Environmental Protection Program

The environmental protection program embodies those activities undertaken by the Division to protect the state's environment from contamination by pesticides.

Activities include the development and administration of efforts to meet federal and state requirements for water protection, pollinator protection resources, the design and implementation of monitoring programs to assess the impact of pesticides and management programs on water quality, reviewing special permit applications and imposing conditions to minimize risk of pesticide contamination, participating in other state programs relative to the protection of human health and the environment, for example, the Source Water Protection Program administered by the NH Department of Environmental Services, and conducting outreach and education in matters pertaining to pesticides and the environment.

Special Permit Applications

• Right-of-way (ROW) Use this form only for Right-of-Way and Woodland easement requests
• Watershed Use this form for easement requests for areas subject to setbacks (i.e. surface waters, public wells, etc)
• Please contact the Division if a special permit is needed for bird control, mosquito control, aquatic use, or aerial application.

Water Quality Protection

• Setback Brochure
• A "setback" is the distance from certain pesticide activity, specifically, applying, mixing and loading, and storage from water resources. This brochure identifies the relative setback distances.
• Watershed Brochure
• Public Water Supply Watersheds are protected given the critical drinking water resource. This brochure defines the watershed and related setback.

Pollinator Protection

Pollination is the transfer of pollen from a male part of a plant to a female part of a plant. There are many living things that carry pollen including managed honey bees, native bees, wasps, birds, bats, beetles, butterflies, moths, flies, and other insects.  Pollinator protection is a consideration when choosing to use a pesticide.  Following the product label when using a pesticide is required and the label may contain specific information in regard to pollinators.  There are a number of resources in regard to pollinator protection and pesticides.  The following resources are provided for a number of different reasons including considering pesticide use, attracting pollinators and providing pollinator habitat:

Resources

United States Environmental Protection Agency https://www.epa.gov/pollinator-protection

University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension Resources:

University of New Hampshire Pollinator Habitats [webpage] https://extension.unh.edu/agriculture-gardens/yard-garden/pollinator-habitat

Simple Ways to Help Pollinators https://extension.unh.edu/blog/simple-ways-help-pollinators

Pollinator Plants for Northern New England Gardens [fact sheet] https://extension.unh.edu/resource/pollinator-plants-northern-new-england-gardens-fact-sheet

Wildflower Meadows – Plant Selection and Establishment https://extension.unh.edu/resource/wildflower-meadows-plant-selection-and-establishment

Bee Nest Box Guidelines https://extension.unh.edu/resource/bee-nest-box-guidelines

Ten Things To Do To Save The Bees https://extension.unh.edu/resource/ten-things-do-save-bees

Bees and Their Habitats in Four New England States [bulletin] https://extension.unh.edu/resource/bees-and-their-habitats-four-new-england-states-bulletin

 

Rodenticide Notice - Wildlife Concern

The use of poisons for rodent control should be the last option to consider.  If poisons are used strict adherence to pesticide regulations is imperative.

The New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food mirrors the following advice provided by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program in response to a bald eagle death to a second-generation anticoagulant rodenticide (SGAR) in Massachusetts in 2021:

MassWildife officials, in partnership with Tufts Wildlife Clinic, provide the following advice for homeowners with a rodent problem to minimize harm to wildlife:

• Rodent-proof your home. Before using a poison, remove or securely contain any potential food sources for rodents. Repair any exterior areas of your home to prevent rodents from coming inside.
• Arm yourself with information. Consider alternatives to poison, such as snap traps. Poisons should be used as a last resort. Be sure to check the active ingredients and opt for products that contain bromethalin, chlorophacinone, or diphacinone. Use poisons only in bait stations as per the label instructions and avoid any in pellet form.

• Ask your pest control company questions. Look for an integrated pest management company that uses multiple approaches to pest control instead of relying solely on poisons. You can request that the company avoid using SGAR products including brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum, or difethialone.