An additional 66 pesticides and degradation products are included in the USGS pesticide analyses, leading to possible detections of non-focal pesticides. One critical part of the SMP is ground-water monitoring.
Baseline monitoring is an initial survey of a county's ground water.
Baseline monitoring is directed by a county rank and the vulnerability of the ground water to pesticide contamination. The county rank is based on the extent of cropland and urban areas in a county, as well as the type and volume of pesticides applied within the county. This information is used to determine the pesticide use intensity for the county. Sampling is targeted to areas that are vulnerable to ground water contamination. Information regarding the number of samples collected in each county can be found here .