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News Archive: August 2011

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This information is provided for reference. Over time, links to news items may become unavailable, in these cases the item will remain listed, but no link will be provided. Also, please be aware that the information in any particular article may be outdated or superseded by additional information.

August 24
Comment Period Extended for Chlorpyrifos Preliminary Human Health Risk Assessment
EPA is extending the current comment period on the chlorpyrifos preliminary human health risk assessment for 30 days, in response to requests from several stakeholder groups. The comment period is extended from September 6, 2011 to October 6, 2011. The Agency recognizes that in view of the complex, robust scientific database and studies available for chlorpyrifos and the associated science issues, additional time for public comment is warranted. The comment period extension was announced in a Federal Register notice published Wednesday, August 24, 2011.

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

August 22
EPA Issues Compliance Orders to Six Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations in Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska
EPA Region 7 announced today that it has issued administrative compliance orders to six concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska, directing those operations to correct a range of violations of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA). Region 7’s latest round of CAFO enforcement activity, aimed at encouraging producers’ compliance with the CWA and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program, involves five beef feedlots, including three in Nebraska, one in Kansas, and one in Iowa; and an egg layer operation in Nebraska.

August 17
EPA’s Reevaluation of Pyrethrins, Pyrethroids and Synergists
EPA is reevaluating all pyrethrins, pyrethroids and synergists during registration review starting in fiscal year (FY) 2010 through FY 2012. Because many of the pyrethroids were registered after November 1984, they were not subject to re-evaluation under the reregistration program. Since they may be used as alternatives for one another, it makes sense to assess and manage the risks of pyrethrins, pyrethroids and synergists within a similar time frame.

August 12
New Standard Evaluation Procedures Provide Guidance for Review of EDSP Tier 1 Assays
EPA has developed and is issuing a set of Standard Evaluation Procedures (SEPs) providing guidance for the review and evaluation of environmental and human health effects data submitted in response to requests for data for the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) Tier 1 battery of screening assays. Individual SEPs will be available for each of the 11 Tier 1 assays in the EDSP Test Guideline Series 890.

August 10
EPA Requests Public Comment on Petitioners' Request for Guidance and Analysis of Initial Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) Studies
EPA is seeking public comment on a June 2011 petition from CropLife America, Consumer Specialty Products Association, and Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment. The petition includes several points related to the guidance, criteria, review, and decision-making for the test orders (i.e., requests for data from pesticide registrants) issued under the EDSP. Comments must be received on or before October 11, 2011.

EPA Denies Request To Revoke Tolerances for 13 Pesticides Used in Foreign Countries
EPA published a notice of its denial of a July 23, 2009 petition from the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) requesting that the Agency revoke over three dozen tolerances for 13 pesticide active ingredients (cadusafos, cyproconazole, diazinon, dithianon, diquat, dimethoate, fenamiphos, mevinphos, methomyl, naled, phorate, terbufos, and dichlorvos) for which there is no corresponding use registered in the United States. ABC argued that EPA should revoke the tolerances, using its authority under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to be in compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Executive Order 13186. EPA denied the petition primarily because the FFDCA does not provide the legal authority to address the protection of migratory or endangered birds.

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

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August 8
EPA and USDA Create a Partnership To Improve Drinking Water Systems and Develop Workforce in Rural Communities
EPA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a national partnership to protect Americans’ health by improving rural drinking water and wastewater systems. Nationwide, small water and sewage treatment facilities with limited funding and resources face challenges due to rising costs and aging equipment and pipes. Under this agreement, EPA and USDA will work together to promote jobs by targeting specific audiences, providing training for new water careers and coordinating outreach efforts that will bring greater public visibility to the workforce needs of the industry, and develop a new generation of trained water professionals. EPA and USDA will also facilitate the exchange of successful recruitment and training strategies among stakeholders including states and water industries.

August 5
National Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center August Newsletter and Webcast Exit EPA
The August edition of the National Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center (LPELC) newsletter is now available. Topics include: Looking Forward to the September Webcast - Highlighted Findings from NAEMS; Manure Expo archive; Mortality Composting Video (Spanish); Spotlight on Carbon & Rangeland, Feedlot Effluent Pumping, E. coli Tracking, and Cattle Hoop Barns; Composting Demo, Manure Science Review, Vermicomposting, Mortality Management; and Manure and Animal Ag in the News.  The next webcast will be held on September 16, 2011.  There will be no August webcast.

August 4
EPA Announces Regional Agricultural IPM Grants
EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), in coordination with the EPA Regional Offices, announces the availability of approximately $500,000 for assistance agreements to further, through research, development, monitoring, public education, training, demonstrations, or studies, the adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches to reduce pesticide risk in production agriculture settings in the United States. IPM is a sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health, and environmental risks. Applications must be submitted through either Grants.gov or via express delivery. The closing date for applications is Monday, September 19, 2011.

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