Option C User Guide

Overview

The Option C Text File Validator is an application designed to assist you in electronically reporting Pesticide Reporting Law (PRL) information to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). You can use this validation program to check whether ASCII text files that you (or a third-party program) have created conform to the the NYSDEC guidelines. The required file format is described in the Text File Specifications.

Each time you run the program you are asked to enter or verify some basic contact information. You can then validate your report files and submit them to the NYSDEC if they pass.  Reports which do not pass validation may be returned or rejected by the Pesticide Reporting Service Bureau.

Option C runs under Microsoft Windows^®.

After you download the Option C installation file, see the PRL Software Installation Guide to help you install the software on your computer.

If you need further assistance, contact the Pesticide Reporting Service Bureau.

Getting Started

There are a couple of ways¹ to open up the main window:

• Double-click the  "PRL Option C" shortcut on your computer’s desktop.
• Click on the Windows Start button and navigate to Programs -> Pesticide Reporting -> PRL Option C.  Windows 8 users will have a  "PRL Option C" icon on their Start Screen.

A message box saying something like “Data directory created called 'C:\PRL2011'.” may appear. This is normal. The data directory is the location to which your data files will be written.  The Registration form then opens.

Entering Contact and Identity Information

Use the Registration form to tell us who to contact when we communicate with you about your report.  You also need to provide identification information so that we can associate your report with the correct applicator(s) or organization.

Are you in the pesticide application or sales business?

Reporting for Multiple Applicators

Decide Which File Types to Use

After you have filled out the Registration form information, determine which file types or forms to create.  If you have multiple applicators to include on your report, we recommend using a Form 26A to enter their information.  The pesticide applications they made should be entered on a Form 26.  If any of the applicators that you are reporting for made any applications during the report year, you should submit a Form 26.

If you are reporting for a pesticide sales business and you sell restricted use pesticides, create a Form 25.  If you sell pesticides to private applicators, we will need a Form 27.  If you entered a commercial permit number, you must submit either a Form 25 or a Form 27 or both.

You can report two different types of sales on Form 25; report either sales to another commercial permit holder who will resell the products or sales to commercial applicators for their end use.  If you have both types of sales to report, please send us a separate form for each type.  However you do not need to complete a form for the type of sales you did not make (but you still need to report even if you did not make any sales).

Validating Files

The Option C program is designed to validate ASCII text files only. Other file types cannot be checked. Files are checked for compliance with the PRL Text File Specifications. The specifications are also available on the Help menu under “File Format Guidelines”.

For step-by-step instructions on using Option C to validate your files, see text file validation steps.

Other Registration Form Functions

There are several buttons and menu items available on the Registration form that can help you prepare and submit your PRL report.