| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Amy Bamber |
| August 1, 2006 | (406) 444-5400 |
Repeal of Fairfield Bench herbicide plan proposed
HELENA, Mont. — The Montana Department of Agriculture is soliciting comments from interested parties on a proposal to repeal the state administrative rule that created a specific management plan for Assert herbicide on the Fairfield Bench.
An evaluation of water monitoring data indicates that the presence of the herbicide's active ingredient, imazamethabenz-methyl, in surface water and groundwater has been mitigated since the management plan was created and administrative rules enacted in June 2001.
An advisory committee established as part of the specific management plan
recommended that the administrative rule for the plan be repealed, that
the department's water monitoring efforts be continued, and that the committee
continue to pursue educational opportunities for producers in the Fairfield
Bench.
No hearing is anticipated for the proposal. Comments are due August 24,
2006. A copy of the proposal can be found on the department's website at:
http://agr.mt.gov/reference/administrativeRules.asp. The specific Administrative
Rules of Montana that would be repealed are ARM 4.11.1201 through 4.11.1209.
Comments can be addressed to Amy Bamber, the department's groundwater program manager at 406-444-5400 or by email at abamber@mt.gov.
