The mission of the division is to protect people and the environment from any adverse effects of pesticide use while maintaining the availability of pesticides for beneficial uses; to assure that effective fertilizer items are provided for agricultural and consumer uses. The Division is organized into six different components: pesticide user licensing and recertification, pesticide registrations, pesticide compliance monitoring, and fertilizers, Pesticide Analytical and Response Center, and pesticide use reporting.

Pesticides Division distributes an email newsletter. If you wish to receive the emails, please send an email to the link below (note: if you currently hold a pesticide license, please include your license number):

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has announced a new Clean Water Act permit requirement for certain pesticide applications, in, over, or near waters of the State. This new permit - a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) pesticide general permit - is required by a Federal Court order and is implemented in Oregon by the DEQ under an agreement with the US EPA.

The permit specifically regulates pesticide applications in, over, or near water to control: (1) mosquitoes and other flying insect pests; (2) weeds and algae; (3) nuisance animals; (4) forest canopy pests; and (5) other pests that must be controlled under area-wide programs.

All individuals, businesses, and property owners responsible for pesticide applications in the five categories listed above must comply with certain basic requirements of the permit. A higher level of permit conditions is required for all federal and state agencies, weed and vector control districts, and for certain other entities that exceed annual treatment area thresholds.

Questions should be directed to the DEQ Permit Coordinator, Beth Moore, at moore.beth@deq.state.or.us or 503-229-6402.