On March 2, 2020, EPA published a Federal Register Notice about the proposed revisions to the EPA Plan for the Federal Certification of Applicators of Restricted Use Pesticides within Indian Country (85 FR 12244; docket number EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0037). These proposed revisions bring the 2014 EPA Plan in compliance with the 2017 Certification of Pesticide Applicators regulation. The proposed revisions to the 2014 EPA Plan: 

• continue to provide a mechanism for how private and commercial applicators can become certified to use restricted use pesticides (RUPs) in areas of Indian country where no other EPA-approved certification plan applies,
• establish requirements for demonstrating competency in the proper use and application of RUPs within those areas of Indian country, and
• provide for the enforcement of laws and regulations concerning distribution, sale, and use of RUPs within those areas of Indian country.

The proposed revisions to the EPA Plan can be accessed in the docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0037 or the Tribal Consultation Opportunities Tracking System. The comment period closed on June 1, 2020, for the Federal Register Notice while the tribal consultation period ended on August 3, 2020. If a comment was submitted during the tribal consultation period by mail or was hand delivered, the Agency’s response to those submissions may be delayed due to the COVID-19 public health emergency and its potential effect on mail service.

The 2014 EPA Plan remains in effect until the proposed revisions to the EPA Plan are finalized and implemented.

View options for tribes to establish EPA-recognized certification programs in Indian country.