MSU Extension Bulletins Live! Two

Frequently asked questions about the Bulletins Live! Two system, pesticide use limitation areas, the Endangered Species Act, generating bulletins, and staying compliant.

Q. Am I required to use Bulletins Live! Two (BLT)?

A. You must only use the BLT website when the pesticide product label directs you to do so.

Q. Bulletin language is unclear to me. Who do I ask for help?

A. You can call the Endangered Species Protection Program Help Desk at 1-844-447-3813 anytime and leave a message if no one is available. Please make sure to include your name and contact information in your message for a swifter response. You may also reach out to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development at MDARD-Pesticide@Michigan.gov or a Michigan State University Extension ag educator for assistance.

Q. How do I know if my pesticide product has use limitations in the Bulletins Live! Two system?

A. Check the product label; the BLT directive is found under the "Direction for use" section of the label.

Q. If I have a product with an older label that does not include the Bulletins Live! Two directive, but the product is now in Bulletins Live! Two, do I have to generate bulletin?

A. No. You are only required to follow the directives on the label that is attached to the product in hand. Older labels that do not include BLT language are not subject to BLT requirements. If it is a product you regularly use, check the BLT website proactively to see if future materials will be restricted in any way so you can anticipate any issues.

Q. Are bulletins enforceable? What happens if I do not follow the bulletin instructions?

A. Yes. When directed by a product label, pesticide applicators are required to visit the BLT website and follow any additional mitigations in the intended application area. Not following the limitation on your bulletin is considered a misuse of the pesticide and enforceable under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. If this misuse results in harm to a listed species, the action may also be enforceable under the Endangered Species Act by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and/or National Marines Fisheries Service. Compliance is the applicator’s responsibility.

Q. If an application is in a pesticide use limitation area (PULA), do I still have to follow the label directions for application or just the directives on the bulletin?

A. All directives on the label and in the bulletin must be followed.

Q. Why are these new regulations being implemented?

A. New enforcement regulations surrounding the Endangered Species Act are the direct result of federal litigation. In an effort to retain the use of most pesticides in most locations, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed the BLT website to isolate and target use limitations to applications with the likelihood of negatively impacting endangered species or their critical habitat. This system avoids blanket restrictions and instead only limits application parameters with negative implications. This approach allows for the continued use of the pesticide in most cases but does require some additional effort on the part of the applicator. Read more about why these changes are happening on the EPA website.

Q. Does the Bulletins Live! Two system identify which species are being protected?

A. No. Bulletins focus on time and location-based use limitations, not species identification.

Q. How do I know when EPA has added a new product to the Bulletins Live! Two system?

A. Michigan State University Extension is generating a BLT Tracker Report every two weeks that includes all products with the BLT directive on the label and highlights products that are newly added to the system. Check out the BLT Tracker Report along with other resources at the Michigan State University Extension BLT website.

Q. How often are bulletins updated?

A. Bulletins can be updated at any time. Changes are anticipated as PULAs and mitigation options are refined over time. Label additions to the BLT system generally occur when pesticides are registered or reviewed for reregistration. It is important to check BLT within 6 months of an application to make sure you are compliant and have the most current information.

Q. What if I do not have internet access?

A. There is a mobile friendly website available called EPA PALM (Pesticide App for Label Mitigations). Visit the EPA website for instructions on how to use this resource. If none of these options work for you, reach out to your local Michigan State University Extension office for assistance with generating a bulletin or understanding the requirements.

Q. What is the difference between a bulletin and a PULA?

A. A bulletin is a downloadable PDF generated by the BLT website that outlines the pesticide use limitations for your specific location and time. A bulletin will indicate what, if any, additional pesticide use limitations are applicable. A PULA is a geographic zone where pesticide restrictions are in place to protect listed endangered species based on specific application parameters (location, date, product). PULA-related details are part of the bulletins.

Q. What does it mean if the label directs me to the Bulletins Live! Two website, but the bulletin provides no additional limitations?

A. This means the bulletin for your location and application month currently has no additional restrictions. However, though not required, you should still generate and retain the bulletin as proof of compliance.

Q. What should I do with a bulletin once generated?

A. Once you generate a bulletin for your application site and month, download and save or print it as proof of compliance and store it with your pesticide records.

Q. How can I find out which species the mitigations are designed to protect?

A. This information is not provided to discourage any possible disturbance of listed species.

Q. Can you still apply a pesticide in a PULA, albeit with limitations?

A. Not always. A small number of bulletins will completely prohibit certain pesticide use patterns. Most bulletins will list limitations and mitigation methods that reduce drift and runoff and allow for application.

Q. If I plan to make multiple applications of a product, do I need to generate a bulletin for each application date?

A. Bulletins must be generated for each application month. Bulletins are generated based on the month of application and must be accessed no more than 6 months prior to the application in question. For example, if you plan to make three applications of the same product at the same location in July, you only need to pull the bulletin once for applications in July and can access the bulletin anytime between Jan. 1 and July 1.

Q. Where will I find the Bulletins Live! Two directive on the pesticide label?

A. The BLT directive is in the pesticide label’s “Directions for Use” section. Look for a section referring to “Endangered and Threatened Species Protection Requirements” followed by the directive to visit the Bulletins Live! Two website.

Q. What if my clients or I am unaware of the Endangered Species Act or Bulletins Live! Two requirements?

A. Many applicators are unaware of these changes. Michigan State University Extension, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and EPA have generated a substantial number of educational resources and training materials that can be accessed through their websites. To view a list of current events and resources, visit the Michigan State University Extension BLT website and the EPA BLT Tutorial website.

Q. What if the monarch butterfly is listed as endangered—how will that affect pesticide applications in Michigan?

A. If the monarch butterfly is listed, many applicators could see an increased number of PULAs. This would significantly expand the need to consult BLT before applications. Stay informed about the upcoming EPA update. To stay updated on this issue, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Save the Monarch website.

Q. How is Michigan State University Extension helping growers handle these changes?

A. Michigan State University Extension offers many resources for growers and pesticide applicators. Visit the following websites to access resources related to Bulletins Live! Two, Integrated Pest Management and Pesticide Safety.