By Times-Picayune Staff

The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee approved legislation last week that would bar the Environmental Protection Agency from requiring permits for spraying pesticides in waterways already approved under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act.

Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., said that spraying is needed to reduce the threat of disease-carrying mosquitoes, and delays to obtain EPA permits are unacceptable. "The flooding this spring has heightened concerns about the public health risks associated with mosquitoes and other insect infestations," Cochran said.

Environmentalists said the bill would increase the risk of pesticides entering drinking water and vital wetlands while putting fishing stocks at risk.

The bill attempts to reverse a 2009 court ruling requiring pesticide users to obtain an EPA permit before spraying directly into waterways. Jason Rylander, senior staff attorney for Defenders of Wildlife, said "Members of Congress should be making sure that our water is safe for drinking, swimming and fishing, not giving pesticide users carte blanche to continue poisoning the water that we all depend on."