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The news releases, reports, and other documents listed below have been selected by the Ag Center because they are of direct importance to the environmental compliance efforts of the agricultural community. The items are in chronological order, with the most recent listed first.

June 27
New Resource Document Available for Cumulative Risk Assessments
EPA has released a final document entitled "Concepts, Methods, and Data Sources for Cumulative Health Risk Assessment of Multiple Chemicals, Exposures, and Effects: A Resource Document" (EPA/600/R-06/013F), which was prepared by the National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) within EPA's Office of Research and Development. This document focuses on two areas: (1) initiating factors for a cumulative risk assessment, with procedures for data collection and organization, and (2) technical approaches for assessing human health risks associated with a subset of cumulative risk issues (i.e., multiple chemicals, exposures, and effects). Overall, this document demonstrates the feasibility of including combinations of chemicals, exposures, effects, and their interactions into a cumulative risk assessment and is meant to assist with the conduct of multi-chemical, population-focused assessments. This document is available electronically through the NCEA.

Some Pesticide Applications Can Now Be Filed Electronically; Web Site Offers Guidance
As of July 15, the Office of Pesticide Programs will begin accepting certain types of pesticide applications and associated data electronically. The types of applications that will be accepted electronically are Section 3 applications and amendments, experimental use permits, tolerance petitions, and supplemental distributor applications. To help pesticide registrants format electronic submissions properly, EPA has established a new Web site that contains guidance for companies planning to submit pesticide applications and data electronically.

June 25
EPA Opens 11 Pesticide Registration Review Dockets for Comment; Closes Phosalone Review
EPA has established registration review dockets for 11 pesticides and has opened the public comment period for these registration reviews. Registration review is EPA's periodic review of pesticide registrations to ensure that each pesticide continues to satisfy the statutory standard for registration. Comments, identified by the docket identification number for the specific pesticide of interest, must be received on or before September 23, 2008. The chemicals are:

EPA is also announcing closure of the phosalone registration review case, for which the docket was opened on February 19, 2008. The Agency has determined that because there are no longer any current phosalone Section 3 or Section 24(c) registrations, phosalone is no longer subject to registration review.

Corrections Made to PR Notice 2007-4: Labeling Revisions Required by Final Container/Containment Rule
EPA has posted a corrected version of Pesticide Registration Notice 2007-4, Labeling Revisions Required by the Final Rule "Pesticide Management and Disposal; Standards for Pesticide Containers and Containment." The Agency made some editorial corrections, including an amendment to the label language in Appendix B of the Pesticide Registration Notice to accurately repeat what is required by the container and containment regulations.

June 24
Arkansas Receives $3.7 Million Non-Point Source Management Grant
EPA has awarded $3,797,688 to the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ANRC). This grant will help the state implement ANRC's non-point source management program. The funds will allow the state to implement eight projects to address a variety of non-point sources of water pollution, including urban runoff, sediment, and nutrients, as well as funding demonstrations of best management practices. ANRC will also use the funds for monitoring, education, and outreach.

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

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June 20
New Report Available on Ecosystems and Climate Change
EPA has released a report that can help reduce the potential impact of climate change on estuaries, forests, wetlands, coral reefs, and other sensitive ecosystems. The report, entitled "Preliminary Review of Adaptation Options for Climate-Sensitive Ecosystems and Resources," identifies strategies to protect the environment as these changes occur.

June 19
Estuaries Preparing To Be Climate Ready
EPA has selected six estuaries to be case studies for local action to protect sensitive coastal ecosystems and economies from the potential effects of climate change. This is the first step in EPA's new "Climate Ready Estuaries" effort to build local ability to adapt to climate change. The six pilots include the New Hampshire Estuaries Project, Massachusetts Bays Estuary Program, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Albemarle-Pamlico Sounds National Estuary Program, Charlotte Harbor Estuary Program, and San Francisco Estuary Project. Each estuary program will receive technical assistance to assess and reduce their vulnerability to climate change.

June 18
Public Meeting of the FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel Will Review Pyrethroid Pesticides
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel will meet in Arlington, Virginia, on September 9-11 to consider and review an evaluation of the common mechanism of action of pyrethroid pesticides. Pyrethroid pesticide usage has increased in the past decade in agricultural and residential settings. The Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) is in the early stages of evaluating the potential risks from increased exposure to these pesticides. As part of this evaluation, OPP is developing an analysis of the toxicity profiles of these pesticides and is evaluating whether or not some or all of the pyrethroid pesticides share a common mechanism of action (i.e., those pesticides that produce a common toxic effect by a common mechanism of toxicity). Establishing a common mechanism group is the first stage toward developing a cumulative risk assessment as required under the Food Quality Protection Act.

EPA Proposes Pesticide Tolerance Nomenclature Changes
EPA is proposing minor technical revisions to the commodity vocabulary database entitled "Food and Feed Commodity Vocabulary," listed under 40 CFR part 180, subpart A and subpart C. This database was developed to consolidate all the major Office of Pesticide Programs commodity vocabularies into one standardized vocabulary. A list of the proposed amendments is provided in the Federal Register notice. Comments must be received on or before August 18, 2008.

June 17
Owners of Maine Vacation Parcel Face EPA Fine for Filling Wetland
The owners of more than 3,200 acres of land on the western shore of Moosehead Lake face a possible EPA fine of up to $157,500 for filling 1.5 acres of freshwater wetlands on their property. The filling of wetlands, which occurred during the expansion of an existing private airstrip and the development of a rock quarry, is a violation of the federal Clean Water Act and other federal requirements designed to protect wetlands. This is the second violation of wetlands protections in the federal Clean Water Act by the property owners. In 1997, the property owners constructed a trout pond on the property, altering approximately 0.4 of an acre without first seeking a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers, as required by the federal Clean Water Act.

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

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June 16
Task Force Releases Action Plan To Reduce Nutrients to Mississippi River
The Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force has released an Action Plan that involves state and federal partners in reducing hypoxia in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. The 2008 Action Plan for Reducing, Mitigating, and Controlling Hypoxia in the Northern Gulf of Mexico and Improving Water Quality in the Mississippi River Basin builds upon the 2001 plan by incorporating emerging issues, innovative approaches, and the latest science, including findings from EPA's Science Advisory Board. The plan addresses pollution from the entire 31-state Mississippi River watershed.

June 12
EPA Completes Analysis of Unregistered Scotts Products
In April, EPA ordered Scotts Miracle-Gro Co., located in Marysville, Ohio, to stop selling and distributing four pesticide products. Two of these products are illegal because they were never registered with EPA and display invalid registration numbers on the labels. The other two products are currently registered with EPA. However, Scotts sold and distributed these products before they were registered, which is a violation of federal law. The labels on these two products make false or misleading claims or fail to provide adequate safety instructions to protect people and the environment. Now EPA, in conjunction with the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), has analyzed the two unregistered Scotts products for their individual components and potential contaminants. The analyses showed that the contents of both unregistered pesticides are typical of other consumer weed and feed products. EPA's online fact sheet provides the public with information about the Agency's actions, the safety of the products in question, and directions for what to do with existing supplies.

June 11
Comments Invited on Proposed Amendments to Container and Containment Rule
On August 16, 2006, EPA promulgated a final rule entitled "Pesticide Management and Disposal; Standards for Pesticide Containers and Containment." EPA is now proposing to amend the container and containment regulations to provide a one year extension of the labeling compliance date from August 17, 2009, to August 17, 2010; to change the phrase "sold or distributed" to "released for shipment" as associated with all of the compliance dates; to provide for exceptions to the language requirements for some specific nonrefillable packages; to allow for waivers of certain label requirements for other refillable and nonrefillable containers on a case-by-case basis; and to correct typographical and other minor errors. In addition, the Agency is proposing to amend the definitions in 40 CFR part 152 to establish a definition of "released for shipment." These changes are being proposed to address concerns raised by stakeholders and as a result of further Agency consideration. Comments must be received on or before July 11, 2008.

June 10
Watershed Academy Webcast Features New Web Site for State-Reported Water Quality Information
On EPA's free June 18 Watershed Academy Webcast, EPA experts will explain the newly released ATTAINS Web site where water quality managers and the public can go to view a wide range of state-reported water quality information. This Web site combines two formerly separate databases: the National Assessment Database and the National Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Tracking System. ATTAINS gives the "full story" showing which waters have been assessed, which are impaired, and which are being (or have been) restored. This Web site allows the user to view dynamic tables and charts that summarize state-reported information for the entire nation, for individual states and waters, and for the 10 EPA regions. An archived audio version of this Webcast, as well as previous programs, will be available online.

EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds Releases 2007 Annual Report
The Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds (OWOW) 2007 Annual Report provides a snapshot of OWOW's notable accomplishments in calendar year 2007. Accomplishments include: the completion of more than 4,000 watershed cleanup plans, the 20th anniversary celebration of the National Estuary Program, and release of the Nonpoint Source Outreach Toolbox, an on-line repository of watershed outreach materials, including nearly 800 public service announcements, radio, TV, and print ads.

EPA Offers Grants for Programs To Reduce Hypoxic Zone in Gulf of Mexico
EPA plans to award up to $4.2 million in targeted watershed grants to reduce the hypoxic zone in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The Agency is soliciting proposals that will use water quality trading programs to reduce nutrient loads, particularly from the Ohio River, the Upper Mississippi River, or the Lower Mississippi River. These three sub-basins provide the most nutrients to the Gulf, contributing to the hypoxic zone, an oxygen-depleted area that cannot support aquatic life. Excess nutrients come from a wide range of sources, including runoff from developed land, atmospheric deposition, soil erosion, agricultural fertilizers, and sewage and industrial discharges. Market-based approaches like water quality trading that use innovative pollutant cap and trade programs can accelerate the restoration of the Gulf and help achieve major reductions in pollution at lower costs. Grant proposals must be submitted by Sept. 9, 2008.

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

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June 9
New Total Maximum Daily Loads and Stormwater Web Page Released
The Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) is implemented via the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater permitting system. States and EPA Regions have used a variety of methods to develop stormwater-source TMDLs during the past decade. With the expansion of NDPES Stormwater regulations to smaller municipalities and smaller construction activities, there has been increasing demand for more detailed quantification of stormwater allocations in TMDLs that are more useful for implementation in NDPES permits.

June 6
AAPCO / SFIREG Sets Public Meeting
The Association of American Pesticide Control Officials (AAPCO) / State FIFRA Issues Research and Evaluation Group (SFIREG) Working Committee on Pesticide Operations and Management (WC/POM) will meet June 23 and 24 in Arlington, Virginia. A tentative agenda is included in the Federal Register announcement.

2008 Farm Bill Exit EPA
Overall spending on conservation programs increased by $7.9 billion in the new Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008. The new law authorizes 32 million acres for enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program from 2010-2012; increases the maximum enrollment in the Wetlands Reserve Program to 3,041,000 acres and reestablishes a baseline of $1.3 billion; increases funding for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program by $3.4 billion; provides $1.1 billion in new funding for the Conservation Security Program to enroll nearly 13 million acres per year; provides $438 million in new funding to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay region, and reauthorizes the Small Watershed Rehabilitation Program at $100 million through 2012.

National Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center June Newsletter and Webcast Exit EPA
The June edition of the National Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center (LPELC) newsletter is available. Topics include: "The Air Quality Team Will Present A Webcast Double Feature on June 27 and July 18, 2008 on Ammonia: The Air-Water Interface and Federal Air Regulations for Animal Feeding Operations; USGS Report Researches Water Consumed by Livestock Production; Water Quality Credit Trading is the Focus of August Workshop; Great Lakes Manure Handling Expo; and Want to Reduce Ammonia Emissions from Layers? Feed Them Fiber!" There will be two Webcasts in June. The first Webcast will be on June 20, 2008, and will feature Chris Henry, University of Nebraska, Mark Rice, North Carolina State University, Mike Westendorf, Rutgers University, and Fred Kelly, USDA NRCS. They will discuss "Managing Manure on Small Farms." The second Webcast will be on June 27, 2008, and will feature Randy Martin, Utah State University, Jessica Davis, Colorado State University, and Pius Ndewga, Washington State University. They will discuss "Ammonia: The Air-Water Interface."

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

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May 30
EPA Releases Draft Integrated Science Assessment for Sulfur Oxides--Health Criteria
EPA has released the second external review draft of a document titled, "Draft Integrated Science Assessment for Sulfur Oxides--Health Criteria'' (EPA/600/R-08/047). The document was prepared by the National Center for Environmental Assessment within EPA's Office of Research and Development as part of the review of the primary (health-based) national ambient air quality standards for sulfur oxides. EPA is releasing this draft document solely for the purpose of seeking public comment and for review by the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (meeting date and location to be specified in a separate Federal Register notice). Comments must be received on or before July 25, 2008.

Human Studies Review Board Schedules Public Meeting
EPA's Office of the Science Advisor announces that the Human Studies Review Board (HSRB) will hold a public meeting June 24-25, 2008. in Arlington, Virginia. The purpose of the board is to advise the Agency on EPA's scientific and ethical review of human subjects research. Among the items on the agenda are (1) review of two associated protocols from the Agricultural Handlers Exposure Task Force, which collectively describe research to monitor exposure of subjects who apply an agricultural pesticide using airblast equipment in closed cabs, and (2) a report from a completed laboratory study to evaluate the efficacy of two registered products containing picaridin in repelling mosquitoes of the genus Culex. Requests to present oral comments will be accepted up to June 17, 2008. Written comments, identified by docket ID no. EPA-HQ-ORD-2008-0355, will be accepted at any time, but commenters are encouraged to submit them no later than noon, Eastern Time, June 17, 2008, so they may useful in the committee's deliberations.

May 29
New Safety Measures Will Protect Children, Wildlife From Rodent-Control Products
New safety measures announced by EPA will protect children from accidental exposure to rodent-control products. These measures will also reduce the risk of accidental poisonings of pets and wildlife. EPA is requiring that ten rodenticides used in bait products marketed to consumers be enclosed in bait stations, making the pesticide inaccessible to children and pets, and is also prohibiting the sale of loose bait, such as pellets, for use in homes. EPA is requiring that companies manufacturing these products respond to EPA within 90 days regarding their intention to comply with the new requirements.

May 28
Clean-up Completed at Abandoned Potato Farm in Massachusetts
EPA workers and contractors completed the clean-up of hazardous materials, including pesticides and asbestos, at the Albert Farms Property in Worthington, Mass. earlier this month. The action included consolidating the contents of 38 drums into 14 drums; removing the drums; removing a 275-gallon tank of hazardous substances; and removing 20 yards of asbestos containing materials from the site. All of the removed materials were disposed of at EPA-approved facilities. Air monitoring conducted during the removal did not detect asbestos which could pose a health concern for people. The cost of the clean up was $96,000.

May 27
U.S. Department of Agriculture Announces Amendments to Treatments for Plant Pests
USDA has issued a final rule amending the regulations for the treatment of fruits, vegetables, and other articles to prevent the introduction or dissemination of plant pests or noxious weeds into or through the United States. The new rule removes two treatment options that a review found to be ineffective at neutralizing their target plant pests. USDA is also removing two treatment schedules that are no longer authorized for use, and clarifying the fruits and vegetables on which two methyl bromide treatments may be used.

Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee (FRRCC) Presentations from Washington, DC Meeting Available
The PDF presentation files from the March 13-14, 2008 meeting in Washington, DC are available on the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee (FRRCC) Web site.

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

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May 22
Pennsylvania Gets $42.4 Million for Water Projects
EPA has awarded $42.4 million to Pennsylvania to improve water quality. The funding has been awarded to Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) to further capitalize its Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which provides low interest loans for the construction of water treatment facilities, nonpoint source and estuary projects and other water quality management activities.

May 21
Final Guidance Available for Pesticide Registrants on Environmental Hazard General Labeling Statements on Outdoor Residential Use Products
The Agency is announcing the availability of a Pesticide Registration Notice (PR Notice) entitled "Environmental Hazard General Labeling Statements on Outdoor Residential Use Products.'' This PR Notice was issued by the Agency on May 9, 2008 and is identified as PR Notice 2008-1. PR Notices are issued by the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) to inform pesticide registrants and other interested persons about important policies, procedures, and registration related decisions, and serve to provide guidance to pesticide registrants and OPP personnel. This particular PR Notice provides guidance to the registrant concerning new environmental hazard statements that are designed to replace language created for agricultural products with statements that are easier for consumers to understand. The new environmental hazard statements are divided by product type (e.g., liquid ready-to-use, broadcast granular), and recommends specific language for each product type to minimize risks to the human health and the environment, with emphasis on reducing risks to water. Revisions to product labels using these new statements may be made by notification.

May 20
EPA Settles With Illinois, Michigan Companies Over Hazardous Chemical Release
EPA Region 5 settled two cases involving hazardous chemical releases. The facilities cited are located in Lanark, Illinois, and Belleville, Michigan. Royster-Clark Inc., 25885 State Route 72, Lanark, paid a $10,478 penalty. The facility was cited for failure to promptly report an 800-pound release of anhydrous ammonia to the National Response Center on October 19, 2005. The NRC was notified more than two hours after the company knew of the incident. The chemical was released from a nurse tank during transport and lasted approximately 20 minutes. It was eight times the reportable quantity.

May 19
Annual State Lakes Managers' Meeting Focuses on Improving Fisheries and Lake Water Quality Management
Each year for over two decades, state lake program managers have gathered in Chicago to discuss approaches for improving the states’ lake management programs. The April 29-May 2, 2008 program focused on the importance of fisheries in developing comprehensive lake management strategies. Over 150 lake water quality and fisheries specialists examined approaches for enhancing fisheries interactions with other lake management objectives, such as water quality, recreation, and overall ecosystem health.

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

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May 16
Massachusetts Cleaning Company Faces Fine for Pesticide Violations
A Brighton, Mass. soap and specialty cleaning company faces a penalty of up to $16,000 for allegedly violating pesticide production reporting requirements under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. According to EPA, Spectrowax Corp. failed to file production reports by the March 1 deadline for the reporting years of 2005, 2006, and 2007. Spectrowax is being penalized as a second time offender for each of these alleged violations because of a prior penalty action against the company in 2003.

May 15
Michigan Sugar Settles Clean Air Act Permit Violations
Michigan Sugar, a grower-owned sugar cooperative located in Bay City, Mich., will use pollution reduction measures valued at more than $13 million at its processing facility to resolve alleged violations of the Clean Air Act, EPA, and the Justice Department announced. Along with the pollution reduction measures, Michigan Sugar will also pay a $210,000 civil penalty.

Massachusetts Race Course Ordered To Reduce Bacterial Waste in Stormwater
EPA has ordered the Suffolk Downs horse racing track of East Boston to take immediate action to reduce pollutants being discharged to Sales Creek, a tributary to Boston Harbor. Suffolk Downs is violating the federal Clean Water Act due to horse manure, urine, bedding material, and stable wash water that are entering the waterways through stormwater runoff. EPA order also requires Suffolk to submit an application for the appropriate discharge permit from EPA. Suffolk is required to develop and submit a plan for interim measures to eliminate or reduce to the maximum extent possible the discharge of pollutants until the required permit – a "National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System" (NPDES) permit for a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation – is issued to the facility.

May 14
Naphthalene Risk Assessments, Risk Reduction Options Available for Comments
This notice announces the availability of EPA's risk assessments, and related documents for the pesticide naphthalene, and opens a public comment period on these documents (phase three of four phase process). The public is encouraged to suggest risk management ideas or proposals to address the risks identified. EPA is developing a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for naphthalene through a modified, four phase public participation process that the Agency uses to involve the public in developing pesticide reregistration decisions. Through this program, EPA is ensuring that all pesticides meet current health and safety standards. Comments must be received on or before July 14, 2008.

May 13
Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee Sets Public Meeting
Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, EPA sets a public meeting of the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC). A draft agenda has been developed that includes web-based labeling; toxicity testing; harmonization and global registration activities; endangered species; pesticide program resources; updates on spray drift, cause marketing, volatilization, endocrine disruptors, and inerts; and reports from the PPDC PRIA Process Improvements Work Group. The PPDC meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 21, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., and Thursday, May 22, 2008, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Web Site for Electronic Integrated Reporting of Water Quality Assessment and Total Maximum Daily Loads
This site provides information reported by the states to EPA about the conditions in their surface waters. This information is required every two years under Clean Water Act Sections 305(b) and 303(d). Because of differences in state assessment methods, the information in this site should not be used to compare water quality conditions between states or to determine water quality trends.

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

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May 12
FY 2009 National Water Program Guidance Is Released
EPA's National Water Program has released the final Fiscal Year 2009 National Water Program Guidance.  This is the second annual water program guidance to implement the EPA 2006-2011 strategic plan. The guidance describes water program priorities and strategies, including the suite of water performance measures and their targets, for the coming fiscal year. The National Water Program thanks stakeholders who provided comments on the draft guidance for their contribution to the revision of the draft document.

May 7
National Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center May Newsletter and Webcast Exit EPA
The May edition of the National Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center (LPELC) newsletter is available. Topics include: "Managing Manure on Small Farms" Will Be Presented in the June Webcast; Are We Doing Our Job? Tell Us in the Impact Survey; Coming Soon! Air Quality Series of Webcasts; Hot Off the Press! Research Information on Pharmaceuticals and Manure; and Report Is Critical of the Impact of Large-Scale Animal Production. The next Webcast will be on May 16, 2008, and will feature Suzy Friedman, Environmental Defense Fund, Jim Jensen, Environmental Credit Corporation, and Dale Dewing, Cornell University. They will discuss "Market Based Conservation: Implications for Manure Management."

Triclosan Risk Assessment, Risk Reduction Options Available for Comments
EPA has released risk assessments and related documents for the pesticide triclosan, and has opened a public comment period on these documents. The public is encouraged to suggest risk management ideas or proposals to address the risks identified. EPA is developing a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for triclosan through a modified, four-phase public participation process. Comments must be received on or before July 7, 2008.

May 5
EPA To Conduct Cleanup of Carman Chemical in Missouri
EPA Region 7 will begin work to remove the last of several aging containers of pesticides from a Monroe County, Missouri, agricultural chemical business, finishing a Superfund cleanup operation that owners of the business had been ordered to complete 4 years ago. Carman Chemical, Inc. (CCI) officially received a unilateral administrative order from EPA on May 7, 2004. At that time, owners were directed by EPA to remove a number of pesticide containers, some of which were leaking or unlabeled, from their business property.

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

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May 2
Request for Critical Use Exemption Applications for Methyl Bromide
EPA is soliciting applications for the critical use exemption from the phaseout of methyl bromide for 2011 and beyond. In addition, applicants who missed last year's deadline to submit a critical use application for an exemption in the year 2010 may file a supplemental application. This is an annual exemption. All applicants must provide EPA with technical and economic information to support a "critical use" claim, and must do so by the deadline even if they have previously applied for an exemption. Interested parties are also invited to provide EPA with new data on the technical and economic feasibility of methyl bromide alternatives. Applications for the critical use exemption must be postmarked on or before July 31, 2008.

May 1
May is American Wetlands Month
This May marks the 18th anniversary of American Wetlands Month, a time when EPA and its partners in federal, state, tribal, local, non-profit, and private sector organizations celebrate the vital importance of wetlands to the nation's ecological, economic, and social health. It is also a great opportunity to discover and teach others about the important role that wetlands play in our environment and the significant benefits they provide -- improved water quality, increased water storage and supply, reduced flood and storm surge risk, and critical habitat for plants, fish, and wildlife.

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