Which agency requires an aquatic pesticide permit for application to surface waters for plant and animal control?

The correct answer is the Washington Department of Ecology. This agency is responsible for overseeing the management of water resources in the state, including the regulation of pesticide applications that may impact surface waters. When pesticides are used in or near bodies of water, the potential for affecting aquatic ecosystems necessitates careful oversight to ensure environmental safety and compliance with state regulations.

The requirement for an aquatic pesticide permit is specifically to protect water quality and aquatic habitats from potential harm that could result from pesticide usage. The Department of Ecology sets the standards for these permits and reviews applications to ensure that the proposed pesticide use will not adversely affect water resources.

In contrast, while the Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife are involved in natural resource management and wildlife protection, their primary functions do not specifically include the regulation of pesticide use in aquatic environments to the extent that the Department of Ecology does. The Environmental Protection Agency, while it has a broad regulatory framework for pesticides at the federal level, does not issue permits for specific applications in state waters—that responsibility falls to state agencies like the Department of Ecology.