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News Archive: June 2004

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 Also, please be aware that the information in any particular article may be outdated or superseded by additional information.

June 30
EPA Reopens Public Comment Period on Proposed Regulation for Pesticide Containers and Containment
EPA has reopened the public comment period on its proposed regulation establishing standards for pesticide containers and containment. Comments must be submitted to EPA under docket ID number OPP-2004-0049 by August 16, 2004.

The original proposed rule was published on February 11, 1994, and a supplemental notice was published on October 21, 1999. Because significant time has passed since the publication of the proposed regulation, EPA is reopening the comment period to obtain public input on any issues or technology relating to the proposed requirements that would not have been available or could not have been addressed in the earlier comment periods.

Draft Final Rule on WPS Glove Requirements Is Sent to USDA
The Administrator of EPA has forwarded to the Secretary of Agriculture a draft final rule that would create greater flexibility in requirements of the 1992 Worker Protection Standard related to the use of gloves by workers and applicators. The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) requires the Administrator to provide the Secretary of Agriculture with a copy of any final regulation at least 30 days before signing it for publication in the Federal Register. The draft final rule is not available to the public until after it has been signed by EPA.

Comments Invited on Tolerance Reassessment and Reregistration Documents for Oryzalin
EPA has reassessed existing tolerances for the herbicide oryzalin and has completed a reregistration eligibility decision for oryzalin use on turf.  The Agency has opened a 30-day public comment period for the Tolerance Reassessment and Risk Management Decision (TRED) for oryzalin. Comments, identified by docket ID number OPP-2004-0143, must be received on or before July 30, 2004.

June 29
EPA, States Working To Protect Public Health Through Fine Particle Standard
EPA has issued letters to states and tribes to inform them of the status of counties under the more protective national air quality standard for fine particles (PM2.5). Twenty-eight states were informed that they are currently in attainment with the new standard. States with areas designated as nonattainment either do not meet the new standard or they contribute to pollution in a nearby area that does not meet the standards. EPA will issue final designations of counties' attainment or nonattainment of the PM2.5 standard in November 2004.

Comment Period Opens on Preliminary Risk Assessment for Zinc Pyrithione (Omadine Salts)
EPA's preliminary risk assessment and related documents for the antimicrobial pesticide zinc pyrithione (also referred to as zinc omadine) are available for public comment. The Agency has changed the reregistration case name for this chemical from "omadine salts'' to "zinc pyrithione'' to accurately reflect the sole active ingredient in this case. EPA is developing a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for zinc pyrithione using a modified four-phase public participation process. Comments, identified by docket ID number OPP-2004-0147, must be received on or before August 30, 2004.

EPA Releases New Version of EnviroMapper
EPA’s Office of Water has released a new version of EnviroMapper for Water -- a Web-based mapping connection to a wealth of water data. It can be used to view and map data, such as the uses assigned to local waters, waters that are impaired and do not support their assigned uses, the reasons why waters are impaired, water quality monitoring information, and the location of dischargers. Maps can be viewed at the national, regional, state, or local levels. This latest release of EnviroMapper for Water (Version 3.0) features several new layers of water data including EPA’s national water quality database STORET, National Estuary Program study areas, and the location of nonpoint source projects.

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June 25
Amitraz Risk Assessments Available for Comment
Human health and environmental fate and effects risk assessments and related documents for the pesticide amitraz are available for public comment. These documents have been developed as part of the Agency's interim public participation process for tolerance reassessment and reregistration. Comments, identified by the docket ID number OPP-2004-0048, must be received on or before August 24, 2004.

EPA Convenes Reunion of National Wetlands Policy Forum
On June 25, 2004, EPA reconvened participants and organizations who were involved in the National Wetlands Policy Forum from 1987-1989. The group discussed the state of the nation’s wetlands and programs to protect them. Many of the participants represented the same organizations that participated in the National Wetlands Policy Forum in the late 1980’s. That Forum published a report 15 years ago with more than 100 recommendations that included the national goal of  “no overall net loss of wetlands.”

Participants in the symposium identified a number of areas that warrant additional attention, including: better information on wetland losses, gains and condition; improving regulatory programs to avoid wetland losses and provide quick approval for environmentally sound projects; and developing more opportunities for states, tribes, and private landowners to protect and restore wetlands. Wetland losses in the U.S. have declined from a net annual figure of nearly 460,000 acres per year through the mid-1970’s to less than 60,000 acres per year today.

June 24
United States and Mexico Tackle Cross-Boundary Air and Water Issues
EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt and Secretary of Mexico's Federal Agency of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) Alberto Cardenas Jimenez today announced binational efforts to improve air and water quality along the U.S. - Mexico border. As part of the Border 2012 Program, the United States and Mexico signed a binational air monitoring agreement and EPA committed up to $13 million (USD) toward the cleanup of a wastewater treatment plant in Mexicali, Mexico.

Association Releases Historical Reference on Nation’s Clean Water Programs
The Association of State and Interstate Water Pollution Control Administrators (ASIWPCA) has released a never-before-published historical reference on the Clean Water Act and state/interstate efforts to control water pollution. Entitled "Clean Water Act Thirty-Year Retrospective: History and Documents Related to the Federal Statute," this publication is an unprecedented collection of history and historical documents that are of use for those with an interest in the nation’s clean water programs. Among the documents included in the retrospective are Presidential veto statements; House and Senate debates on overriding vetoes; state/interstate recommendations for improving national clean water programs from past and current decades; and state/interstate evaluations of progress in water programs. Among other items in the retrospective are:

-- Origins of the Clean Water Act -- text of original Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1948
-- Text of Clean Water Act (Federal Water Pollution Control Act) as amended through 2002
-- Historical funding levels for wastewater infrastructure programs (construction grants and clean water state revolving loan fund) for state/interstate water quality management programs under Section 106 and for state nonpoint source management programs under Section 319.

FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel To Review Dimethoate
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel (FIFRA SAP) will meet July 29-30 in Arlington, Virginia, to consider and review a hazard and dose-response assessment for dimethoate. EPA has established an official public docket for this action under docket ID number OPP-2004-0173. The Agency encourages that written comments be submitted, using the instructions in Unit I, no later than noon, eastern time, July 15, 2004.

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

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June 23
2,4-D Risk Assessments Available for Comment
The public can now access and comment on the preliminary human health and ecological risk assessments and related documents for the pesticide 2,4-D. The broad-spectrum herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D acid) is registered for the control of broadleaf weeds in numerous agricultural, forestry, aquatic, and turf applications. The Agency is particularly interested in obtaining additional information from the public regarding the aquatic use of this chemical. Comments, identified by the docket identification (ID) number OPP-2004-0167, must be received on or before August 23, 2004.

The Agency is particularly interested in obtaining additional information from the public regarding the aquatic use of this chemical, including:

MCPA Risk Assessments Available for Comment
EPA announces the availability of human health and environmental fate and effects risk assessments and related documents for the pesticide 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy acetic acid (MCPA). A phenoxy herbicide, MCPA is typically used in formulation with other phenoxy class chemicals, such as 2,4-D, 2,4-DB, MCPP-p, and MCPB.  MCPA is used post-emergence for selective control of broadleaf weeds on several food and feed crops. It is also used on grass grown for seed, turf, lawns, vines, rights-of-way, and in forestry. Comments, identified by the docket ID number OPP-2004-0156, must be received on or before August 23, 2004.

June 18
Pesticide Safety Campaign Launches on Hispanic Radio Network
A new Spanish language educational public service announcement will be launched Monday, June 21, on the Hispanic Radio Network (HRN) to highlight steps individuals may take to protect themselves from exposure to pesticides at home and at work. EPA has sought to develop useful information in both English and Spanish as part of a broader effort to promote awareness of safe use and handling of pesticides. HRN's campaign will help Spanish-speaking people understand how to safely use pesticides.

EPA Releases Guidance on Uses of Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA)
EPA has released the “Supplemental Guidance on Interpretation of Revised Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) Wood Preservative Label.” This document provides clarifications on the allowed and disallowed uses of CCA. It also provides a reference table with the American Wood Preservers Association Commodity Standards related to CCA, with examples of some of the uses that are permitted and disallowed since the December 31, 2003, voluntary cancellation date.

This action is taken to provide stakeholders, regions, consumers, public interest groups, wood treaters, and registrants with a reference tool that supplements the product labeling to better identify the specific uses of CCA-treated lumber that are permitted or disallowed. It also references enforcement and compliance strategies drafted by the Office of Enforcement and Compliance so that all affected parties will be aware of the Agency’s position regarding compliance monitoring, targeting inspections, and reporting tips and complaints.

June 17
EPA Proposes To Extend Deadlines Under Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures (SPCC) Rule
EPA is proposing to extend, by 12 months, certain upcoming compliance dates for the July 2002 SPCC amendments. This extension follows a previous 18-month extension announced on April 17, 2003. In light of a recent partial settlement of litigation involving the July 2002 amendments, EPA is proposing the extension to, among other reasons, provide sufficient time for the regulated community to undertake the actions necessary to prepare and update their plans. The proposed extension is also intended to alleviate the need for individual extension requests. The new proposed compliance dates are August 17, 2005, to amend an existing SPCC plan, and February 18, 2006, to implement the plan. Affected facilities that start operations between August 16, 2002, and February 18, 2006, must prepare and implement an SPCC plan by February 18, 2006. Affected facilities that become operational after February 18, 2006, must prepare and implement an SPCC plan before starting operations. Written comments on this proposed rule must be received by July 7, 2004.

June 16
New Report Profiles Environmental Performance in 12 Major Sectors
A new EPA report establishes a performance benchmark for tracking future environmental progress in 12 key industrial and service sectors, including agribusiness and forest products. The 2004 Sector Strategies Performance Report provides a snapshot of environmental trend data for each group. Drawing from publicly available data sources, the report presents a demographic profile of each sector, plus performance information in such fields as energy conservation, water and air quality, and waste management.

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

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June 14
New Web Page Lists Plant-Incorporated Protectant Experimental Use Permits
EPA has developed a new Web page that provides a consolidated list of active, plant-incorporated protectant (PIP) experimental use permits (EUPs). The listing provides states and EPA regions with a quick resource on which states are listed in federally approved PIP EUPs. The new Web page is also intended to provide public interest groups and interested citizens with easier access to information on approved PIP EUPs.

June 10
EPA Orders "Stop Sale" of Product That Claims To Neutralize Anthrax
The owner of 1st EnviroSafety Inc. of St. James, Florida, was ordered by EPA on May 26 to stop Web site sales of unregistered pesticide products, including one that claims to neutralize the effects of anthrax bacteria. Other products claimed to eliminate or remove bacteria, odor-causing bacteria, germs, mildew, fleas, mites and ticks. The stop sale order requires 1st EnviroSafety Inc. to remove all pesticide claims from its advertising and labeling and to notify EPA within 30 days of the steps they have taken to do so.

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

June 4
State FIFRA Issues Research and Evaluation Group (SFIREG) Sets June Meeting
The State Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Issues Research and Evaluation Group (SFIREG) will meet June 28-29, 2004, in Arlington, Virginia. Tentative agenda topics for the 2-day meeting are listed in the June 2 Federal Register notice.

June 3
Comments Requested on Renewal of Pesticide Data Call-In Procedures
EPA is seeking public comment on its Information Collection Request (ICR) relating to data call-ins for the Special Review and Registration Review programs. This is a request to renew an existing ICR that is currently approved and due to expire on August 31, 2004. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection activity and its expected burden and costs. Before submitting this ICR to the Office of Management and Budget for review and approval, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the collection. Written comments, identified by the docket ID number OPP-2004-0111, must be received on or before August 2, 2004.

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

June 2
Comments Invited on Interim Risk Management Decision Documents for Methyl Parathion
This notice announces availability of the interim Reregistration Eligibility Decision (IRED) document for the pesticide active ingredient methyl parathion, and starts a 60-day public comment period. The IRED document represents EPA's formal regulatory assessment of the health and environmental database of methyl parathion and presents the Agency's determination regarding which pesticidal uses are eligible for reregistration. Comments, identified by docket ID number OPP-2003-0237, must be received on or before August 2, 2004.

EPA Invites Comments on Risk Assessments for Metam-Sodium
This notice announces the availability of EPA's preliminary human health and environmental fate and effects risk assessments and related documents for metam-sodium. The assessments have been developed as part of EPA's process for making pesticide reregistration eligibility decisions. This notice also starts a 60-day public comment period for the risk assessments. Comments, identified by the docket ID number OPP-2004-0159, must be received on or before August 2, 2004.


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