The Nebraska Pesticide Act provides that the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) shall serve as the lead state agency in matters relating to pesticides and water quality. It further provides that NDA shall work closely with the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, and the Nebraska Department of Health in matters relating to water quality.

As the state lead agency on issues relating to pesticides and water quality, NDA is responsible for development and implementation of state management plans for the prevention, evaluation and mitigation of occurrences of pesticides, or pesticide breakdown products, in ground and surface water. By working closely with those state agencies listed above as well as local Natural Resources Districts and others, NDA can be assured that the plans will be more comprehensive and effective in addressing these issues.