A three-judge panel of the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals has vacated an EPA rule allowing pesticides to be applied to U.S. waters without a Clean Water Act permit, saying the EPA’s view that applications of chemical and biological pesticides “over or near water” runs contrary to the Clean Water Act.

That good news for all of us, especially for those concerned about water quality and the marine life in the lakes, rivers, streams, and creeks we all love to see and visit.

Just so you know, some of the environmentally friendly groups that brought the case to court included:

“When it comes to toxic pesticides and their effects on our rivers and salmon, we need to be certain that good science is being used and those resources are protected. This ruling is a victory for clean water and fish, and a victory for Americans who care about healthy rivers and streams.” – Steve Pedery, Oregon Wild conservation director.

1. Baykeeper,
2. Californians for Alternatives to Toxics,
3. California Sportfishing Protection Alliance,
4. Environment Maine,
5. National Center for Conservation Science and Policy,
6. Oregon Wild,
7. Peconic Baykeeper,
8. Saint John’s Organic Farm,
9. Soundkeeper,
10. Toxics Action Center, and
11. Waterkeeper Alliance.

and some of the industry petitioners (our environment’s enemies) included:

1. Agribusiness Association of Iowa,
2. BASF Corporation,
3. Bayer CropScience,
4. CropLife America,
5. Delta Council,
6. Eldon C. Stutsman, Inc.,
7. FMC Corporation,
8. Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association,
9. The National Cotton Council of America,
10. Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment,
11. Southern Crop Production Association, and
12. Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc.

The overturn of the EPA pesticide ruling in force during the Bush administration now states that pesticide residues & biological pesticides constitute pollutants under federal law, so they must be regulated under the Clean Water Act in order to minimize any impact on our health or the environment.

“This is a significant victory for our nation’s waters. More than eight million pounds of pesticides are applied each year in the Bay Area alone. These toxic chemicals enter our creeks harming numerous species of fish, frog and other aquatic life and will now be regulated under the Clean Water Act.” – Sejal Choksi, program director for San Francisco Baykeeper.

For further info, check Charleston Empact: A Study of our Tidal Creeks.