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News Archive: October 2004

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 Also, please be aware that the information in any particular article may be outdated or superseded by additional information.

October 27
Comments Invited on Carbaryl Interim Reregistration Eligibility Decision
EPA has completed its Interim Reregistration Eligibility Decision (IRED) for the N-methyl carbamate pesticide carbaryl, and has opened a public comment period on this decision. The Agency's risk assessments and other related documents also are available in the carbaryl docket. Carbaryl is an insecticide registered for use on agricultural crops, ornamentals, and turf (sod farms). It is also used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for grasshopper control. Comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number OPP- 2003-0376, must be received on or before December 27, 2004.

October 26
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permits Viewable Online
EPA is implementing a multi-year project to scan copies of major NPDES permits and make them easily available to the public on the EPA Web site. More than 2,000 NPDES individual and general permits are already on the site.

Call for Nominations for 2005 National Wetlands Awards
Each year the environmental community comes together to honor individuals who have dedicated their time and energy to protecting our nation's wetlands. Since 1989, the Environmental Law Institute and EPA have co-sponsored the National Wetlands Awards Program. Since 1998, co-sponsorship has expanded to include the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, and the USDA Forest Service. The 2005 Awards will be given in six categories: Education and Outreach; Science Research; Conservation and Restoration; Landowner Stewardship; State, Tribal, and Local Program Development; and Wetland Community Leader. The deadline for submitting nominations is December 15, 2004.

October 21
Animal Feeding Operations (AFO) Virtual Information Center Online
EPA has developed a comprehensive Internet guide to provide quick access to livestock agricultural information in the United States. This site is intended to be a single point of reference to obtain links to state regulations, Web sites, permits and policies, nutrient management information, livestock and trade associations, federal Web sites, best management practices and controls, cooperative extension and land-grant universities, research, funding, and information on environmental issues. You can search links by selecting a specific link category, by selecting a state to obtain state-specific links, or view all AFO Virtual Information Center links.

Comment Period Extended for White Paper on Global System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals
EPA has extended the comment period on the white paper entitled “The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals: Implementation Planning Issues for the Office of Pesticide Programs.” The Agency announced the availability of the white paper in a Federal Register notice published August 25. The original comment period was set to end on October 25, 2004. Comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number OPP– 2004–0205, must now be received on or before December 6, 2004.

EPA Environmental Information Exchange Network Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2005
EPA is soliciting applications for the FY 2005 Environmental Information Exchange Network Grant Program. The Exchange Network is a nationwide information systems network that facilitates the electronic reporting and exchange of environmental data among EPA and its state, tribal, and territorial partners. The Exchange Network makes it easier for EPA and its partners to obtain the timely and accurate information they need when making decisions concerning the natural environment and related human health issues. Applications must be submitted to EPA in hard copy by January 15, 2005.

FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel Schedules Three Meetings
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel (FIFRA SAP) has scheduled three meetings between November 30 and December 3, 2004. All the meetings are open to the public and will take place in Arlington, Virginia.

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

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October 20
Comments Invited on TRED for Low-Risk Pesticide Chlorimuron Ethyl
EPA has issued a Tolerance Reassessment Decision (TRED) for the low-risk pesticide chlorimuron ethyl. Public comments are invited on this document, related risk assessments, and other support documents. EPA has reviewed chlorimuron ethyl through a modified, streamlined version of the public participation process that the Agency uses to involve the public in developing pesticide tolerance reassessment and reregistration decisions. Comments, identified by docket identification number OPP-2004- 0307, must be received on or before November 19, 2004.

October 19
Working Committee on Pesticide Operations and Management 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 will hold a two-day meeting November 8 and 9, 2004, in Arlington, Virginia.

October 14
Grants Awarded To Develop Pesticide Risk Reduction Programs
EPA has named 13 states and state universities that will receive grants to develop programs to reduce the risks associated with pesticide use in agricultural and nonagricultural settings in the United States. Under the Pesticide Environmental Stewardship (PESP) Regional Initiative Grant program, EPA is awarding $507,100 in 2004 for outreach, education, training, demonstration, and measurement projects that advance pesticide risk reduction. Since 1996, EPA has awarded more than $4.5 million in grants under this program.

EPA Seeks To Penalize Food Company $46,000 for Ammonia Release
EPA announced it is seeking a $46,408 penalty against Natural Country Farms for not immediately reporting a release of anhydrous ammonia from its juice packaging facility in Ellington, Connecticut, in violation of federal law. According to the complaint, the Ellington plant released about 6,134 pounds of anhydrous ammonia on Oct. 14, 2003, which led to the evacuation of some 1,500 people within a half mile of the facility. Two elderly people were taken to the hospital for evaluation, and ammonia concentrations of 150 parts per million were detected in the neighborhood after the release. The release triggered a major chemical emergency response operation that included state, local, and federal government organizations.

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

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October 13
Environmental Information Exchange Network Grants Awarded
EPA announced the award of 67 grants totaling more than $20 million to states, territories, and tribes for continued work on the nationwide Environmental Information Exchange Network. Thirty-two states, three U.S. territories, and 18 native American tribes received grants under fiscal year 2004 funding. Electronic data exchange provides federal and state governments with more timely access to environmental data from diverse sources, leading to better informed environmental decisions.

EPA To Solicit Proposals for State Innovation Grants
EPA Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation (OPEI) is giving a preliminary notice of its intention to solicit proposals for a 2004/2005 grant program to support innovation by state environmental regulatory agencies -- the "State Innovation Grant Program.'' The Agency is also seeking input from state environmental regulatory agencies on the topic areas for the solicitation. In addition, EPA is asking each state environmental regulatory agency to designate a point of contact at the management level (in addition to the commissioner or cabinet secretary level) who should receive further communication about the upcoming solicitation. EPA anticipates publication of a Federal Register notice to announce the availability of the next solicitation within 75 days.

EPA Releases Latest Estimates of U.S. Pesticide Use
EPA's report, "Pesticide Industry Sales and Usage: 2000 and 2001 Market Estimates” is now available to the public. This report contains the latest estimates of pesticide use in the United States. It includes information on agricultural and nonagricultural pesticide use and illustrates graphically historical trends and levels of use over the last 20 years. Also included are data on imports, exports, firms, employment, the number of certified applicators, and the number of pesticides in use. The report contains statistics on pesticide sales and usage based on available information taken from Agency records of registrations, USDA surveys of pesticide use, and other public and proprietary sources.

October 8
Updated Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Lawsuit Information
EPA has updated the Summary of TMDL Litigation posted on EPA's Total Maximum Daily Load Program Web site.

October 7
EPA Conditionally Registers New Bt Cotton Product
EPA has conditionally approved a new Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) plant-incorporated protectant in cotton (Wide strikeŽ) for use until Sept. 30, 2009. Wide strikeŽ cotton is expected to have environmental and public health benefits by reducing the use of conventional chemical insecticides that may be applied to cotton several times per season. Wide strikeŽ also has the potential to extend the useful life of existing plant-incorporated protectants and provide additional benefits for insect resistance management. EPA granted this conditional registration and approved a tolerance exemption after reviewing the results of experimental trials, analyzing numerous scientific studies looking at both human health and environmental impacts, consulting with the Scientific Advisory Panel and reviewing public comments. Following this thorough registration review process, EPA determined that granting a conditional registration for this use would not pose unreasonable risks to human health, nontarget organisms, or the environment.

EPA Fines Los Angeles Company for Selling Unregistered Pesticides
EPA fined Los Angeles-based Vernon Sales, Inc. $4,400 for allegedly selling unregistered pesticides in violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. EPA cited the company for allegedly selling or distributing Limon Lysol Antibacterial, Pino Lysol Antibacterial, De La Nines Lysol Antibacterial, and Lavanda Lysol Antibacterial without EPA registration numbers.

EPA Cites Two Businesses for Selling Illegal Pesticides
EPA is seeking $57,750 in fines from an Orange, California, firm and $40,400 in fines from a St. Louis firm for violations of federal pesticide laws. EPA cited Eagle One Golf Products, Orange, California, for allegedly selling an unregistered pesticide to homeowners' associations and golf courses. Bio Logix Algae Treatment, which is designed to control algae in ponds, was initially sold and distributed illegally by a St. Louis-based firm, Biologix Products Group, under the name "WaterTreat 100". The EPA is fining Biologix $40,040 for selling and distributing an illegal pesticide.

Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

October 5
EPA Releases New Version of BASINS Water Quality Model
A new version (3.1) of the Better Assessment Science Integrating point and Nonpoint Sources (BASINS) software system has been released. Originally introduced in 1996 with subsequent releases in 1998 and 2001, BASINS is a multipurpose environmental analysis system designed for use by regional, state, and local agencies in performing watershed and water quality-based studies. This system makes it possible to quickly assess large amounts of point source and non-point source data in a format that is easy to use and understand. Installed on a personal computer, BASINS allows the user to assess water quality at selected stream sites or throughout an entire watershed. This invaluable tool integrates environmental data, analytical tools, and modeling programs to support development of cost-effective approaches to watershed management and environmental protection, including TMDLs.

October 1
Illinois Company Cited for Pesticide Export Violations
EPA Region 5 has filed an administrative complaint against Nufarm Americas, Inc., Chicago Heights, Illinois, for improperly exporting unregistered pesticide products. A $33,000 penalty has been proposed. In a six-count notice of violation, Nufarm was cited for exporting Atila 41% Herbicida-Fosfonico Glifosato, Marmina 6 D Herbicida Solucion Concentrada Acuosa, Marman 24-De 60 SL Marman Amina 6D, and 2,4-D/Mecoprop Manufacturing Concentrate. The products were exported to Mexico, El Salvador, and Canada.

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