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Aquatic Pesticides

The Bureau of Pest Management is responsible for the administration of the Aquatic Pesticide Permit Program in New York, under the authority granted by Article 15-0313(4) of the Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) and Title 6 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (6 NYCRR) Parts 327, 328 and 329.

The application of aquatic pesticides is regulated by the Department through pesticide registration, pesticide applicator certification, pesticide business registration and two types of aquatic permits. The combined use of these management tools provide oversight for the control of aquatic pests while preserving and protecting the waters of the State.

Pesticide product registration allows the Department to review the pesticides that are intended for sale and use in New York State and require these pesticides to conform to regulatory standards. Due to the sensitive nature of aquatic pesticide applications, the Department has restricted those pesticides that are labeled for use in surface waters of the State. A restricted use aquatic pesticide for use in surface waters is only available for purchase and use by a certified pesticide applicator.

Restricted use Aquatic pesticides are available to homeowners for the treatment of a water body that lies entirely on the homeowner's property, does not have an outlet and is less than one surface acre in size, who has applied to their DEC regional office and has been granted an Aquatic Pesticide Purchase Permit.

Article 15 states that an Aquatic Permit is required for the direct application of an aquatic pesticide to surface waters of the State of an acre or more in size.

Both the Aquatic Permits and Aquatic Pesticide Purchase Permits are issued by the Department's regional office that serves your county.

Aquatic Permits

There are three types of Aquatic Permits governed by Article 15:

Part 327 Use of Chemicals for the Control or Elimination of Aquatic Vegetation

Part 328 Use of Chemicals for the Control or Extermination of Undesirable Fish

Part 329 Use of Chemicals for the Control or Elimination of Aquatic insects

You may find the regulations for each type of aquatic pesticide application on our Pesticide Control Regulations webpage.

Article 15, Part 327 and Part 328 Aquatic Permit Applicants are required to use the Bureau of Pest Management application package,"Application For a Permit to Use a Pesticide For The Control of an Aquatic Pest" (AQV, 04/09) for all Aquatic Permit applications for the management of aquatic vegetation. The package consists of:

In addition, permit applicants proposing to use a pesticide for the control or elimination of aquatic vegetation in water bodies meeting certain criteria delineated on the form will be required to submit:

A properly completed site specific Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan, as described in Appendix A: Elements of an Aquatic Plant Management Plan, of the Division of Waters' Primer on Aquatic Plant Management in NYS, or a site specific Environmental Impact Statement, may serve as a substitute for the Supplemental Aquatic Vegetation Management Project Information Form.

Please contact the Regional office that serves your County to request an Article 15, Part 329 Use of Chemicals for the Control or Elimination of Aquatic Insects Aquatic Permit application.

Permit applicants should submit all applications for Aquatic Permits to the Regional Bureau of Pest Management staff from the Department Regional Office that serves your county.

Aquatic Pesticide Purchase Permits

The Aquatic Pesticide Purchase Permit is issued to a homeowner for the treatment of a water body that lies entirely on the homeowner's property, does not have an outlet and is less than one surface acre in size.

The instructions and application for an Aquatic Pesticide Purchase Permit for the homeowner is available from the Department's Regional Offices and is also available here: Application and Instructions.


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