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Wyoming Agriculture Department warns pesticide users about tougher federal certification, endangered‑species rules
Summary
The Wyoming Department of Agriculture told the joint Agriculture committee that federal updates to pesticide certification and endangered‑species protections have raised the bar for private applicator licensing and require new documentation, education and outreach to avoid inadvertent violations.
Doug Miyamoto, director of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture, told the Agriculture, State & Public Lands & Water Resources Committee on Aug. 28 that federal changes to pesticide certification, fumigant use and endangered‑species protections are already affecting Wyoming applicators and will require expanded state outreach and recordkeeping.
Miyamoto said EPA-led certification updates that began after 2017 have narrowed the knowledge gap between private and commercial applicators and raised the testing and training requirements private applicators must meet. "It's harder to get a private applicator's license today than it was, you know, in 2017 or 2018," Miyamoto said, adding that the department has an approved training plan and retains primacy for pesticide certification in Wyoming.
The department also flagged a new endorsement category for fumigants that will require an additional endorsement on top of a vermin or small‑mammal license. Miyamoto likened the endorsement to an extra coupon for archery hunting: if you want to use fumigants routinely you must obtain the separate qualification.
Miyamoto described the most consequential change as a court‑ordered EPA process to consider endangered species when applying pesticides. The new approach links label compliance to a point‑based assessment that looks at specific field characteristics — distance to critical habitat, slope, soil type, presence of conservation practices and nearby surface waters — and requires applicators or their advisers to document those factors. "The label is much more difficult to comply with as a result of this," Miyamoto said, and warned that farmers and applicators will need assistance documenting point totals to remain legal.
Why it matters: Miyamoto said the department will partner with the University of Wyoming extension offices, local county extension agents and other partners to expand education and testing so applicators know the new material required for certification and for endangered‑species label compliance.
Details and department actions - Certification: Wyoming's training plan for pesticide applicators remains approved by federal partners; the department issues restricted‑use applicator licenses. - Fumigant endorsement: A new endorsement category has been added for fumigant use; applicators who routinely apply fumigants must obtain the endorsement in addition to their base license. - Endangered‑species labeling: EPA now requires a field‑by‑field, points‑based approach to determine whether an application is permitted under a product's label in areas near threatened or endangered species; the department will prioritize outreach so applicators can document compliance.
Discussion vs. decisions: the meeting featured discussion and explanations but no formal change in state rules; Miyamoto said Wyoming has primacy for certification and has an operational training program. The committee asked questions about implementation and whether the department can deliver outreach in rural areas.
What comes next: Miyamoto asked legislators to support outreach funding and to expect an increased education workload from the department. He said technical staff are available to help counties and producers prepare for the documentation and testing obligations.
Ending: The department emphasized education and coordination with University of Wyoming extension offices and federal partners to help farmers, small processors and private applicators adapt to the new federal requirements.
