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Montana Pesticides Act 

 (Title 27, Chapter 2, Section 213-145, R.C.M. 1947) 



Damage to plants and loss of vegetation from chemical applications can 

 result in soil erosion, debris, sedimentation, and other causes of water 

 pollution. The federal government has enacted several measures to 

 reduce water pollution from the intrusion of these chemicals into surface 

 and groundwaters, and to reduce the destruction or damage to plant life 

 which can result from misuse of such chemicals. State law (enacted in 

 1971) provides for the administration of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, 

 and Rodenticide Act. This function is implemented through the State 

 Department of Agriculture and includes licensing of dealers and applicators 

 of chemical treatments. Competency tests are given to persons applying 

 for licenses and include specifics on forest pest control, seedbed pre- 

 paration, etc. 



Since there is little use of pesticides in silvicultural activities of 

 Montana, this law has a limited effect. However, it does provide a 

 regulatory framework for the use of pesticides, and has alleviated some 

 water quality problems related to misuse of such chemicals (La Rue, 

 personal communication). 



