EPA wants to issue a nation-wide general permit to comply with a court order that the Agency require Clean Water Act NPDES permits for pesticide applications to, over, or near waters of the United States. The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit granted EPA’s request for two years to develop a general permit.  On March 3, 2011, EPA asked for an extension of time until October 31, 2011, to complete development and issuance of the permit.  EPA gave the time needed for ESA consultation on the permit with NMFS and FWS as one reason for the extension:

Read the entire article attached below.  Also attached below is EPA’s motion for more time.

esa63             ESA62