NEW - Pesticide Management Plan Revisions Adopted
On March 9, 2026, the MDA published a notice in the State Register announcing the adoption of the revised version of the Minnesota Pesticide Management Plan (PMP, March 2026) (PDF) (50 SR 36).
The MDA published a draft of proposed revisions to the PMP in July 2025 and opened a 60-day public comment period on the revisions (50 SR 58). A total of six comments were received. No substantial edits were made to the PMP based on comments received. MDA responses to relevant comments are available below.
Related Documents:
- Draft of Proposed Revisions to the PMP (PDF, July 2025)
- Summary of Proposed Revisions to the PMP (PDF, July 2025)
- Comments Received on Proposed PMP Revisions (PDF, March 2026)
- MDA Responses to Comments Received (PDF, March 2026)
Background
The Pesticide Management Plan (PMP) is a guidance document developed by the MDA to protect Minnesota’s water resources from pesticide contamination and is required by the Pesticide Control Law (MINN. STAT. § 18B.045). In accordance with the law, the plan addresses the prevention, evaluation, and mitigation of occurrences of pesticides or pesticide breakdown products in groundwaters and surface waters. Many of the steps outlined in the PMP are directly linked to the statutory requirements and guidance in the Pesticide Control Law (MINN. STAT. § 18B.045) and the Groundwater Protection Act (MINN. STAT. § 18B).
The MDA began developing the PMP in 1990 and published the first version in 1996. The initial PMP was coordinated and developed with other state agency plans and with other state agencies through the Department of Administration's Environmental Quality Board. The University of Minnesota Extension Service, farm organizations, farmers, environmental organizations, and industry groups were involved in the process as directed in the Pesticide Management statute (MINN. STAT. § 18B.045)
Revisions
The PMP was revised in 1998 to refine guidance for surface water decisions and again in 2005 to incorporate changes to MDA programs and other updates. In 2007, the PMP was revised a third time in response to a February 2006 audit of MDA pesticide programs conducted by the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor. The 2006 audit report included recommendations to better address issues of urban pesticide use, aquatic pesticides, and product registration.
In December 2019, the MDA announced it was again revising and updating the PMP (44 SR 773). Shortly after, in 2020, a report from the Office of Legislative Auditor was published that recommended the MDA review the PMP on a regular basis and revise it as necessary. The MDA proceeded with its revisions in response to this recommendation and revised the PMP to correct outdated information, elaborate on certain protocols, and improve the overall clarity of the document. The current PMP was published in March 2026.
Implementation and Status Report
The MDA coordinates the implementation of the PMP. To achieve the plan’s prevention, evaluation, and mitigation goals, the MDA collaborates with Tribes, state agencies, the University of Minnesota, industry groups, and other stakeholders.
Prevention
At its core, the PMP promotes pesticide use, handling, and management practices that are protective of water resources. Preventing contamination is a central principle of the MDA’s pesticide registration and certified applicator programs as well as the Minnesota Ag Water Quality Certification Program. The goal of preventing contamination also drives the development of generic and pesticide-specific best management practices (BMPs). These and other prevention activities are ongoing and may be implemented even when contamination has not been detected. To strengthen these efforts, the MDA established an Education and Promotion Team to assist with developing and implementing activities that prevent the degradation of water resources.
Evaluation
The MDA’s water quality monitoring efforts form the foundation of PMP evaluation activities. Additional evaluation measures include conducting pesticide applicator use surveys, consulting with risk assessors and water quality program staff at the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and reviewing monitoring data by the Pesticide Management Plan Committee. Together these activities aid in assessing the impact of pesticides on water quality and gauging the effectiveness of the MDA’s prevention and mitigation strategies.
Mitigation
The MDA’s mitigation efforts include providing ongoing education and outreach focused on pesticides designated as common detection pesticides in groundwater or as surface water pesticides of concern. Voluntary, pesticide-specific BMPs have been developed and promoted as part of the MDA’s actions to reduce the negative effects of these pesticides. If the commissioner determines additional actions are needed, a range of regulatory and non-regulatory measures are available to implement.
Status Report
The Pesticide Control Law (MINN. STAT. § 18B.045) directs the MDA to submit a biennial status report on the PMP to the Environmental Quality Board and to the House of Representatives and Senate committees with jurisdiction over the environment, natural resources, and agriculture. Copies of previous PMP status reports are available through the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library.
Notification
Notifications of activities related to the state Pesticide Management Plan (PMP), pesticide BMPs, pesticide use, water quality monitoring and related issues will be made via the Non-point Source Pesticide Information distribution list. Complete the MDA's email updates form to subscribe.
Last Updated: March 6, 2026
