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News Archive: April 2003

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 Also, please be aware that the information in any particular article may be outdated or superseded by additional information.

April 29
Joint Nutrient and Biological Criteria Development: Request for Proposals
EPA seeks to award financial assistance to states, tribal governments, universities, and other eligible agencies to support eutrophication research within various ecoregions and waterbodies nationwide, and to support the development and implementation of biological assessments and criteria. The focus of this research is on better understanding of the complex relationships among nutrient loading and physical and biological responses of water bodies.

April 24
EPA Seeks Comments on Pesticide Emergency Exemptions Pilot Program
EPA is beginning a pilot process to determine a more efficient and targeted review of a limited number of pesticide emergency exemption applications that meet certain criteria, starting with the 2003 growing season. The Agency is seeking public comment on this pilot program. Comments must be received on or before June 23, 2003.

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

April 23
Comment Period Reopened on Preliminary Comparative Ecological Assessment of Rodenticides
In a Federal Register notice on January 29, 2003, EPA opened a public comment period on the Preliminary Comparative Ecological Assessment document for nine rodenticides. The rodenticides included those addressed in the Reregistration Eligibility Decisions for the rodenticide cluster (brodifacoum, bromadiolone, bromethalin, chlorophacinone, diphacinone, and zinc phosphide), as well as three other rodenticides -- warfarin, difethialone, and cholecalciferol. The comment period has been reopened for 60 days, from March 31, 2003, to May 30, 2003.

April 18
 EPA Requests Grant Proposals To Retrofit Diesel Vehicles
EPA is looking to partner with state, local, and tribal organizations to reduce emissions from diesel-powered vehicles. Through this partnership, grants totaling $500,000 will be awarded to transportation fleets such as public and private school buses; waste haulers; private trucking fleets; locomotives; and construction and/or agricultural fleets that agree to retrofit existing diesel engines with improved or new technologies that have been verified to reduce diesel exhaust emissions under EPA's Voluntary Diesel Retrofit program. Applications must be submitted to U.S. EPA, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, no later than May 22.

EPA Releases Toxicological Review of Benzene
EPA has released the "Toxicological Review of Benzene -- Noncancer Effects," a report that describes the potential noncancer health hazards associated with environmental exposures to benzene. This document supplements two previously released human health assessments of benzene, and will be used to inform the Agency's future risk assessments and regulation of benzene sources. Benzene is an industrial solvent and a component of gasoline, and is also used in the manufacture of plastics, detergents, and pesticides.

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EPA and Greenbiz.com Announce "Best Environmental Practices" Database
EPA and Greenbiz.com announce a new environmental best practices database, "Greenbiz Leaders," featuring hundreds of examples of companies that have successfully combined environmental responsibility with economic profit. The more than 650 company examples selected for Greenbiz Leaders are winners of federal, state, and local environmental award and recognition programs. GreenBiz.com, a project of the National Environmental Education and Training Foundation, developed the searchable database through a grant from EPA's National Environmental Performance Track program.

April 17
EPA Seeks Comment on Proposal To Implement Exclusive Use and Compensation Rights for Data Submitters
EPA is making available for comment a proposal to implement exclusive use and compensation rights for data submitted to EPA in support of tolerance and tolerance exemption actions and discussing confidentiality of tolerance and tolerance exemption data. Because of the cost of generating requested data, the issue of data compensation and exclusive rights is important to some stakeholders. Comments, identified by docket ID number OPP-2002-0296, must be received on or before July 16, 2003.

Extension for Amendments and Implementation of Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plans
EPA is extending, by eighteen months from the dates promulgated in the July 2002 Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) amendments, the dates for a facility to amend its SPCC Plan and implement the amended Plan (or, in the case of facilities becoming operational after August 16, 2002, prepare and implement a Plan that complies with the newly amended requirements). Facilities now will have until Aug. 17, 2004, to amend their SPCC plans to conform with revisions to the SPCC regulations that became effective last summer and until Feb. 17, 2005, to implement those amendments.

Comment Period Extended on Cancer Risk Assessment Guideline Documents
EPA has extended the comment period for the Draft Final Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment and the draft Supplemental Guidance for Assessing Cancer Susceptibility from Early-Life Exposure to Carcinogens. The availability of these documents was originally announced in the Federal Register on March 3, 2003 (68 FR 10012). The comment period was scheduled to close on May 1, 2003. Now, EPA must receive comments by Monday, June 2, 2003.

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April 16
Import Tolerance Data Requirements Detailed in NAFTA Guidance
In an April 16, 2003, Federal Register notice, EPA issued for comment proposed detailed guidance on data requirements that meet North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) standards for establishing pesticide import tolerances (maximum residue levels allowed in foods) in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The guidance document does not change U.S. data requirements for obtaining import tolerances in this country. This common approach to the establishment of import tolerances is expected to promote trade between North America and the rest of the world and maintain North American high standards for food safety. Comments on the NAFTA import tolerance guidance document must be received by June 16, 2003.

Fenthion Voluntary Cancellation Requested
EPA has received a request from registrant Bayer Environmental Science for voluntary cancellation of their organophosphate pesticide fenthion, used primarily for adult mosquito control in two counties in Florida. The Agency soon will publish a Federal Register notice inviting public comment on the proposed cancellation of all uses of fenthion. Fenthion may be produced and sold in the United States until June 30, 2004, and may be used until November 30, 2004. Bayer will take back all unopened fenthion products returned to the company by December 31, 2004. These mitigation measures are expected to help reduce avian exposure during the phase-out period.

April 15
EPA Proposes Dramatic Reductions of Pollution from Nonroad Diesel Engines
EPA has announced a proposal to dramatically reduce emissions from nonroad diesel engines used in construction, agricultural, and industrial equipment. This comprehensive national program requires stringent nonroad engine controls and reductions of sulfur in diesel fuel — a program that will achieve enormous air quality improvements throughout the country. Written comments may be submitted until August 20, 2003. Public hearings will be held in New York on June 10, Chicago on June 12, and Los Angeles on June 17, 2003.

April 14
EPA Releases Voluntary Guidelines For Septic Systems; Invites Comments on Companion Handbook
EPA announced the release of new guidelines designed to help local governments strengthen their management of septic systems and other small, privately owned wastewater treatment systems. The public is also invited to review and comment on the companion Handbook for Management of Onsite and Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems. The public comment period closes on May 27, 2003.

April 10
EPA Announces Rule To Reduce Diesel Emissions on California Farms
EPA has issued a direct final rule that will give California farmers the option to replace existing stationary diesel-powered engines used in agricultural operations with cleaner engines certified to nonroad mobile source emission standards. This rule applies only to California operations, because California is the only state with both severe and extreme ozone nonattainment areas where agricultural engines have the potential to contribute emissions above major source thresholds.

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

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April 7
 EPA To Expand and Strengthen Sewage Sludge Research and Programs
EPA has announced a strategy for expanding and strengthening sewage sludge (biosolids) research and programs. Under the strategy, which responds to recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences' National Research Council, EPA will undertake the following activities: (1) update the science underlying the rule by conducting research in priority areas, (2) strengthen the sewage sludge program by incorporating results of research, both within and outside EPA, and (3) continue ongoing efforts to increase partnerships and communication with the public and other stakeholders.

April 4
 Assessment and Watershed Protection Program Grants
Initial proposals for FY 2003 Assessment and Watershed Protection Program Grants are due May 15, 2003. Priority will be given to funding projects that address two areas: (1) strengthening partnerships between EPA and groups promoting watershed protection and restoration, and (2) improving the guidance and technology to successfully develop and implement watershed plans and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). However, these grants can continue to be used by recipients to build and refine any element of a comprehensive watershed program. Interstate associations, intertribal consortia, and non-profit, non-governmental organizations are eligible to apply.

National Forum on Water Quality Trading
Spend two days this summer learning about market innovations to restore watersheds and meet water quality goals with greater efficiency. You'll learn the state of the art from practitioners and leaders in the agricultural community, state environmental agencies, municipal and industrial dischargers, and other watershed interests. Interactive sessions will answer your questions on water quality trading's potential benefits, implementation challenges and solutions, and what's next for this innovative approach. Sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Association of State and Interstate Water Pollution Control Administrators, and the Water Environment Federation, the forum will be held in Chicago on July 22-23, 2003.

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April 2
Carbaryl: Comments Invited on Revised Risk Assessments
EPA has announced the availability of revised risk assessments and related documents for the carbamate pesticide carbaryl. The public is encouraged to submit risk management ideas or proposals during a 60-day public participation period. Comments, identified by docket ID number OPP-2003-0101, must be received by EPA on or before June 2, 2003.

Diuron: Comments Invited on Risk Assessments and Tolerance Reassessment Decision
EPA has announced the availability of risk assessments and tolerance reassessment decision (TRED) documents for the pesticide diuron. Comments, identified by docket ID number OPP-2002-0249, must be received on or before June 2, 2003.

Tebuthiuron: Comments Invited on Tolerance Reassessment Decision
EPA has announced the availability of EPA's tolerance reassessment decision (TRED) and supporting risk assessment documents for the pesticide tebuthiuron. Comments, identified by docket ID number OPP-2002-0146, must be received on or before May 2, 2003.

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

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