EPA Mandates New Herbicide Management Rules

Farmers must follow new requirements for runoff, erosion, and drift control to protect endangered species

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The EPA has implemented a new Herbicide Strategy that requires farmers to follow strict new rules for herbicide application, including mandatory mitigation measures to prevent runoff, erosion, and spray drift. The strategy is a response to a lawsuit that found the EPA was not properly consulting with wildlife agencies to ensure pesticides do not harm endangered species.

Why it matters

The new EPA regulations aim to better protect vulnerable plant and animal species by placing tighter controls on herbicide use. Farmers will need to carefully follow new label requirements and consult online tools to determine application restrictions in their specific geographic areas. Failure to comply could result in penalties, so farmers must adapt their practices to the new rules.

The details

The new Herbicide Strategy involves switching product registrations from chemical-specific to pesticide group-based assessments. Farmers will need to use the EPA's PALM tool to determine the required runoff/erosion and spray drift mitigation measures for each herbicide. Labels will include more language on these requirements, which may involve using buffers, drift reduction agents, adjusting boom height, and controlling droplet size. Farmers must also be aware of Pesticide Use Limitation Areas (PULAs) where extra precautions are required based on endangered species habitats.

  • The Endangered Species Act was first passed in the early 1970s.
  • Several years ago, a lawsuit found the EPA was not properly consulting wildlife agencies on pesticide impacts.
  • In August 2025, the EPA released the PALM tool to help farmers determine required mitigation measures.
  • The new Herbicide Strategy will apply to all new product registrations and anything going through the reregistration process.

The players

Wesley Everman, Ph.D.

An Iowa State Extension weed specialist who explained the new EPA herbicide regulations.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

A government agency that consults with the EPA on ensuring pesticide use does not endanger species or their habitats.

National Marine Fishery Service

A government agency that consults with the EPA on ensuring pesticide use does not endanger species or their habitats.

EPA Office of Pesticide Programs

The EPA division that regulates herbicide use, labels products, and ensures herbicides are thoroughly vetted.

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What they’re saying

“The Endangered Species Act (ESA) was first passed in the early 1970s. It requires the government and its agencies to make sure any actions taken by them do not endanger any species, the environment. They consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fishery Service (or 'services').”

— Wesley Everman, Iowa State Extension weed specialist (Country Folks)

“Several years ago, there was a lawsuit in which several groups sued the EPA and said 'they aren't consulting with these services to make sure these pesticides are safe and doing no harm.' They went to court and the EPA admitted they haven't been doing that, so the courts annulled all pesticide registrations. The Herbicide Strategy and other strategies are in response to this.”

— Wesley Everman, Iowa State Extension weed specialist (Country Folks)

“Label changes are to encourage people to look at the label. I know some people have never read labels closely. That's going to change – we're going to have to look to see the changes. If there's a complaint or an investigation and [farmers] aren't following the mitigation strategies, those could be actionable offenses.”

— Wesley Everman, Iowa State Extension weed specialist (Country Folks)

What’s next

Farmers and applicators will be required to check Bulletins Live! Two (BL2), a website with specific restrictions for products based on geography, to determine any Pesticide Use Limitation Areas (PULAs) that may have additional application requirements.

The takeaway

The new EPA Herbicide Strategy represents a significant shift in pesticide regulations, placing greater responsibility on farmers to carefully manage herbicide use and prevent runoff, erosion, and spray drift in order to protect endangered species and their habitats. Farmers will need to closely review product labels, utilize new EPA tools, and adapt their practices to comply with the new rules.