Congressman John Carney is backing a measure that would eliminate some of the permitting requirements for registering pesticides near navigable waters.
The Wilmington News Journal reports that the pesticides would still be regulated by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act.
The Delaware Democrat says that the additional permitting process under the Clean Water Act places a burden on state agencies which does not allow them to carry out other important tasks such as mosquito management.
The legislation was approved by the House on a vote of 267-to-161 and got the support of Maryland Republican Congressman Andy Harris.
But the prospect for passage in the Senate is doubtful with Democrats saying it removes safeguards that protect human health and the environment.
