The United States Court of Appeals granted EPA’s request for an extension until October 31, 2011, of the court-ordered deadline for producing a general permit authorizing pesticide spraying activities under the federal Clean Water Act.  Environmental groups suing EPA for the permit had opposed this long an extension.  According to EPA, the need for ESA consultation over pesticides is one reason why EPA needed this much additional time. The Court granted EPA’s motion for more time without any accompanying opinion.