Legal Agreement Will Help Protect Endangered Wildlife From Pesticides Applied to Waterways

Legal Agreement Requires Assessment of Pesticide Harms to Threatened and Endangered Wildlife

WASHINGTON— The Center for Biological Diversity has reached a legal agreement requiring two federal agencies to assess harms to threatened and endangered wildlife from the direct application of pesticides to waters.

Protecting Endangered Species

Under the agreement, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) must complete consultations under the Endangered Species Act to prevent harm to protected species such as bull trout, pallid sturgeon, and Oregon spotted frogs.

Ending Neglect

“For over a decade, federal agencies have ignored how spraying pesticides into the water harms bull trout, pallid sturgeon, and dozens of other protected species. That changes today,” said Hannah Connor, an attorney at the Center. “This victory will help endangered species across the country, along with the rivers and streams we all depend on.”

Pesticide General Permit

The nationwide pesticide general permit is issued by the EPA under the Clean Water Act every five years. It establishes the requirements for pesticide applications directly to water for purposes such as aquatic weed control, mosquito spraying, and forest canopy pest control.

Ensuring Consultations

In three previous instances, the USFWS failed to complete endangered species consultations, even when requested by the EPA. Under the new agreement, the USFWS will complete consultations prior to the finalization of the next permit by no later than 2025.

Additional Actions for Protection

The agreement also requires that the EPA take additional actions to improve pollution monitoring and other permit compliance requirements under the Clean Water Act to protect freshwater species against harm from these pesticide applications between now and 2025.

Resolution of Lawsuit

The agreement resolves a 2021 lawsuit filed by the Center in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit that challenged the EPA’s failure to complete a required endangered species consultation with the USFWS prior to issuing the pesticide general permit in 2021. The lawsuit also challenged the permit for failing to comply with monitoring and recordkeeping obligations under the Clean Water Act.

Past Failures

A similar failure to assess harms to freshwater species occurred in 2016 when the previous general permit was finalized.

Expanding Protections

In finalizing the permit, the EPA did complete consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service, resulting in protections for oceangoing species like Pacific salmon and steelhead. Consultation with the USFWS under this legal agreement will expand those protections to dozens of freshwater species.

Progress for Rivers and Streams

“This agreement is important progress for improving the health of our rivers and streams and the incredible critters that rely on them,” said Connor. “My hope is that it will be a wake-up call for the USFWS to fully embrace its critical role in preventing harm from pesticides to protected species.”

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
   • Indicator: The assessment of harms to threatened and endangered wildlife from the direct application of pesticides to waters.

2. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
   • Indicator: The requirement for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take additional actions to improve pollution monitoring and other permit compliance requirements under the Clean Water Act to protect freshwater species against harm from pesticide applications.

3. SDG 14: Life Below Water

   • Target 14.2: Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience.
   • Indicator: The completion of consultations under the Endangered Species Act to prevent harm to protected species such as bull trout, pallid sturgeon, and Oregon spotted frogs.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

The article addresses or connects to the following SDGs:

1. SDG 15: Life on Land – The article highlights the need to assess harms to threatened and endangered wildlife from the direct application of pesticides to waters, which aligns with Target 15.5 of taking urgent action to protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
2. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – The article emphasizes the importance of improving water quality and reducing pollution to protect freshwater species from harm caused by pesticide applications. This aligns with Target 6.3 of improving water quality and minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
3. SDG 14: Life Below Water – The article mentions the need to complete consultations under the Endangered Species Act to prevent harm to protected species, including bull trout, pallid sturgeon, and Oregon spotted frogs. This aligns with Target 14.2 of sustainably managing and protecting marine and coastal ecosystems.

The specific targets identified based on the article’s content are:

1. Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
2. Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
3. Target 14.2: Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience.

The indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets are:

• The assessment of harms to threatened and endangered wildlife from the direct application of pesticides to waters.
• The requirement for the EPA to take additional actions to improve pollution monitoring and other permit compliance requirements under the Clean Water Act to protect freshwater species against harm from pesticide applications.
• The completion of consultations under the Endangered Species Act to prevent harm to protected species such as bull trout, pallid sturgeon, and Oregon spotted frogs.

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: biologicaldiversity.org

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