Public Comment Sought on Water Quality Best Management Practices

 The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is soliciting public comments on draft water quality best management practices (BMPs) for the use of the fungicide chlorothalonil. Submit comments by October 22, 2025.

 In response to concerning levels of 4-hydroxychlorothalonil, a degradate of chlorothalonil, in groundwater samples, MDA has developed these voluntary BMPs to aid growers and applicators in preventing and minimizing the degradation of Minnesota’s water resources. These BMPs were developed by the MDA in consultation with the University of Minnesota Extension and others to address impacts of chlorothalonil use on water resources in Minnesota. The draft BMPs are available at: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/chlorothalonil-fungicide or by contacting Eric Burkness at eric.burkness@state.mn.us. The notice for public comment was published on September 22, 2025, and can be viewed on the Minnesota State Register / Minnesota.gov (Volume 50, Number 12).

The MDA will accept comments through October 22, 2025. Comments can be submitted by email to eric.burkness@state.mn.us (Subject: Chlorothalonil BMPs Comment) or by letter at the following address:

Eric Burkness

Pesticide and Fertilizer Management Division

Minnesota Department of Agriculture

625 Robert Street North, Saint Paul, MN, 55155

Please contact Eric Burkness at (eric.burkness@state.mn.us, 651-201-6217) with any questions or requests for more information regarding the proposed BMPs for chlorothalonil.