Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association

Last month, IEPA presented information about the new NPDES pesticide permit requirement at the IFCA convention.  This is a new federal regulation that went into effect in November 2011.  IFCA has published a fact sheet that explains the types of applications that require a permit, how to file for a permit and the recordkeeping requirements.  We are still working with IEPA to clarify the situation in which pesticide applications made to dry ditches may require a permit, so stay tuned.  For now, it is clear that aquatic applications, applications for mosquito control and certain wide-spread applications such as aerial treatments over forest canopies will require a permit.  If you plan to make such applications this spring, you should appy for a permit and the fact sheet can walk you through the process.  Indivdidual landowners and private citizens are NOT exempt if they apply pesticides in a manner covered by this program.  Please contact IFCA if you have questions about this program.  This is a Clean Water Act regulation and violations can be as high as $28,000 per day.  Currently there is no fee for a NPDES pesticide permit. 

The ammonia schools starting this week are taught by IFCA and the IL Dept of Agriculture.  Because of IFCA's partnership with IDA, these training programs are the only ones that feature an overview of what IDA inspectors look for at the facilities, a review of actual accidents that IDA investigated and recommendations from IDA for preventive measures.  Please go to ifca.com to view the dates and locations of the schools.  We welcome walk-ins! 

There is still time and open seating available at some of the new Asmark Institute Professional Applicator Training (PAT) courses.  Registration is still open for Lexington on March 6, Canton on March 9, Ottawa on July 31, Shipman on August 2 and Bloomington on August 3. 

If you would like to register employees to attend this innovative class taught by Dr. Bob Wolf, please click on the following link

https://www.asmark.org/TrainingCourses/ .



Once directed to the website page, click on Professional Applicator Training (1day) then simply click on the date and location you wish to attend. If you are already an Asmark client choose option 1 and enter your five digit facility ID. If you are not an Asmark Institute client, please choose option 2 by entering the five digit IFCA member code (10980) and follow the online registration instructions. If you are not a member of IFCA but would like to register, simply choose option 3 and follow the online registration instructions. If you would like to learn more about subject material offered in this course, click on the link above, then click on the "Information" link. If you have any questions, please contact the IFCA office.

  

The Illinois Secretary of State CDL office has notified IFCA of issues drivers are having when they go to a facility to update medical card information.  To avoid issues at a CDL facility when submitting medical card information go to the IFCA website and click on the second article under the SOS Medical Card Self-Certification Procedures.  Following these instructions can save a lot of headache. 

Just a quick reminder, Tier II reports and Pesticide Production reports are due March 1, 2012. Don't forget to attach a current MSDS for products reported on your Tier II. IEMA is under a court order following a lawsuit to require current MSDS when submitting a Tier II report.