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News Archive: December 2002

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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 Also, please be aware that the information in any particular article may be outdated or superseded by additional information.

December 30
 Comments Requested on Proposed Chemical Selection Approach for Endocrine Disruptor Screening
This notice sets forth for public comment the approach EPA plans to use for selecting the first group of chemicals to be screened in the Agency's Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP). Comments, identified by docket ID number OPPT-2002-0066, must be received on or before March 1, 200

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

December 26
Information available on the New Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) Rule
 EPA's Office of Water has developed brochures on the CAFO final rule that was signed on December 15, 2002.

EPA and Army Corps of Engineers Release National Wetlands Mitigation Action Plan
EPA and the Corps of Engineers announce the release of a comprehensive, interagency National Wetlands Mitigation Action Plan, as well as an improved Wetlands Mitigation Regulatory Guidance Letter, to further achievement of the goal of no net loss of wetlands. The National Wetlands Mitigation Action Plan lists 17 action items that the agencies will undertake to improve the effectiveness of restoring wetlands that are impacted or lost to activities governed by clean water laws.

December 20
 EPA Seeks Comments on Proposal To Withdraw Total Maximum Daily Load Rule
EPA is proposing to withdraw the July 2000 final rule that revised EPA's Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program under the Clean Water Act. The 2000 rule was determined to be unworkable based on reasons described by thousands of comments and was challenged in court by some two dozen parties. Written comments on this proposed rule should be submitted by January 27, 2003.

Draft Storm Water Construction General Permit and Draft General Permit Fact sheet Available for Public Comment
EPA has developed a new construction general permit which will regulate both large and small, Phase I and Phase II, construction activities. The draft general permit is open for comment until February 3, 2003.

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December 19
Awards Given for Pesticide Environmental Stewardship
EPA's Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP) has selected 18 members of the program as "PESP Champions" of 2002. PESP is a voluntary program that forms partnerships with pesticide users to reduce health and environmental risks associated with pesticide use and to implement pollution prevention strategies. Champions were selected for their outstanding efforts to promote integrated pest management (IPM) and advance pollution prevention.

Naled Interim Risk Management Decision Document Available
EPA has released the interim risk management decision (IRED) document for the organophosphate pesticide naled.  Provided that risk mitigation measures are adopted, naled's individual, aggregate risks are within acceptable levels. Naled is used mainly to control mosquitos and to control insects on a variety of agricultural crops. Its residues in food and drinking water do not pose risk concerns. Naled may no longer be used in and around the home by residents or professional applicators. However, residents can be exposed as bystanders from wide-area mosquito control applications.

December 18
Tetrachlorvinphos Interim Risk Management Decision Document Available
EPA has released the interim risk management decision document (IRED) for the organophosphate pesticide tetrachlorvinphos.  Tetrachlorvinphos is currently applied dermally to livestock to control flies and mites; used as a feed-through (oral) larvicide in cattle, hogs, goats, and horses; in cattle ear tags to control flies; and in poultry production to control beetles, flies, and mites. Tetrachlorvinphos also is used as a dust/powder, aerosol, and pump spray on pets and in pet sleeping areas, and in collars and shampoos for direct treatment of pets. It is used as a spray to control nuisance and public health pests (flies) in and around refuse sites, recreational areas, and for general outdoor treatment.

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

December 16
 EPA and Agriculture Working Together To Improve America’s Waters
In a news conference, EPA Administrator Christie Whitman, joined by Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, announced a final rule that will require all large Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) to obtain permits that will ensure they protect America’s waters from wastewater and manure. Currently about 4,500 operations are covered by permits. Because of the new rule, EPA expects that up to 11,000 additional facilities will be required to apply for permits by 2006.

Potential Suspension of Deadlines in Final SPCC Rule
On July 17, 2002, EPA issued a final rule amending the Oil Pollution Prevention regulation that addresses requirements for Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plans.  On November 26, EPA sent a letter to numerous stakeholders who have raised concerns with the deadlines in the final SPCC rule. The letter states that EPA is working on a proposed rule that would temporarily suspend both the February 17, 2003, deadline for facilities to amend SPCC plans to conform with recent rule amendments, and the August 18, 2003, deadline for implementing such amendments. 

December 13
EPA Settles With Two Biotech Seed Production Companies
EPA announced that it has settled cases with two midwest companies over the alleged mishandling of genetically modified corn grown for seed under strict field testing conditions in  Hawaii.  The action simultaneously issues and settles the complaints with Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. (a subsidiary of DuPont) of Johnston, Iowa, and Dow AgroSciences of Indianapolis, Indiana. The complaints allege failure to comply with the conditions of EPA's Experimental Use Permits for growing genetically modified corn seed.

EPA Revises Two Toxicity Test Guidelines to Include Alternative Test Methods
EPA’s Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances (OPPTS) is announcing the revision of two OPPTS test guidelines for toxicity testing. The revised guidelines, for acute oral toxicity and skin sensitization testing, incorporate alternative test methods that enhance animal welfare while providing essential data needed to ensure protection of human health. Such guidelines had previously been developed internationally through the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

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December 12
 National Management Measures To Control Nonpoint Source Pollution from Agriculture
EPA has released National Management Measures To Control Nonpoint Source Pollution from Agriculture, a final draft technical guidance and reference document for use by state, local, and tribal managers in the implementation of nonpoint source pollution management programs. It contains information on the best available economically achievable means of reducing pollution of surface and ground water from agriculture.

December 11
Ethoprop Interim Reregistration Eligibility Decision Document Issued
This notice announces availability of the Interim Reregistration Eligibility Decision (IRED) document for the pesticide active ingredient ethoprop. The IRED represents EPA's formal regulatory assessment of the health and environmental database of ethoprop and presents the Agency's interim determination regarding which pesticidal uses are eligible for reregistration.

December 9
 EPA Announces Renewed Commitment to Watershed Management
EPA has issued a new policy memo on the subject of  "Committing EPA’s Water Program to Advancing the Watershed Approach." The memo calls for the creation of a Watershed Management Council made up of EPA headquarters and regional Senior Executive Service managers. The council will implement a number of specific actions listed in the memo and explore ways to encourage widespread adoption of watershed approaches to better address water quality problems.

EPA Cancels Certain Diazinon Uses
This notice announces termination of all indoor uses, certain agricultural uses, and certain outdoor non-agricultural uses of the pesticide diazinon, as requested by registrants. Agricultural uses canceled by this action include alfalfa, bananas, bermuda grass, dried beans, dried peas, celery, red chicory (radicchio), citrus, clover, coffee, cotton, cowpeas, cucumbers, dandelions, forestry (ground squirrel / rodent burrow dust stations for public health use), kiwi, lespedeza, parsley, parsnips, pastures, peppers, potatoes (Irish and sweet), sheep, sorghum, squash (winter and summer), rangeland, Swiss chard, tobacco, and turnips (roots and tops). The cancellations are effective December 9, 2002.

December 4
 EPA Seeks Comments on Proposed Implementation of Pesticide-Related Endangered Species Protection Program
EPA has proposed and is seeking public comment on a field implementation plan for its Endangered Species Protection Program. The proposal, published in the Federal Register on December 2, describes how the Agency will ensure that appropriate protection measures are implemented for federally listed endangered and threatened species, in compliance with both section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act and with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. Comments, identified by docket ID number OPP-2002-0311, must be received on or before March 3, 2003.

Fenarimol Tolerance Reassessment Available for Comment
This notice announces the availability of EPA's tolerance reassessment decision and related documents for fenarimol, including the fenarimol overview, fenarimol summary, fenarimol decision document (TRED), and supporting risk assessment documents. EPA has reassessed the 42 tolerances for residues of fenarimol in or on raw agricultural commodities. Comments must be received by EPA on or before January 3, 2003.

December 2
Extension of Comment Period for Effluent Limitations Guidelines and New Source Performance Standards for the Concentrated Aquatic Animal Production Point Source Category
EPA proposed effluent limitations guidelines and standards for the Concentrated Aquatic Animals Production (CAAP) Category on September 12, 2002. The proposed regulations would apply to discharges from certain CAAP facilities that grow, contain, or produce at least 100,000 pounds of aquatic animals per year. EPA is extending the comment period by approximately 6 weeks. The comment period will now close on January 27, 2003.

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

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