By Stephen Robertson
If you are a certified pesticide applicator in South Dakota, you probably received a message from the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) about recent changes to South Dakota private applicator pesticide regulations. Those changes affect the requirements to use M-44 predator-control devices, fumigants, and to apply pesticides from aerial vehicles.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determined that the above uses of pesticides are exceptionally risky due to the potential consequences of error, including annual human fatalities. The EPA issued new, more-restrictive regulations concerning these applications to address the increased risk associated with these uses. In response, DANR implemented similar regulations to meet those federal regulations as required by law.
Starting January 1, 2025, private pesticide applicators are required to maintain private applicator endorsements to deploy M-44 cyanide devices for controlling predators, use fumigants for any reason (including grain storage and prairie dog control), and to make applications from aerial vehicles (such as planes, helicopters, UAVs, etc.). To obtain either of these endorsements, a private applicator must pass a written exam covering topic material for the specific use. Once received, the endorsements will run congruently with applicator licenses, expiring on the same date, and can be renewed by attending topic-specific training that will be available during the recertification period.
The exams can only be taken in-person at one of SDSU Extension’s Regional Centers or participating County Offices. You can locate testing sites and schedule to test at any of the locations found on DANR’s Commercial and Private Applicator Testing Sites page. Testing is free of charge, and testers are given four (4) hours to complete each exam (reasonable accommodations are provided on approval). Once acquired, be sure to monitor the status of your license and endorsements so you do not miss your opportunity to recertify those endorsements.
Source : sdstate.edu