190 likes | 413 Views
Using Pesticides in Indian Country and the EPA’s Federal Certification Plan. Indian Country:. Federally recognized tribes are sovereign nations within the United States They are bound by Federal laws and regulations
E N D
Using Pesticides in Indian Country and the EPA’s Federal Certification Plan
Indian Country: • Federally recognized tribes are sovereign nations within the United States • They are bound by Federal laws and regulations • With respect to pesticides, they have the authority to regulate pesticide use within the framework of FIFRA, as administered by the EPA • They are not bound by State pesticide laws, regulations, or policies
What lands are considered Indian Country? • ALL LAND found within the borders of a Federally recognized Indian Reservation, including but not limited to: • Fee and Trust lands • Rights of way running through Indian Country • lands held by the Federal government in trust outside of formal reservations as informal reservations • Allotments and dependent Indian communities that may be located outside of reservation borders
Pesticide use in Indian Country must: • comply with FIFRA • comply with ANY tribal laws, regulations, and/or policies • if it is a RUP; be purchased by and used by a Certified Applicator
State issued certificates are generally not valid in Indian Country There are a few exceptions Seven tribes have existing EPA approval to recognize State certificates
These are the seven tribes • Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation (located in ND) • Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (located in SD) • Rosebud Sioux Tribe (located in MT) • Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of the Fort Hall Reservation (located in ID) • Navajo Nation (located in AZ, NM, & UT) • Santee Sioux Tribe of Nebraska • Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation (located in KS)
Since there are so few tribes that have EPA approval, what other alternatives are there?
EPA can issue a Federal certificate based on a State credential Applicator requests Federal Certification from EPA Regional Office
Federal certificates • Carry the same expirations • Carry the same categories • Are valid in Indian Country contiguous to the state
One page form No charge or expense to obtain a Federal Certification
What if I do not hold a valid State Certification, how do I obtain a Federal Certification?
Apply for and successfully obtain an appropriate State Certification or…..
Those who use RUP on their own property, or land they rent or operate, are eligible to obtain a Federal Private Certificationthrough successfully completing a training • 12 hour program delivered over two days • Delivered via internet web based training • Offered monthly in the 1st year of the plan • No cost for the training • Space is limited, so pre-registration is required
Summary • Use pesticides under FIFRA • Comply with tribal authorities for ANY additional requirements • State laws / certifications are often NOT valid in Indian Country • If you will apply a RUP, you will LIKELY need to obtain a Federal Certification • Use existing State certificate to obtain a Federal one • Private Applicators also have the option of completing an EPA sponsored training and then receiving a Federal Certification
For more information http://tinyurl.com/EPAIndianPlanor http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-applicator-certification-indian-country
Developed by theNorth Central Region IPM Center Financial support was provided by theUSDA Agricultural Marketing Service (12-25-A-5706) and the North Central IPM Center (2012-51120-20252). Andrew Thostenson, Pesticide Program Specialist North Dakota State University Extension Service Walster Hall 205, NDSU Dept. 7060, P.O. Box 6050 Fargo, North Dakota 58108-6050 USA Telephone: 701.231.7180, Fax: 701.231.5907 E-mail: Andrew.Thostenson@ndsu.edu Web: http://ndsupesticide.org