Publication Summary

On April 10, 2002, the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) issued a general permit (NPDES Permit No. WAG-992000) covering all mosquito control activities that discharge insecticides directly into surface waters of the state. Under the permit, the use of insecticides for mosquito control in water is allowed when the effects are temporary and confined to a specific location, though locations where insecticides are used may be widespread throughout the state. Applications of insecticides are subject to compliance with Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) labels, monitoring/reporting requirements, and the implementation of best management practices (BMPs) that include a hierarchy of preferred integrated pest management options.

The draft BMPs were the result of a collaborative effort among the Departments of Health, Agriculture, Fish and Wildlife, and Ecology; King County; Washington State University; and several Washington-based mosquito control districts. These final BMPs have been modified and, we believe, improved thanks to the many comments given to us by mosquito control experts and others who took the time to review the draft and offer their expertise and suggestions. Their comments and the responses to those comments can be found in the Response to Comments section at the end of the document.