As the EPA prepares to take a more site-specific approach to enforcing the Endangered Species Act, the printed labels on chemistry packaging will not have room to include detailed information for all growing regions. The additional information specific to your location must be accessed via the EPA’s map-based website, Bulletins Live Two: www.epa.gov/pesticides/bulletins

Although label information will now be in two locations (the printed product label and the online supplement), the label is still the law—both the printed and the online information must be followed so that your application will be consistent with the law. The printed label will continue to hold information about labeled crops, pests, and rates. The Bulletins Live Two information will hold specific information about how a product’s application must change in areas where endangered species are present. (For example, a restricted area may not allow aerial applications, while aerial applications of that chemistry are allowed in unrestricted areas. In other examples, specific nozzles producing specific droplet sizes may be mandated.)

How will you know when you need to check the Bulletins Live Two website for additional information? You will see a message like this on your chemistry package:

Sample Endangered Species Requirements notification language, from EPA’s video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0UQCTwjfNI

When you see a message on your package indicating there are location-specific requirements, you must visit www.epa.gov/pesticides/bulletins  and zoom to your location. You must enter the product’s EPA Registration Number, and the month you plan to make the application. You must then press “Printable Bulletin,” and print the additional instructions. You must follow these instructions, and store the printout with your application files. Even if the instructions say “there are no additional restrictions of this pesticide for this month in this location,” you need to print the bulletin stating that, and store it with your files.

Your check of the Bulletins Live Two website, and printing of the Bulletin for your location & month, must take place no more than 6 months before your application. If you selected an application month of June, and weather prevents you from applying until July 1, you must print a new bulletin with the July month.

At this time, the only pesticide in use in cranberries which is subject to the EPA Bulletins Live Two process is Intrepid. Restrictions are in place in habitat locations of the Karner Blue Butterfly. However, in coming years, we expect that additional restrictions will apply for additional chemistries—so all growers should familiarize themselves with the system now. At this time, EPA has technical support resources (ESPP@epa.gov and 1-844-447-3813) if you encounter difficulties with the system.

This article was posted in Other News and Resources and tagged Allison Jonjak, Cranberries, EPA, EPA Bulletins Live Two.