EPA Publishes Guidance on Interspecies and Intraspecies Extrapolation
Oct 15th
EPA has published its guidance on using Quantitative Data to Develop Data-Derived Extrapolation Factors for Interspecies and Intraspecies Extrapolation. This document lays out methods for calculation of factors compensating for the application of animal toxicity data to humans (interspecies) and for compensating for sensitive populations (intraspecies). The use of data to conduct these extrapolations rather than rely on default values advances EPA’s policy of considering relevant data first when conducting its chemical assessments.
EPA’s guidance is available here.
EPA Publishes Article on Understanding Pesticide Science
Oct 15th
EPA has posted on its pesticide website an article entitled Understanding the Science behind EPA’s Pesticide Decisions. According to EPA’s article,
“Science is the backbone of the EPA’s decision-making. The Agency’s ability to pursue its mission to protect human health and the environment depends upon the integrity and quality of the science on which it relies. The environmental policies, decisions, guidance, and regulations that impact the lives of all Americans must be grounded, at a most fundamental level, in sound, high quality science.
Another Workshop on NAS Report Implementation
Sep 17th
EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service are holding a 1-day workshop to provide a forum for stakeholders to offer scientific and technical feedback on the interim approaches that were issued in November 2013 by EPA, USDA, and the Services in response to the National Academy of Sciences report entitled, “Assessing Risks to Endangered and Threatened Species from Pesticides.’’
SFIREG Committees Meet
Sep 1st
The Association of American Pesticide Control Officials (AAPCO)/State FIFRA Issues Research and Evaluation Group (SFIREG), Environmental Quality Issues (EQI) Committee, and the Pesticide Operations and Management (POM) Committee will meet on Monday, September 15, 2014 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Tuesday, September 16, 2014.
The meeting will be held at EPA, One Potomac Yard (South Bldg.), 2777 Crystal Dr., Arlington, VA, 4th Floor, South Conference Room.
Tentative agenda items include:
• Sharing State Data with EPA– OECA.
• Cover Crop issue—National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) actions.
EPA Reinstates Salmon Buffer Zones
Aug 22nd
EPA is reinstating streamside no-spray buffer zones for endangered or threatened Pacific salmon and steelhead in California, Oregon and Washington State. No-spray buffer zones will be imposed for the pesticides carbaryl, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, malathion and methomyl in waters that support salmon. These buffer zones will remain in place until EPA implements any other protections for Pacific salmon and steelhead based on reinitiated consultations with the National Marine Fisheries Services.
PNAS Peer Review Abuses Alleged
Aug 6th
Hank Campbell, in his blog Science 2.0., recently posted an article criticizing the peer review process in some scientific journals. Mr. Campbell used a PNAS paper on atrazine and amphibians as an example of what he claims to be prevalent peer review abuses. Part of Mr. Campbell’s article follows:
CRE Comments on EPA’s Proposed Worker Protection Standards for Pesticides
Jul 29th
On July 28, 2014, the Center for Regulatory Effectiveness filed comments on EPA’s proposed Worker Protection Standards for pesticides. CRE’s comments included the following Executive Summary:
“EPA repeatedly states that reduction of human chronic disease from pesticide exposure is one of the primary WPS benefits. Yet even EPA admits there is no record showing that pesticide exposure as currently regulated causes chronic disease.
EPA also repeatedly states that there is an association between chronic human disease and ‘generalized’ pesticide exposure. The WPS’ blanket indictment of all pesticide exposure is irreconcilable with EPA’s conclusions during FIFRA registrations that individual pesticides do not pose any significant risk of human chronic disease.
FWS and NMFS Interpret Important ESA Terms
Jul 9th
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service have jointly published their interpretation of the phrase ‘‘significant portion of its range’’ in the Endangered Species Act’s definitions of ‘‘endangered species’’ and ‘‘threatened species.’’ The purpose of the Services’ final policy is to provide a consistent standard for interpretation of the phrase and its role in ESA listing determinations. This policy is effective on July 31, 2014. This policy is available at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-07-01/pdf/2014-15216.pdf .
FWS and NMFS Extend Comment Period on their Draft ESA Section 4(b)(2) Policy and Regulations
Jun 26th
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service have extended the public comment period on their May 12, 2014, draft policy regarding implementation of section 4(b)(2) of the Endangered Species Act. They will now accept comments from all interested parties until October 9, 2014. FWS and NMFS have also extended the comment period for two related proposed regulation amendments. The new comment period for these proposed regulations is also October 9, 2014.
EPA Seeks Comment on Salmon Buffer Zones for Five Pesticides
Jun 14th
EPA is requesting comments on a proposed stipulated injunction that, among other things, would reinstitute streamside no-spray buffer zones to protect endangered or threatened Pacific salmon and steelhead in California, Oregon and Washington state. The stipulated injunction would settle litigation brought against EPA by the Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides and others in U.S. District Court in Washington state. Like the original buffer zones, the limitations in this proposed stipulated injunction would be part of a court order but would not be enforceable as labeling requirements under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.