In October 1991, EPA released the Pesticides and Ground Water Strategy (PB92-225051) which described a new approach to preventing pesticide contamination of the Nation's ground water resources using its regulatory authorities under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The centerpiece of the Strategy is the development and implementation of State Management Plans (SMPs). The SMP approach emphasizes prevention and a cooperative Federal-State partnership in which the States take the lead responsibility for protecting ground water. It provides flexibility to States to tailor pesticide management practices to local conditions and to promote the environmentally sound use of pesticides that might otherwise pose a high risk to ground water resources.