On June 21, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry approved the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2011 (H.R. 872). The goal of the bill is to prevent the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from requiring a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for pesticide applications that follow proper labeling and intended use requirements. The bill is in response to a 2009 court order that requires those applying pesticides into, over, or near waterbodies to obtain NPDES permits. The final general permit for pesticide applications should be ready by July 30, and will apply beginning on Oct. 31. H.R. 872 would prevent the general permit implementation by amending the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act as well as the Clean Water Act.