For runoff (and erosion), mitigation measures must reach a specific point level indicated on the label—ranging from 0 to 9 points. Bulletins Live! Two (BLT) may show more points than the label specifies, but 9 points is the maximum. The higher level (either that on the label or in BLT) will be the required level to meet. However, as described below, credits can be subtracted based on your site and application conditions. The label includes a website link to the EPA’s Mitigation Menu, which helps you identify what is needed. It provides a step-by-step process to determine if runoff mitigation is necessary and outlines available options. Relief points or credits vary depending on site conditions such as soil type, slope, and rainfall, as well as participation in a qualified conservation program or advice from a technical specialist. Your site’s relief points may meet or exceed the required points, meaning no additional mitigation is needed. The Mitigation Menu details each measure, how they can be used, and the minimum standards for each. Many mitigation or conservation measures will be familiar to you, and credits can be earned for measures you are already implementing that meet standards
- If certain mitigation measures are implemented, additional runoff or erosion controls, such as systems with permanent basins, tailwater return systems, or subsurface tile drains with controlled drainage structures, are not necessary. Similarly, some application methods, like tree injection, soil injection, or small-area applications (less than 1/10 acre or under 1,000 sq. ft.), are less likely to cause runoff or erosion and do not require additional mitigation.
- Mitigation points are cumulative. For example, if you use three practices worth 1 point for keeping records of your mitigation actions, plus 2 points, plus 3 points, the three combined runoff/erosion control practices add up to 6 mitigation points. If a pesticide for your crop or site requires 6 points, you would have enough runoff/erosion mitigation points to use that pesticide. An Excel calculator (scroll down to “Runoff/Erosion Mitigation Options” on the Mitigation Menu page) is available to track measures and credits for each target site.
- The EPA has concluded that counties with medium, low, and very low runoff potential require less runoff and erosion mitigation to protect listed species. Counties with medium runoff vulnerability will earn 2 relief points, those with low vulnerability will receive 3 points, and counties with very low vulnerability will get 6 points. These points count toward reducing the additional mitigation needed, so a field in a county with 6 relief points due to its very low runoff potential wouldn’t need to implement any further runoff or erosion mitigation for a product requiring 6 mitigation points. Relief points will reduce mitigation requirements for about 80% of cultivated agricultural acres and 95% of specialty and minor crop production acres. Click here for the County list (each of the lower 48 states is listed alphabetically).