EPA Publishes Draft Biological Effects Evaluation for Triazines
Nov 6th
EPA has published a notice regarding the Agency’s biological effects determination for the triazine herbicides, which reads in part as follows:
“Draft National Level Listed Species Biological Evaluation for Atrazine
In November 2020, EPA released the draft Biological Evaluation (BE) assessing risks to listed species from labeled uses of atrazine. Listed species refers to those that are federally listed as endangered or threatened, as well as experimental populations and those species that are proposed and candidates for listing. The draft BE was conducted according to the Revised Method for National Level Listed Species Biological Evaluations of Conventional Pesticides.
EPA Sends Ag Draft Agricultural Worker Protection Standard, Revision of the Application Exclusion Zone Requirements
Oct 12th
EPA has published Federal Register notice, as required by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, that the EPA Administrator has forwarded to the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture a draft regulatory document concerning ‘‘Pesticides; Agricultural Worker Protection Standard; Revision of the Application Exclusion Zone Requirements (RIN 2070–AK49).’’ The draft regulatory document is not available to the public until after it has been signed and made available by EPA.
EPA Publishes Interim Registration for Triazines
Sep 22nd
EPA has published the Agency’s approval of interim registration under FIFRA of atrazine and other triazine herbicides. EPA has not yet finally approved them. That decision awaits completion of Endangered Species Act review, a process that also involves the Fish and Wildlife Service. Click here for more details and relevant links.
“The Trump Administration Takes a Step toward Better Protecting Endangered Species”
Aug 18th
Editor’s note: The National Review published the above-titled article, which reads in part as follows:
“Improving incentives for landowners is a more effective way to conserve habitat than imposing burdensome regulatory mandates on them.
Words have meaning — or at least they should. And a high-profile legal battle over the Endangered Species Act has prompted the federal government to finally define the meaning of a simple word with potentially big consequences: habitat.
“EPA Issues Report Highlighting Actions Taken to Improve the Endangered Species Act Consultation Process for Pesticides”
Jul 3rd
Editor’s note: EPA published the above-titled article, which reads as follows:
“Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with federal partners, met a congressional commitment by submitting its second report to Congress highlighting the progress achieved to date with creating a more efficient and effective review process regarding pesticide impacts under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Highlights of the report include:
- How a new method announced in March 2020for conducting biological evaluations under the ESA will assure that pesticide registration review actions under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) do not jeopardize endangered species. The updated method ensures that—when available—the agency will use high-quality historical data that reflects where and how certain pesticides are used;
“EPA Reopens Public Comment Period on Proposed Interim Decisions for Neonicotinoids”
May 22nd
Editor’s note: On May 21, 2020, EPA posted the above-titled article, which reads as follows:
“The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reopening the public comment period for 30 days on the proposed interim decisions for the neonicotinoids acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam.
EPA is taking this action to extend the comment period after receiving public comments requesting additional time to review the Neonicotinoids’ Proposed Interim Registration Review Decisions and supporting materials citing the quantity and complexity of the Proposed Interim Decisions and supporting documents, as well as addressing time and resource constraints. Upon publication of the Federal Register notice, EPA invites comments on the proposed interim decisions for 30 days. After carefully considering public input, EPA will issue the interim decisions.
PPDC Meets May 20, 2020
May 1st
Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Office of Pesticide Programs is announcing a virtual public meeting of the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC) on May 20-21, 2020, with participation by phone and webcast only. There will be no in-person gathering for this meeting. DATES: This virtual public meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, from 10:00 a.m. to approximately 4:00 p.m., and Thursday, May 21, 2020, from 10 a.m. to approximately 3:00 p.m. To make oral comments during the virtual meeting, please register by noon on May 15, 2020.
EPA Extends Comment Period on Carbaryl and Methomyl BEs
Apr 24th
EPA issued a notice in the Federal Register of March 17, 2020, opening a 60-day comment period on the draft nationwide biological evaluations for the registration review of the pesticides carbaryl and methomyl relative to the potential effects on threatened and endangered species and their designated critical habitats.
EPA is extending the comment period for 45 days, from May 18, 2020 to July 2, 2020.
Comment on EPA’s 2017 Pesticide Registration Report
Apr 3rd
EPA is announcing the availability of EPA’s progress report in meeting its performance measures and goals for pesticide reregistration during fiscal year 2017. This progress report also presents the total number of products registered under the “fast-track” provisions of the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. Submit comments on or before 60 days after date of publication in the Federal Register, which is currently scheduled for April 6, 2020.
Click here for more information and relevant links.
EPA Offers Webinar to Discuss Draft Biological Evaluations for Carbaryl and Methomyl
Mar 27th
Editor’s note: EPA posted the following press release:
“On April 16, 2020, EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs will host a webinar to present the draft biological evaluations (BEs) for the insecticides carbaryl and methomyl. Register for the webinar here.
EPA used its revised method for conducting BEs to assess whether registered uses for these pesticides may impact endangered species. EPA announced the revised method and the draft BEs for carbaryl and methomyl in March 2020.
The revised method incorporates high-quality pesticide usage data into the agency’s biological evaluation process for the first time. It was informed by input from a wide range of stakeholders including states, tribes, environmental NGOs, and agricultural stakeholders.