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News Archive: May 2005

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 Also, please be aware that the information in any particular article may be outdated or superseded by additional information.

May 27
FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel Cancels June 14-15 Public Meeting
The June 14-15, 2005, Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel (FIFRA SAP) meeting has been cancelled. The meeting was to consider and review issues related to the carbamate dietary exposure assessment incorporating cholinesterase recovery into CARES-compatible modules.

May 26
EPA Opens Comment Period for Chloroneb Risk Assessment
EPA has released risk assessments and related documents for the fungicide chloroneb, and has opened a public comment period on these documents. The public is also encouraged to suggest risk management ideas or proposals to address the risks identified. EPA is developing a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for chloroneb through a modified, four-phase public participation process. Comments, identified by docket ID number OPP- 2004-0369, must be received on or before July 25, 2005.

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

May 24
Compliance Assistance Centers Seek Feedback
Compliance Assistance Centers, created through EPA sponsored partnerships with industry, academic institutions, environmental groups, and other agencies, help businesses, local governments, and federal agencies understand federal environmental requirements and save money through pollution prevention techniques. Through Web sites, telephone assistance lines, fax-back systems, and e-mail discussion groups, the centers help address real-world issues. Once a year, the centers survey their users and first-time visitors on how well they are meeting their goals. The results of the surveys help the centers provide resources for environmental compliance.

May 23
Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Process for Exempting Critical Uses of Methyl Bromide
EPA is soliciting applications for the Critical Use Exemption from the phaseout of methyl bromide for 2007 and beyond. This application process offers users of methyl bromide the opportunity to provide technical and economic information to support a "critical use" claim. The notice also invites interested parties to provide information on the technical and economic feasibility of methyl bromide alternatives. Applications for the Critical Use Exemption must be postmarked on or before August 8, 2005.

May 18
All States To Share in Water Quality Monitoring Funds
Every state will get additional water quality monitoring funds as a result of an EPA decision to target a $9.92 million increase in fiscal year 2005 water pollution control grants for these activities. Each year, EPA awards funds to help states (including territories and the District of Columbia), Indian tribes, and interstate agencies establish and implement water pollution control programs. The funds are awarded under Section 106 of the Clean Water Act. EPA will award each state an additional $172,000 in funding, while each territory and the District of Columbia will receive $86,000. EPA Regions will distribute grant funds after reaching agreement with individual states on program priorities and commitments.

National Water Program Guidance Available on Web
The National Water Program Guidance for FY 2006 is now available on the Office of Water Web site. The guidance describes strategies for accomplishing the key environmental and public health goals in the EPA Strategic Plan. The executive summary of the guidance describes top priorities for FY 2006. Included in the guidance are measures of program activities that support each of ten key environmental goals. EPA regional offices will be working with states and tribes to develop commitments under these measures over the next several months using general targets in the guidance.

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

May 17
Reminder -- July 1 Is Deadline for Signing AFO Air Quality Agreement
The deadline for certain animal feeding operations (AFOs) to sign EPA's air quality compliance agreement was extended until July 1, 2005. The reopened public comment period ended on May 2, 2005. The air compliance agreement is part of the Agency's ongoing effort to minimize air emissions from such operations and to ensure compliance with the Clean Air Act and other laws. It is a voluntary settlement agreement between EPA and participating farmers. There is no obligation to participate. It is not a rule, and does not impose any new regulatory requirements on a participating farm. Rather, under the agreement, EPA is extending an opportunity to farmers to participate in a national farm air emissions study. During the study, EPA will agree not to sue any participant for violations of several environmental laws. For their part, participants will pay a small civil penalty and contribute funds to the air emissions study.

May 16
Comment Period Reopens on Modifying or Revoking Tolerances for Alachlor, Chlorothalonil, Methomyl, Metribuzin, Thiodicarb
In the Federal Register on March 9, 2005, EPA requested public comment on a December 17, 2004, petition from New York, California, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, requesting that the Agency modify or revoke all tolerances for the pesticides alachlor, chlorothalonil, methomyl, metribuzin, and thiodicarb. The petitioners requested this action to obtain what they believe would be proper application of the additional 10-fold safety factor for the protection of infants and children as provided by the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). The Agency received two requests to extend the comment period. EPA is hereby reopening the comment period, which ended on May 9, 2005. The new deadline for comments, identified by docket ID number OPP-2005-0050, is June 15, 2005.

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May 11
2003 Toxics Release Inventory Shows Continued Decline in Chemical Releases
EPA's 2003 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) shows that the amount of toxic chemicals released into the environment by reporting facilities continues to decline, with total reductions of 42 percent since 1998 and a six percent decrease from 2002 to 2003. More than 23,000 facilities reported on approximately 650 chemicals for calendar year 2003. TRI reporting includes toxics managed in landfills and underground injection wells as well as those released into water and the air.

EPA Invites Comments on Endothall Risk Assessments, Preliminary Risk Reduction Options
EPA has released risk assessments and related documents for the dicarboxylic acid herbicide endothall, and has opened a public comment period on these documents. The public also is encouraged to suggest risk management ideas or proposals to address the risks identified. EPA is developing a Reregistration Eligibility Decision for endothall through a modified, four-phase public participation process. Comments, identified by docket ID number OPP- 2004-0370, must be received on or before July 11, 2005.

EPA Opens Comment Period on Thidiazuron Risk Assessments
EPA has released risk assessments and related documents for the pesticide thidiazuron, and has opened a public comment period on these documents. The public also is encouraged to suggest risk management ideas or proposals to address the risks identified. EPA is developing a Reregistration Eligibility Decision for thidiazuron through a modified, four-phase public participation process. Comments, identified by docket ID number OPP- 2004-0382, must be received on or before July 11, 2005.

May 9
National Management Measures To Control Nonpoint Source Pollution from Forestry
EPA has released a guidance document to help forest owners protect lakes and streams from polluted runoff that can result from forestry activities. This is the final version of the guidance that was published for comment in 2001. These scientifically sound techniques are the best practices known today. The report will also help states implement nonpoint source control programs. The guidance is national in scope, so it does not address local or regional soils, climates, or forest types.

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

May 2
Mississippi River Basin Nutrients Science Workshop
EPA's Office of Water is hosting a 3-day workshop on October 4-6, 2005, in St. Louis, Missouri, to assess the state of the science regarding the fate and effect of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) in large rivers in the Mississippi River Basin (including the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio Rivers as well as other major tributaries). This workshop will review the available science from government, academia, industry, and environmental organizations and will seek to identify the best and most expedient approach(es) to develop nutrient water quality standards to protect the Mississippi River Basin and the Gulf of Mexico. Potential presenters are invited to submit abstracts by July 1, 2005.

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