GROUND WATER PROTECTION
STATE OF INDIANA DRAFT GENERIC
PESTICIDE MANAGEMENT PLAN
The intent of this generic SMP is to utilize existing governmental programs to the maximum extent. The interagency cooperation that produced this plan will continue during the plan implementation and operation. This component describes existing programs that will be incorporated in the generic SMP as well as expanded or new elements that are anticipated in the development of the generic SMP.
Committee membership includes representatives from all state programs with statutory responsibilities for the management of Indiana's ground water.
Representation consists of Indiana
Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), Office of Indiana
State Chemist and Seed Commissioner (OISC), Indiana Department
of Natural Resources (IDNR), Indiana State Department of Health
(ISDH), Office of the State Fire Marshal, Labor, Environmental,
Agriculture, Business and Local Government.
Pesticides are regulated by the Indiana Pesticide Review Board through Indiana Pesticide Registration Law (I.C. 15-3-3.5) and Indiana Pesticide Use and Application Law (I.C. 15-3-3.6). The pesticide section of the Office of Indiana State Chemist and Seed Commissioner (OISC) is charged with the administration of Indiana's pesticide law and also represents the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) in Indiana for the purpose of enforcing the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). OISC maintains a complete label file for all pesticides registered for sale or use in the state of Indiana.
OISC pesticide section currently manages several programs. These programs include:
Other OISC pesticide-related programs include: CLEAN SWEEP--the collection and proper disposal of suspended, canceled or unwanted pesticides, and pesticide container collection and recycling.
A full time field staff of five performs inspections at licensees, samples pesticide products and devices, and investigates complaints concerning the use or alleged misuse of pesticide products.. OISC will serve as the lead agency and primary communication link with US EPA for purposes of developing generic and pesticide specific state management plans (SMP's).
Under the authority of the Environmental Management Act (I.C. 13-7), the Indiana Department of Environmental Management Office of Water Management has developed two key strategies that provide the basis for the protection and management of Indiana's ground water. These strategies are the Comprehensive State Ground Water Protection and Management Strategy and the Non-Point Source Strategy.
Under these strategies various efforts have been identified that will be integral to the development of a generic SMP. These efforts include but are not limited to the development of a state-wide pesticide occurrence database, ground water and surface water quality standards, well head protection programs for public water supply wells and water quality monitoring.
The IDEM Office of Water Management (OWM) Drinking Water Branch Ground Water Section is responsible for the implementation of the Comprehensive State Ground Water Protection and Management Strategy. A state-wide ground water quality database, ground water quality standards, well head protection programs for public water supply wells and water quality monitoring programs are currently being developed. Other programs administered include response to alleged pesticide in ground water contamination complaints, follow up ground water sampling in response to pesticide fire and/or spill events, and providing technical support to the IDEM Office of Water Management Drinking Water Branch Compliance Section.
The IDEM OWM Drinking Water Branch Compliance Section implements both federal and Indiana's Safe Drinking Water Statutes and rules adopted under these laws in Indiana. Program responsibilities include informing public water supply systems (PWSS) of their monitoring and reporting requirements and ensuring compliance through review of PWSS monitoring reports and review of the analytical results of the PWSS water sampling. Indiana Safe Drinking Water rules currently require PWSS to periodically sample quarterly for synthetic organic chemicals (Appendix A) including: atrazine, simazine, cyanazine, alachlor and metolachlor. Over time compliance with this requirement will expand the amount of information concerning the water quality of public drinking water sources in Indiana.
IDEM Office of Emergency Response (OER) Emergency Response Section coordinates all incidents reported as a result of a pesticide fire or spill. When it is required to do so the Office of Environmental Response is responsible for containment of the source, an assessment of the environmental impact and clean up of the event. Information gathered as a result of an OER investigation is forwarded to OISC and to the IDEM Office of Water Management Drinking Water Branch Ground Water Section.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Division of Water administers water resource management regulations (I.C. 13-2). The Division's efforts provide water quantity management including surface and ground water investigations, water planning, ambient water quality data collection, water information management, water well driller examination and licensing, water well construction standards, water well abandonment standards, and water infrastructure regulation. The Division's administration also oversees a cooperative water resources data collection and monitoring program with the U.S. Geological Survey.
Beginning in 1959 a water well drilling log was required to be filed for each water well constructed in Indiana. The IDNR Division of Water maintains records of an estimated 300,000 water well drilling logs. The log is identified by a unique number and contains information concerning the location, well depth, well construction, geologic setting and pump test for each water well. Each year the IDNR Division of Water receives approximately 12,000 new water well records. A water well record database is being developed which will enable studies of climatic effects on aquifer yield, ground water modeling efforts, ground water recharge, and surface/ground water interactions. This data provides essential support to ground water development, management and protection programs.
The IDNR Division of Soil Conservation mission is to facilitate the conservation and proper management of Indiana's soil and water resources by (1) providing assistance to the 92 soil and water conservation districts, and (2) coordinating implementation of the state's T by 2000 erosion/sediment and water quality protection program.
Under the authority of the State Soil Conservation Board (I.C. 14-32), the Division of Soil Conservation carries out this mission through the following involvement: assists districts in planning coordinating and training for adult and youth conservation education; provides to districts agricultural-related soil and water conservation technical assistance; provides through districts urban development-related soils interpretive and erosion control expertise; assists districts and other federal, state, and local entities in carrying out those aspects of their programs that are related to erosion/sediment reduction and water quality protection; administers a lake and river enhancement program to control sediment and associated nutrient inflow into public access lakes and rivers (including their tributaries and perennial streams) and to accomplish actions that will forestall or reverse the impact of such inflow.
The Indiana plan for health is developed under authority given to the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) (I.C. 16-1-3.4). The plan states that "The state board shall carry out health planning and resources development responsibilities and functions within the State." The ISDH Epidemiology Resource Center provides technical assistance on assessing the risk of pesticides on certain human populations.
The ISDH Sanitary Engineering Provides technical assistance to ISDH local health jurisdictions and to the public on matters relating to water systems not under the jurisdiction of IDEM. This would include water systems having less than 15 service connections, and/or water systems serving less than an average twenty-five (25) individuals fewer than sixty (60) days each year. Incidences of known or suspected contamination of private water supplies may be investigated by ISDH Local Health Services. Private water supplies may be tested for the presence of contaminants. No standards exist for pesticides in private water systems and sampling of private water supply systems is limited due to budgetary and manpower restrictions.
Under the authority granted to Indiana University (I.C. 20-12-28) the Indiana Geological Survey (IGS) is to study the geology of Indiana for the benefit of it's citizens. This mission is accomplished by: (1) providing geologic information about the energy, mineral, and ground water resources and geologic related hazards of Indiana, (2) archiving geologic materials and the collection and storage of other physical and chemical data on geologic materials, (3) provide public service, information, and educational programs, (4) engage in research, (5) participate in cooperative studies and contractual projects with the department (IDNR) and other agencies of state or federal government, (6) participate in cooperative studies and contractual projects with universities, (7) disseminate published maps and reports.
The Indiana Geological Survey may also do the following through contractual agreements: (1) provide IDNR with information on the geologic occurrence of ground water and the vulnerability of this resource to contamination, (2) provide to IDNR and other state agencies geologic information needed for the effective regulation of the mineral, water and energy resources of Indiana, (3) perform geotechnical investigations, and (4) provide general geotechnical consultation and assistance as may be needed from time to time.
Specific to the development and implementation of the generic SMP, IGS published the Atlas of Hydrogeologic Terrains and Settings of Indiana Northern Part (Appendix B). A second report, Atlas of Hydrogeologic Terrains and Settings of Indiana Southern Part is currently under review. These data will be utilized in the development of aquifer vulnerability to pesticide maps and determining distinct hydrogeologic conditions in preparation of baseline monitoring.
A statistically valid program for monitoring pesticides in ground water in the state of Indiana (Appendix C) will be developed as a cooperative project of Indiana University Department of Geological Sciences, IGS, IDEM Office of Water, IDNR Division of Water, US Geological Survey, and OISC.
The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) issues reports containing on-farm fertilizer and agricultural chemical use statistics. Reports issued in the past three (3) years covered agricultural chemical use on field crops (Ag Ch 1 95), vegetables (Ag Ch 1 93) and fruit and nuts (Ag Ch 1 92). The data presented in the reports are part of the data series on chemical use funded through the Water Quality Initiative.
The Water Quality Initiative is a multi-agency program designed to provide growers, ranchers, and foresters the knowledge and technical means to respond independently and voluntarily to address on-farm and off-farm environmental concerns. In the past, there has been an inadequate amount of farm level data to determine the magnitude of water quality problems or to permit an assessment of alternatives for growers and other affected parties. These data will help fill some of the data needs that analysts require to find solutions to the complex environmental issues of the 1990's.
In Indiana, the Indiana Agricultural Statistics Service is the state statistical office responsible for collecting on-farm agricultural chemical use information to support the evaluation of water quality and food safety issues. These data will be utilized in the development of aquifer vulnerability to pesticide maps for Indiana.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides conservation technical assistance for the management and utilization of our soil, water, air, plant and animal resources through the Conservation Technical Assistance Program (CO-01). NRCS assists individuals, groups and units of government to develop "Conservation Plans" (Comprehensive Resource Management Plans) that address the treatment and management needs for soil, water, air, plant and animal resources on a given tract of land. The treatment and management is established through "Standards" developed by the NRCS. NRCS delivers technical assistance through field office staff and local Soil and Water Conservation Districts located in each county.
NRCS also provides technical assistance to small watersheds through the PL 566 Program (WF-08). The PL 566 Program addresses flood control/and or land treatment needs to preserve soil and water resources. NRCS assistance in these projects range from flood control through the construction of dams, reservoirs, and stream channel improvements, as well as land treatment to address soil erosion and water quality issues. The land treatment is done through a combination of technical assistance and cost-sharing to implement practices (Standards) to treat resources to a designated "Quality Criteria." This assistance and cost-sharing is carried out through long-term contracts between the land user and NRCS. The contracts are written to cover a 3-10 year period to implement the needed treatment.
The NRCS Watershed Planning Program (PL-06) provides for cooperation with local sponsors, state, and other public agencies in planning works of improvement in approved watershed projects. Such works of improvement reduce floodwater and sediment damage. They also further the conservation, development, utilization, and disposal of water, including the development of multipurpose facilities for such uses as recreation, improvement of fish and wildlife habitat, irrigation, and water supply to municipal and industrial users. This program is initiated by application by local units of government to the state office.
NRCS Resource Conservation and Development Program (RCD-11) provides assistance to locally sponsored RC&D areas to conserve and improve the use of lands , develop natural resources and improve and enhance the social, economic and environmental conditions. The program is initiated by application by local units of government, agencies, or organizations to the RC&D council.
NRCS Soil Surveys Program (CO-02) inventory the nation's basic soil resources. The surveys are utilized to determine land capabilities and conservation treatment needs. Soil survey publications include interpretations useful to the pesticide SMP development process. Modern soil surveys have been completed and published for each county in Indiana at a 1:24,000 or more detailed scale. Efforts have begun to digitize these county maps in accordance with NRCS standards. In addition, digital 1:250,000 scale soil association maps have been published. The 1:250,000 scale data will be utilized in developing aquifer vulnerability to pesticide map products.
The authority for Purdue University to provide education programs was established in 1862 through the signing of the Land-Grant Act by President Lincoln. The land grant act gave each state public lands which they could sell and use as an endowment to start a university. The Hatch Act of 1887 established Agricultural Experiment Stations. These events form the foundation of a research oriented approach to problem identification and their respective solutions associated with the production of food and fiber in the United States today.
Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service (CES) is a statewide educational organization, funded by national, state and county governments, that helps Indiana citizens put research-based knowledge to work. CES is the largest adult education system in Indiana. During 1994 CES conducted 92,002 educational presentations at state, area and county meetings. The adult attendance during these presentations totaled 1,271,854. In addition, Purdue University CES provided information to 46,896 Farm/Home/Business contacts - an annual average of 510 contacts per office. Communication of information was also transferred through walk-in and telephone contact, radio, television, news stories and newsletter distributions.
Purdue University CES provides most of the training of private and commercial pesticide applicators. Private applicator training occurs at the county or area level, whereas most commercial applicators receive training at state level organized sessions. Certification exams are provided by OISC at many training sessions. Training and education occur primarily through annual certification schools, workshops and bulletins. These activities are coordinated by Purdue Pesticide Programs.
Responsibility for conducting research, training and publishing educational materials for pesticide education programs is shared by departments at Purdue University CES.
The Indiana aquifer vulnerability to pesticide maps are being developed through research led by the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABEN). In addition, ABEN currently conducts research and transfers technology to growers and industry to improve pesticide storage and pesticide application equipment including site-specific application technologies. Pesticide related water quality field research is led by the Department of Agronomy. The Department of Agronomy currently conducts research on pesticide degradation, pesticide solubility, soil water transport processes, soil chemistry, soil microbiology, drainage and tillage. The Department of Agronomy also provides research and educational resources for the lawn, sports turf and golf course industries. The Departments of Botany and Plant Pathology, Horticulture and Forestry and Natural Resources conduct field demonstrations and research concerning pesticide product effectiveness for controlling specific weed and disease pests in various management systems. Information developed through these activities provide pesticide safety, pesticide use and pesticide rate recommendations for weed and disease control in grain, fruit, vegetable, ornamental and forest production systems. The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program for Indiana is located and administered through the Department of Entomology. The IPM program research, training and publications provides economic threshold information to enable grower decisions concerning implementation, technique and timing of control measures for weed, disease and insect pests.
Extension educators, specialists and administrators located in county, area and state offices coordinate their efforts to achieve the mission of the Purdue University CES. The Purdue University CES mission is the education of Indiana citizens through application of the land-grant university research and knowledge base, for the benefit of agriculture, youth, families, and communities.
The Soil Water Conservation Districts Act (I.C. 13-3-1) provides that any county within this state containing a city of the first class shall have a Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). The SWCD shall constitute a governmental subdivision of this state, and a public body corporate and politic, exercising public powers. SWCD's are administered by a governing body of five supervisors who are elected to their posts. The legislature determined that there was a pressing need for the conservation of soil and water resources in all areas of the state, whether urban, suburban or rural, and that the benefits of soil and water conservation practices, programs and projects, as carried out by SWCD's, should be available to all such areas.
The primary purposes of SWCD's are: (1) The study, planning and implementation of projects for the prevention of soil erosion and flood damage; and (2) to further the conservation, development, utilization, and disposal of water in the watersheds of the state.
SWCD's receive assistance in carrying out their work from SWCD district staff, personnel of the IDNR Division of Soil, USDA NRCS, and Purdue University CES. The powers and duties of the district related to the implementation of a pesticide SMP include but are not limited to: (1) Development of comprehensive plans for the conservation of soil and water resources within the district. These plans may include the specification of engineering operations, methods of cultivation, the growing of vegetation, cropping programs, tillage practices, and changes in the uses of land. The SWCD's publish such plans and information and bring them to the attention of occupiers of lands within the district. (2) Make available on terms it prescribes, to land occupiers within the district, agricultural and engineering machinery and equipment, fertilizer, seeds, seedlings, and such other material or equipment, as will assist land occupiers to carry on operations upon their lands for the conservation of soil and water resources. (3) Cooperate with the government of this state or any of its agencies in conducting demonstration projects within the district.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS), established in 1879, has historically been and is currently involved in many investigations of ground water, surface water and water quality. The water resources division was created in 1984. The water resources division is charged with "the gauging of the streams and determining the water supply of the United States, including the investigation of underground currents and artesian wells in arid and semiarid sections..." The mission of the USGS Water Resource Division is to appraise the Nation's water resources and to provide the hydrologic information needed for managing these resources. This mission is accomplished through cooperative projects with state and local agencies and other federal agencies, as well as through directed initiatives. Studies that have been completed or are currently being conducted include investigations of a national regional and local scale. Examples of these include:
Publications currently available through the USGS include Hydrogeologic Atlas of Aquifers in Indiana and The Summary of Pesticides in Ground-Water Data Collected by Government Agencies in Indiana, December 1985 - April 1991 (Open File Report 93-133). Information and data available through USGS studies and reports will be utilized in the assessment of aquifer vulnerability to pesticide maps. Monitoring wells developed during USGS studies will be considered as potential sampling sites for the baseline monitoring network.
Pesticide registrants develop pesticide product labeling as part of the federal pesticide registration process. Pesticide labels contain specific instruction concerning human health and environmental hazards, storage, sale, use, application, and container disposal. This information is required to accompany each package of pesticide product offered for sale or use in the United States. Pesticide registrants also develop product literature and support dealer and grower training sessions concerning the use and application of pesticide products. The development of supplemental labeling, literature and training materials to support the implementation of a pesticide specific SMP require considerable effort from industry.
The specific roles of state and federal agencies whose program activities fulfill components of the generic state management plan will formally be coordinated through memorandums of understanding (Appendix D.) Discussions of roles and responsibilities have occurred as a result of Indiana Ground Water Task Force work group activities; however, specific roles with respect to the State Management Plan process are still being refined.
To view a table of various federal and Indiana agencies and the SMP component they might be involved in, click here.