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Agriculture
Newsroom
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.
About
PDF Files
November 10
 EPA
Seeks Proposals for Pesticide Safety Program for Agricultural Workers,
Pesticide Handlers, Health Providers
EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) is soliciting proposals for financial
assistance to support a continuing national and international pesticide
safety program to analyze occupational safety programs and information
for agricultural workers, pesticide providers, and health professionals
to reduce exposure to pesticides. As part of this program, the grantee
will analyze the current status of private and public programs on pesticide
safety; conduct outreach meetings with experts from the agricultural community
to assess needs; and develop education and training programs, outreach
materials, and improved hazard communications for pesticide applicators,
agricultural workers, health providers, growers, and local, state, national,
and international organizations and government agencies. Applications
must be received by EPA on or before December 27, 2004.
Comments
Invited on Cyhexatin Risk Assessments and Preliminary Risk Reduction Options
EPA has released risk assessments, preliminary risk reduction options,
and related documents for the pesticide cyhexatin, and has opened a public
comment period on these documents. The public also is encouraged to suggest
risk management ideas or proposals to address the risks identified. EPA
is developing a tolerance reassessment decision (TRED) for cyhexatin through
a modified, four-phase public participation process. Comments, identified
by docket identification (ID) number OPP-2004-0295, must be received on
or before January 10, 2005.
November 9
EPA
Statement on Children's Environmental Exposure Research Study
Because protecting the health and well-being of children is of paramount
importance, EPA is sending the Children's Environmental Exposure Research
Study (CHEERS) for another external, independent review by an expert panel
made up of members of the Science Advisory Board, the Science Advisory
Panel, and the Children's Health Protection Advisory Committee. It is
anticipated that this review will be completed and that a report will
be forwarded to the Administrator in spring 2005. Based on this review,
the Agency will reassess the study. EPA scientists need to fully understand
how children are exposed to pesticides and through what media (air, water,
soil, etc.) EPA is particularly concerned about childhood exposure, because
children may be more vulnerable than adults to the effects of environmental
contaminants due to their smaller body sizes and rapid physical development.
There is insufficient research to define pathways of exposure -- the routes
by which pesticides may enter a child's body. Possible pathways that could
be investigated are ingestion (food and drink), inhalation, residue from
crops, soil, and ingestion of household dust.
EPA
Orders Nevada Beef Company To Correct Violations of Federal Water Regulations
EPA ordered the Agri-Beef Company to correct damage done to a local river
on its 1.4 million-acre IL Ranch in Elko County, Nevada, in violation
of the federal Clean Water Act. EPA ordered the company to correct damage
done to a segment of the South Fork Owyhee River at the company’s
ranch located approximately 80 miles north of Elko. The company placed
roughly 3,200 cubic yards of dredged material -- dirt and debris –
into the river to divert 1,200 feet of its flow without first obtaining
a federal permit.
November 8
U.S.
Calls NAFTA Environmental Report “Flawed, Unscientific”
The United States has issued a statement regarding the Secretariat of
the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) report
on genetically modified maize (corn), “Maize and Biodiversity: The
Effects of Transgenic Maize in Mexico,” released November 8. The
Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Trade Representative
issued the joint statement, which says in part: “This report is fundamentally
flawed and unscientific; key recommendations are not based on sound science,
and are contradicted by the report’s own scientific findings. The
authors acknowledge that no economic analysis of their recommendations
was conducted, and that many of these recommendations are based solely
on socio-cultural considerations."
November 4
EPA
Withdraws Proposal on Test Procedures for Detection and Quantitation of
Water Pollutants; Releases Revised Document
EPA is withdrawing the March 2003 proposal to revise detection and
quantitation procedures used in Clean Water Act (CWA) programs. The decision
to withdraw the proposal is based on the divergent views on the proposed
revisions and a desire to improve the procedures through a possible stakeholder
dialogue. EPA is also releasing a revised assessment document on detection
and quantitation procedures.
Pesticide
Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates
- Flazasulfuron
and pinoxaden -- registration application (November 10)
- Glyphosate
-- in or on cotton, gin byproducts; and cotton, undelinted seed (tolerance
granted November 10)
- Hexythiazox
-- in or on field corn grain, stover, and fodder (time-limited tolerance
November 10, 2004, through December 31, 2007)
- Various
pesticides -- emergency exemptions, agency decisions, and state
and federal agency crisis declarations (summary of actions from April
1, 2004 to June 30, 2004)
Back to the top
November 3
EPA
Works To Improve Pollution Detection Methods
EPA is withdrawing its March 2003 proposal to revise detection and quantitation
procedures used in water permitting and monitoring and allowing the existing
1986 procedures to stand. The existing procedures are being left in place
in order for EPA to conduct additional discussions with stakeholders on
remaining technical issues related to quantitation and detection.
Comments
Invited on Risk Assessments for Nitrapyrin
EPA has released human health and environmental fate and effects risk
assessments and related documents for the pesticide nitrapyrin. These
documents have been developed as part of the process for making pesticide
Reregistration Eligibility Decisions (REDs) and tolerance reassessments
for nitrapyrin. There will be a 60-day public comment period. Comments,
identified by docket identification (ID) number OPP-2004-0283, must be
received on or before January 3, 2005.
November 2
Office
of Water Requests Proposals Supporting Biological Criteria Program
EPA Office of Water's Biological Criteria Program has announced the availability
of funds and has requested proposals for research to support the development
and implementation of biological assessments and criteria. State water
pollution control agencies, federally recognized Indian tribal governments,
institutions of higher education, interstate agencies, and other public
or nonprofit private agencies, institutions, organizations, and individuals
are eligible to apply. EPA will accept proposals until January 1, 2005.
November 1
EPA
Releases Final Science Review Document on Clean Air Standards for Particulate
Matter
EPA has released the final scientific assessment document on airborne
particulate matter, entitled Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter.
Particulate matter (PM) is one of six principal or criteria pollutants
for which EPA has established National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
under the Clean Air Act. In accordance with the requirements of the CAA,
EPA periodically reviews the scientific basis for these standards. This
document provides significant new information for the technical and policy
assessments of EPA’s review of the standards. It includes an analysis
of a large amount of new scientific literature generated since the NAAQS
for PM were revised in 1997. This final assessment document has been subjected
to expert scientific peer review by the Clean Air Scientific Advisory
Committee, a review committee mandated by the Clean Air Act and part of
the EPA’s Science Advisory Board.
Pesticide
Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates
- BAS
320 I -- application for registration of pesticide products containing
a new active ingredient not included in any previously registered product
(November 3)
- Pyraclostrobin
-- tolerance granted for various commodities (October 29)
- QST
2808, bacillus pumilus strain -- exemption from the requirement
of a tolerance in or on food commodities when applied/used in accordance
with label directions (November 3)
- Thifensulfuron-methyl
-- reinstating corn tolerances (effective November 3)
Back to the top
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 Now 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.
- November
30 - December 1 -- to consider and review dimethoate issues related
to hazard and dose response assessment
- December
2 -- to consider and review the use of pharmacokinetic data to refine
carbaryl risk estimates from oral and dermal exposure
- December
3 -- to consider and review the N-methyl carbamate risk assessment
strategies, and methodologies for exposure assessment.
Pesticide
Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates
Back to the top
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
- California
Red Scale Technical Pheromone and Red Scale Down -- approval of
registration application for pesticide products containing an active
ingredient not included in any previously registered product (October
13)
- Cyprodinil
-- in or on almond, hulls; bean, dry; bean, succulent; and leafy greens
subgroup 4A, except spinach (tolerance granted October 20)
- Termination
of pesticide-producing establishments -- for failure to file annual
pesticide production reports (October 20)
- Various
-- report of notices and applications received from September
13, 2004, to October 1, 2004, concerning intent to manufacture new chemicals
(October 19)
Back to the top
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
- Mepanipyrim
-- in or on grape; grape, raisin; strawberry; and tomato (tolerance
granted October 13)
- Update
of generic pesticide chemical tolerance regulations -- update to
the generic provisions in 40 CFR parts 9, 23, 163, 177-180 pertaining
to pesticide chemical tolerances and exemptions from the requirement
of a tolerance under section 408 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act.
Back to the top
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.
Back to the top
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