us.
March 2016
5
Recent Penalty Enforcement Actions
By Corinne du Preez, ACI Advisor
AgraCity Crops & Nutrition, Inc., Moorhead
Entity: Agricultural business
Violation:Inadequate pesticide dike maintenance.
Penalty:$250
Brian Duehn, Hutchinson
Entity: Agricultural operation
Violation:Pesticide drift.
Penalty:$500
Chandler Coop, Edgerton
Entity: Agricultural facility
Violation:Sale of Restricted Use Pesticide to
unlicensed/uncertified person.
Penalty:$500
Fertimix, Jordan
Entity: Fertilizer company and agricultural facility
Violation:Selling agricultural pesticide products
without an agricultural pesticide dealer
license, failure to report sales and pay
associated fees, violation of Order.
Penalty: $750
Genesis, Belle Plaine
Entity: Agricultural facility
Violation:Inadequate anhydrous ammonia equipment
and storage maintenance.
Penalty:$3,400
Holmgren Roadside Spraying, LLC, Pennock
Entity: Roadside spraying service
Violation:Pesticide drift & no commercial pesticide
applicator license.
Penalty: $1,000
Jim Whiting Nursery & Garden Center, Rochester
Entity: Greenhouse and Nursery.
Violation:Lack of worker protection standard
training, supplies, record; no chemigation
permit to apply fertilizer, no approved
backflow prevention device and RPZ not
inspected on annual basis.
Penalty:$1,850
Koch Fertilizer LLC, Wichita, KS
Entity: Fertilizer production
Violation:Improper fertilizer disposal at Verdi, MN
location.
Penalty:$1,000
Plunketts Pest Control, Inc., Moorhead
Entity: Structural Pest Control Company
Violation:Improper disposal of unspent fumigant
resulting in endangerment.
Penalty:$4,750
4 Seasons Landscape & Lawn Care, Hutchinson
Entity: Lawn Care Company
Violation:No commercial pesticide license.
Penalty:$500
See Green Lawn Care, Kimball
Entity: Lawn care company
Violation:No backflow prevention device on water
supply used to fill pesticide equipment.
Penalty:$250
Stockville Grain, LLC, Fergus Falls Entity: Agricultural operation
Violation:Anhydrous ammonia equipment and
storage repairs.
Penalty:$1,975
Pesticide Registration
All pesticides used in agriculture and those used for non-agricultural purposes must be registered before they
can be sold or distributed in Minnesota. The MDA sends certificates to registrants for over 12,000 products
each year. Contact Juanita Rodriguez, 651-201-6583 or juanita.n.rodriguez@state.mn.us.
6
MDA UPDATE
Legislative Changes
for AFREC Means More
Fertilizer Research
The Minnesota Agricultural Water
Quality Certification Program
Expands Statewide
By Russ Derickson, Advisor,
Fertilizer Non-Point
By Craig McDonnell, Program Development Specialist,
MAWQCP
As a Minnesota producer, you are investing
in the future each time you make a
fertilizer purchase. Forty cents per ton, or
approximately 5-10 cents per cropland acre,
is directed for soil fertility research and
educational projects. The program is called
AFREC which stands for the “Agricultural
Fertilizer Research and Education
Council”. Since AFREC’s inception in
2008, it has funded over $5 million into
soil fertility related activities specific to
Minnesota crops and soils.
On July 1, 2015 the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality
Certification Program (MAWQCP) began a statewide expansion.
The program is growing; on January 1, 2016 there were 78 farms
certified.
Previously, the program was legislatively
capped at $800,000 per year. Thanks to
some recent legislative changes last spring,
the cap was removed along with some other
highly beneficial improvements that were
made. If fertilizer sales remain relatively
consistent with those observed over the
past five years, AFREC will now have an
additional $50,000 to $100,000 to invest in
new projects.
The Council, comprised of farmers and
commodity groups, made their first
allocations from the enhanced funding
pot in early January. Sixteen projects
were approved and will be ready to hit the
ground in early April.
For more information on AFREC, the
projects and research outcomes, please be
sure to visit the following websites:
•www.mnsoilfertility.com
•www.mda.state.mn.us/chemicals/
fertilizers/afrec.aspx
If you have questions or want
additional information please contact
Russ Derickson at 507-752-7036 or
russell.derickson@state.mn.us.
The MAWQCP has divided the state into 8 service regions with
each region having its own Area Certification Specialist (ACS).
The ACS is the team member responsible for working alongside
producers and local Soil and Water Conservation Districts to
assess and certify farms.
In addition to the ACSs, the MAWQCP has also developed a
new position assisting the ACS to promote farm conservation
and water quality protection. With growing popularity even more
applications are expected, therefore the MAWQCP created and
staffed five intermittent conservation specialist positions. These
positions allow conservation professionals the opportunity to
apply their considerable knowledge and skills in the field on an
as-needed basis.
MAWQCP looks for seasoned conservation professionals with
years of experience working with Minnesota farmers to fill
these intermittent positions. Recent hires to the MAWQCP
team include: Dave Copeland, who recently retired as a USDANRCS Assistant State Conservationist after 30 years, and Tom
Wilczek, who retired from CentraSota after a 30-year career as an
agronomy manager and crop advisor; both are well positioned to
work with Minnesota farmers.
As the MAWQCP
continues to grow,
the work of these
intermittent team
members and the
ACSs will play
an integral role
in protecting
and improving
Minnesota’s waters.
Dorrich Dairy, operated by the Vold family, receives its
MAWQCP field sign.
If you have questions or want more information, please contact
Craig McDonnell at 651-201-6283 or craig.mcdonnell@state.
mn.us.
March 2016
7
Anhydrous Ammonia Incident Prevention
By Ed Kaiser, Consultant, NH3 Program
The MDA receives reports of
incidents involving anhydrous
ammonia (NH3) each year. The
following incident situations and
preventative measures are provided
to assist those handling NH3 or
maintaining NH3 equipment/facilities
to prevent an incident, endangerment,
exposure, and injury.
When Disconnecting a Transfer
Line Containing NH3
An unexpected release of NH3 when
disconnecting lines is dangerous
and can severely damage a person’s skin, eyes, or
respiratory tract. Preventative measures are: always
assume that transfer lines contain NH3; carefully
bleed off NH3 before disconnecting transfer lines;
wear NH3 rated gloves and goggles; a face shield may
be worn over goggles for added protection; and have
an ample supply of clean safety water immediately
accessible.
When a Withdrawal Hose is Too Long or Too Short
Slack from a hose that is too long can become caught,
pinched, rubbed, or torn by equipment or cause fitting
failure. A hose that is too short can pull apart or can
be pulled out of end fittings. Preventative measures
are: determine the recommended hose length by
measuring the distance between nurse tank connection
and tool bar connection and adding approximately
twelve inches; this length will accommodate turns;
position the hose above the hitch when nurse tank(s)
and application unit are connected; and make sure that
hose cannot get caught, pinched, torn, or put stress on
fittings when making sharp turns.
If you have questions or need additional information
please contact Ed Kaiser at 651-201-6275 or
ed.kaiser@state.mn.us.
Decommissioning Agricultural
Chemical Facilities
A new factsheet is available that provides guidance about
removing agricultural chemicals and cleaning containment
structures after a facility ceases operations (http://www.mda.
state.mn.us/chemicals/spills/~/media/Files/chemicals/incidents/
decomagchemfacils.pdf). Unsecured agricultural chemicals
left behind after a facility is vacated may be released to the
environment. Contact Cathy Villas-Horns, 651-201-6697 or
cathy.villas-horns@state.mn.us
8
MDA UPDATE
Red River Valley Drainage
Water Management Project
Runoff Lessons Learned in the
Root River
By Aaron Janz, Soil Scientist; Jeppe Kjaersgaard,
Research Scientist; and Margaret Wagner,
Supervisor, Clean Water
By Kevin Kuehner, Soil Scientist, Clean Water Tech Unit
The amount of subsurface (tile) drainage in the
Red River Valley is going up. Tile drainage is
common in other areas of the state, but recently it
has become a more popular method of drainage in
this region. From an agronomic standpoint, there are
several benefits of tile drainage, such as generally
increased yields and timelier field operations. On
the other hand, tile drainage does impact when and
how much runoff occurs. Tiles may also increase
the movement of the plant nutrient nitrogen in the
form of nitrate off the fields. MDA has entered into
a unique partnership with local land owners, USDA
NRCS, Wilkin Soil and Water Conservation District,
Buffalo-Red River Watershed District, Agridrain
Corp., Prinsco, Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS),
Tightline Drainage, and Jemco to look at ways to
hold back or reuse the water and nutrients in the
field, including:
In 2010, a long-term water quality study with multiple
partners began in southeast Minnesota. Here is what
the first five years of the Root River Farm to Stream
Project have taught us about field runoff and nitrogen:
• On average, less than 10% of the annual
precipitation (~35 inches) runs off the field surface.
Most soaks into the ground and is utilized by the
crop, or evaporates. The amount of runoff varies
by site and year. For instance in 2013, 15-25% of
the precipitation ran off the fields; in 2012 runoff
totaled less than 2%.
• Nearly half of the total annual runoff volume
occurs when the ground is frozen; typically during
the months of late February and March.
• Over 90% of the runoff and associated sediment/
nutrient losses occurs in just four months: March,
April, May and June.
• Controlled drainage to adjust the tile outlet
elevation which allows water to be stored in the
soil when drainage is not needed;
• In-field storage reservoir to hold the drainage
water so the water can be pumped back into the
drain tile to irrigate the crop; or
• A saturated buffer to run the drainage water into
a grass buffer along a stream.
Project installations started in the fall of 2015. The
impact on water quality and runoff is scheduled to
be monitored for at least seven years.
If you would like more information please
contact Aaron Janz at 320-634-4038 or
aaron.janz@state.mn.us.
• Total nitrogen contained in surface runoff averaged
14 lbs/ac with 74% in the organic form. Soil
conservation combined with nutrient management
are important practices to minimize nitrogen
loss in surface runoff. Most nitrogen found in
groundwater is inorganic nitrate-N and lost through
sub-surface leaching where it can be detected
in tile drainage, springs, streams, rivers and
groundwater. Annual nitrate-N losses measured in
streams can range from nearly 50 lbs/ac in a wet
year to less than 6 lbs/ac in a dry year.
• Fine-tuning nitrogen rates, crediting legumes and
manure, applying nitrogen in split applications
and using nitrification inhibitors are important
best management practices to address local
groundwater and surface water protection goals.
For more information, contact Kevin Kuehner,
507-765-4530, kevin.kuehner@state.mn.us.
March 2016
9
RUP Use in Indian Country
The EPA requires certification to apply Restricted
Use Pesticide in Indian Country. The EPA has
instructions at www2.epa.gov/pesticide-applicatorcertification-indian-country or contact Amy Mysz,
312-886-0224 or mysz.amy@epa.gov. The White
Earth Band of Ojibwe recognizes an MDA issued
license or certification as an alternative to the federal
certification.
Private Pesticide Applicator
Certification
A person must hold a valid Private Pesticide
Applicator Certification to purchase a Restricted Use
Pesticide and/or apply it to produce an agricultural
commodity. These certifications are valid for 3 years
and more than 6,000 expired on March 1, 2016. If
you plan to apply RUP, and you have not yet renewed
already, please do so. Contact Sara Belair, 651-2016633 or sara.belair@state.mn.us.
Commercial Animal Waste
Technician (CAWT)
Look at the expiration date on your ID card to
ensure your CAWT Company, Site Manager and/or
Applicator license is current. Licenses are necessary
for: companies to provide manure application
services, site managers to apply manure and supervise
applicators, and applicators to apply manure to the
ground. Contact Alison Rossow, 651-201-6146 or
alison.rossow@state.mn.us.
Incidents of Interest: Causes, Cleanup, and Prevention
By Patrick Kelly, Consultant, Emergency Response
These incident summaries are provided to help others
learn how to best respond to a spill.
• A 20 pound propane tank was found near an
anhydrous ammonia nurse tank parking area. The
responding deputy sheriff used the facility’s posted
emergency phone number to alert the manager.
It appears someone was attempting to siphon
anhydrous from a nurse tank for illegal meth
production. Always have current contact numbers
visibly posted at your firm for emergencies like
this.
• A bulk poly tank with 28% fertilizer leaked
during transport. The majority of the 2,000
gallon leak spilled onto the road shoulder and
ditch in a defined area. After calling Gopher
State (811), about 50 yards of soil was excavated
and backfilled with clean soil following county
highway specifications. The responsible party
requested reimbursement for cleanup costs
from the ACCRA and was approved. For more
information about ACRRA visit the website at:
www.mda.state.mn.us/grants/disaster/acrra.aspx.
During 2015, the Emergency Response Unit polled
people who had been previously involved in a spill.
The results rate the response service provided by
MDA as valuable in the event of a spill. Watch our
webpage for updated information and links to poll
results, incident response plan information, and
cleanup guidance.
If you have questions or want additional information,
please contact Pat Kelly at 651-201-6387 or
patrick.kelly@state.mn.us or Lucy Hunt at
651-201-6637 or lucia.hunt@state.mn.us.
All agricultural chemical incidents must be reported
to the MN Duty Officer at 1-800-422-0798.
10 MDA UPDATE
Unified Investigation for Whitewater Fish Kill
By Lucia Hunt, Supervisor, Emergency Response
State agencies were notified of a major fish kill in a
southeastern Minnesota trout stream after a heavy rain
in late July. The Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources (DNR), the Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency, and the MDA sent investigators to the scene.
Many fish kills can be immediately linked to a cause,
but there was no clear cause in this case.
The need for a unified approach to this complex case
became clear immediately. The MDA named a unified
response coordinator to organize the information from
all three agencies. Regular conference calls were
scheduled to discuss discoveries, research needs, and
lab results.
The fish kill team members took the work
very seriously and fully investigated each lead.
Investigators interviewed local farmers, landowners
and pesticide applicators, collected samples and
examined the area. Over several months, technical
experts examined fish tissue, analyzed water and soil,
and conducted other tests. Ultimately, the team was
unable to pinpoint a cause.
Water samples showed no toxic levels of ammonia,
pesticides or metals. No insecticides were detected,
and only extremely low levels of fungicides were
found.
Agricultural Response and
Reimbursement
The ACRRA fund provides financial assistance to
eligible parties cleaning up agricultural chemical
contamination. Since its inception in 1990, ACRRA
has reimbursed over 1,200 applicants more than $34
million in costs to clean up pesticide and/or fertilizer
spills and incidents in Minnesota. More details at
www.mda.state.mn.us/grants/disaster/acrra.aspx.
The agencies found no evidence of illegal dumping,
unusual wastewater discharges or illegal applications
of manure or pesticides.
This kill was first reported one to two days after the
heavy rain. It is the nature of flowing water, that
conditions change quickly and evidence can disappear
rapidly. Whatever the cause, the conditions had
dissipated prior to the onset of the investigation.
Protecting state resources is a critical mission of each
agency. Although some found the agency conclusion
unsatisfactory, inspectors, scientists and administrators
from the three agencies engaged in an exhaustive
investigation over a five month period to execute a
thorough investigation and a comprehensive report.
Fortunately, according to DNR, the stream’s
populations of brown trout and other species are
expected to bounce back without additional stocking.
The full report documenting the investigation and its
findings can be found at www.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/
fisheries/lanesboro/index.html.
The MDA urges anglers and others to contact
the state duty officer at 800-422-0798
to report fish kills and other incidents.
Fertilizer Registration
Specialty fertilizers and soil/plant amendments must
be registered before they can be sold or distributed
in Minnesota. Specialty fertilizers are used indoors
and out in greenhouses and lawns and gardens. Soil
amendments improve characteristics of the soil or
modify organic matter. Plant amendments improve
desirable characteristics of plants. The MDA sends
certificates to registrants for over 4,000 products
each year. Contact Carol Durden, 651-201-6379 or
carol.durden@state.mn.us.
March 2016
11
Prsrt Std
U.S. Postage
PAID
Twin Cities,
MN
Permit 171
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Pesticide and Fertilizer Management Division
625 Robert St. N.
St. Paul, MN 55155-2538
Emergency Response: Incident Response Plans
By Lucia Hunt, Supervisor, Emergency Response
New legislation to harmonize incident response plans
for agricultural chemicals took effect in August of
2015. Dealers, applicators, and any other person who
produces or stores pesticides or fertilizers must develop
and maintain a plan for their facility or business. The
plan describes actions to prevent and/or respond to a
release or threatened release of pesticide or fertilizer
into the environment.
The MDA has worked with industry reps, first
responders and regulators to develop a plan template
that will contain all required elements. Components
include: internal and external contacts, facility maps &
diagrams, standard operating procedures, inventory, and
emergency equipment availability. Employees must
be trained on plan components annually. The incident
response plan template and additional training topics
will be made available on our new website: www.mda.
state.mn.us/agchemspills.
The event that triggers
an emergency incident
can range from an
accidentally tipped
container to a disaster
that sends a plume of
product into the water
or air. An incident can happen any time, and having
a good plan in place means an incident will have less
impact on your employees, the community you serve,
and the environment. Look for descriptions of several
agricultural chemical incidents described elsewhere in
this edition; we present these as opportunities to learn
from others.
If you have questions, please contact Lucia Hunt at
651-201-6637 or lucia.hunt@state.mn.us.