Archive for November, 2012
EPA Publishes New EDSP Document
Nov 30th
EPA has published a document entitled, “The EDSP Universe of Chemicals and General Validation Principles,” available online at http://www.epa.gov/scipoly/oscpendo/pubs/edsp_chemical_universe_and_general_validations_white_paper_11_12.pdf . EPA developed this new EDSP document in response to EPA’s Office of Inspector General’s recommendations regarding the EDSP. The document presents the list of approximately 10,000 chemicals that are included in the EDSP under FIFRA and SDWA. Not all of these chemicals will be subject to EDSP Tier 1 testing. EPA intends to prioritize these chemicals for EDSP screening by considering physical chemical properties, exposure, and an effects based approach using computational toxicological methods. These computational toxicological methods will be evaluated by a four-day Science Advisory Panel beginning January 29, 2013.
SFIREG Meets on Bees and other Issues
Nov 21st
The State FIFRA Issues Research & Evaluation Group Full Committee will meet on December 10 and 11, 2012, at US EPA Offices, Arlington, VA, 2777 South Crystal Drive, One Potomac Yards (South Building) 1st Floor. The meeting is open to the public. Those who can’t attend in person can call in at 1-866-299-3188 then7033055561. A meeting agenda is available at http://www.aapco.org/meetings/agenda.full.sfireg.dec2012.pdf . Meeting items include Status of Pollinator Protection Issues Policy Development.
SAP to Review EDSP
Nov 16th
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel will meet to consider and review scientific issues associated with prioritizing the universe of Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program chemicals using computational toxicology tools. This SAP meeting will be held on January 29–February 1, 2013, from approximately 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Environmental Protection Agency, Conference Center, Lobby Level, One Potomac Yard (South Bldg.), 2777 S. Crystal Dr., Arlington, VA 22202. EPA encourages that written comments be submitted by January 15, 2013 and requests for oral comments be submitted by January 22, 2013. However, written comments and requests to make oral comments may be submitted until the date of the meeting.
Court Orders Briefing Schedules for ESA Pesticides Megasuit
Nov 8th
Environmental NGOs are suing EPA, basically asking a California federal district court to take over EPA’s pesticide program because EPA allegedly failed to meet all its pesticide obligations under the Endangered Species Act. At the Government’s and NGO’s request, the case has been stayed to allow settlement negotiations. The parties have moved the court to lift the stay, and to establish a briefing schedule, because they are unable to settle the case. In response, the court has lifted the settlement stay and ordered the following briefing schedule for the Government’s motion to dismiss:
(1) Federal Defendants’ motion to dismiss is due November 16, 2012.
EPA Asks OMB to Approve EDSP ICR
Nov 2nd
EPA has asked OMB’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs to approve a three year extension of EPA’s Information Collection Request for its Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, EPA cannot collect EDSP information from anyone without an OMB-approved ICR. EPA’s current ICR expired October 31, 2012. The public has until November 29, 2012, to comment to OMB about EPA’s request for an ICR extension. This ICR only covers the current Tier 1 tests of the EDSP.
Click here to read EPA’s Federal Register notice that the ICR has been submitted to OMB.