GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE By Casey Reynolds, PhD


TPI continues to work on behalf of its members in the wide arena of government affairs. Te following report highlights the most recent activity.


EPA Releases Interim Registration Review Decision on Oxadiazon


On April 28, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its Interim Review Decision on several pesticides as part of its periodic review of pesticide registrations. Te Federal Insecticide, Rodenticide, and Fungicide Act (FIFRA) mandates the continuous review of existing pesticides. All pesticides distributed or sold in the United States must be registered by EPA based on scientific data showing that they will not cause unreasonable risks to human health or to the environment when used as directed on product labeling. In 2006, the Agency began implementing the registration review program. EPA will review each registered pesticide every 15 years. Trough the registration review program, the Agency intends to verify that all registered pesticides continue to meet the registration standard as the ability to assess and reduce risk evolves and as policies and practices change. By periodically re-evaluating pesticides as science, public policy, and pesticide-use practices change, the Agency ensures that the public can continue to use products in the marketplace that do not present unreasonable adverse effects.


One active ingredient currently under review that is of key interest to sod producers is oxadiazon, a pre-emergence herbicide labeled for use on many weed species of annual grasses, primarily crabgrass and goosegrass. TPI has been working with EPA on this registration review since at least August of 2021 when the Proposed Interim Registration Review Decision was posted to the EPA’s public document in the U.S. Federal Register. As a result, TPI and nine individual sod producers submitted comments for EPA’s consideration on oxadiazon’s importance in sod farms and the potential impacts of this registration review decision on those who use it.


Most of the proposed changes to the oxadiazon label revolve around rate reductions, limitations on liquid applications, post-application irrigation, and others. A summary of the Interim Registration Review’s recommendations are as follows:


For Sod Farms


• Oxadiazon will be classified as a Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP)


• A yearly maximum application rate of 6.0 lbs ai/acre/ year for all use sites


• A single maximum application rate of 3.0 lbs ai/acre, reduced from a previous maximum of 4.0 lbs ai/acre


• Up to two liquid applications per year of oxadiazon


• A 60-day re-treatment interval is required between applications


• A 10-foot vegetative buffer is required between treated areas and surface water


• Torough post-application irrigation is required as soon as possible on the same day of application


For other Turf Sites (golf courses, parks, athletic fields)


• Oxadiazon will be classified as a Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP)


• A yearly maximum application rate of 6.0 lbs ai/acre/ year for all use sites


• A single maximum application rate of 3.0 lbs ai/acre, reduced from a previous maximum of 4.0 lbs ai/acre.


• Limit of one liquid application per year at a max rate of 3 lbs ai/acre


• Golf courses only - Restrict treatment of up to 30 percent of golf course managed turf with a required 10-ft vegetative surface water buffer


• Golf courses only - Allow up to two granular applications at 4 lbs ai/A in areas of heavy weed pressure only


• Prohibit Mechanically Pressurized Handgun (MPHG) on all sites except golf course turf


•


Restrict liquid backpack applications in turf to spot treatments only (1,000 sq ft or less)


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TPI Turf News July/August 2022


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