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News Archive: May 2002

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 Also, please be aware that the information in any particular article may be outdated or superseded by additional information.

May 31
Workshops on Methyl Bromide Critical Use Exemption
EPA plans a series of information exchange workshops to clarify the types of information and level of detail necessary to complete a robust application for a critical use exemption for methyl bromide. There will be separate half-day workshops for grower groups, individual users, and consortia. The workshops are tentatively scheduled to take place in Washington, DC, on June 10-14, 2002; Orlando, FL, on June 24-28; and Sacramento, CA, on July 8-12.  For more information or to register, contact Lelia Kaplus at lkaplus@icfconsulting.com or call (202) 862-1586. Indicate which workshop you want to attend and what commodity or end use of methyl bromide you represent.

EPA Fines Applicator $23,100 for Pesticide Misuse
EPA announced the settlement of an administrative enforcement action against a man from Hiland Park, Florida, for placing aldicarb, a pesticide, on deer carcasses for the purpose of baiting and killing coyotes. No aldicarb labels bear directions for use for predator control. There has been an increase in the misuse of pesticides to control predatory and nuisance animals. Such placement of aldicarb and other highly toxic pesticides in the environment poses a grave danger to both humans and animals, including those protected by the Endangered Species Act, who may come into contact with the material.

May 29
Summary: Eighth Meeting of Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force
The summary of the eighth meeting of the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force is now available.

Office of Compliance Invites Proposals for Assistance Agreements
The Office of Compliance, within EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, is soliciting proposals for assistance agreements with states and tribes, in the range of $50,000-$200,000, for proposals in three focus areas: Tribal and State Inspector Training; Program Planning and Performance Measurement; and Data Management. Eligible applicants include states, tribes, inter-tribal consortia, territories, and multi-jurisdictional organizations. Two- to five-page pre-proposals must be received electronically or by hard copy by July 5, 2002. 

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

May 24
Tolerance Exemptions for Minimal-Risk Active and Inert Ingredients
EPA is adding a new section which lists the pesticide chemicals that are exempted from the requirement of a tolerance based on the Agency's determination that these chemicals are of "minimal risk." The pesticide chemicals listed in the new section include both active and inert ingredients.

Tolerance Exemptions for Polymers
EPA is taking direct final rule action to add a new section which lists the pesticide chemicals that are exempt from the requirement of a tolerance because they meet the criteria established by the Agency to identify certain polymers that are of low risk. This section contains those polymers whose tolerance exemptions were established post-Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996.

May 23
EPA Reassesses 275 OP Tolerances; Requests Comment on Identifying Other Non-Contributors
EPA has published the Federal Register notice related to its earlier announcement of the reassessment of 275 organophosphate pesticides that do not contribute to risk (see May 10, below). The agency is requesting public comment until June 21, identified by docket number OPP-2002-0060, on its approach to identifying other non-contributors. 

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

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May 20
Fact Sheet on Status of Proposed TMDL/Watershed Rule
EPA extended the effective date for this regulation from July 2000 until April 30, 2003, so it could reconsider some of the choices made in the rule. This fact sheet outlines the goals for the rule and explains the process involved in drafting a new proposal, which should be available for public review this summer.

May 16
EPA Promotes Environmental Management Systems
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christie Whitman today issued the Agency's Position Statement on Environmental Management Systems (EMS). The statement promotes broader use of the systems, which are effective management tools to help companies and other organizations fulfill their environmental responsibilities. The use of EMS complements needed regulatory controls and enables a facility to comprehensively manage the environmental footprint of its entire operation.

May 10
Compliance Assistance Centers Help Regulated Community Understand Regulations
EPA's 10 national Compliance Assistance Centers have proven to be highly beneficial to the regulated community. Use of the centers increased by 23 percent last year, with over 501,000 visits in 2001. Respondents to a recent survey indicated that more than 90 percent agreed or strongly agreed that the centers help them understand environmental regulations.

Organophosphate Pesticides: Reassessment of Certain Non-Contributing Tolerances
As part of its ongoing review of existing organophosphate (OP) tolerances under the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA), EPA has determined that 275 "non-contributor" OP tolerances meet the FQPA safety standard in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act  and can be reassessed.  EPA has concluded that these tolerances make, at most, a negligible contribution to the cumulative risk from OP pesticides.

May 6
Atrazine: EPA Releases Revised Risk Assessments and Seeks Comments
EPA announces the availability of the revised risk assessments and related documents for the triazine pesticide, atrazine. In addition, EPA provides a 60-day public participation period during which the public is encouraged to submit comments on risk management ideas or proposals for atrazine. Comments, identified by docket control number OPP-34237C, must be received by EPA on or before July 5, 2002.

EPA Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Consent Decree Regarding Endangered Species
EPA is seeking public comment on a proposed consent decree that would resolve a lawsuit brought against the Agency by the Californians for Alternatives to Toxics, the Environmental Protection Information Center, and the Humboldt Watershed Council. The consent decree would establish a series of deadlines for the Agency to begin consulting with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service about the potential effects of a number of pesticides on certain endangered or threatened plant and salmonid species located primarily in California. Comments are due by May 29, 2002.

May 3
EPA Schedules Listening Sessions on Watershed Initiative
EPA has scheduled four listening sessions to discuss its Watershed Initiative, which was announced on January 25, 2002, to help protect, preserve, and restore waterways across the country. State governors, tribes, and other interested parties are invited to the listening sessions to help EPA design this initiative. All sessions will be held in Washington, DC, at EPA East, 1201 Constitution Ave., NW, Room 1117A. Dates are: May 14 (8:30 - 11:30), May 15 (8:30 - 11:30), May 22 (1:00 - 4:00), and May 29 (8:30 - 11:30).

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