We've selected these news releases, reports, and other documents from around EPA because they are of interest or direct importance to the environmental management or compliance efforts of the agricultural community.

December 26, 2017

Denial of Petition To List Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations Under Clean Air Act
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is providing notice that it has responded to a petition for rulemaking titled “Petition To List Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations under Clean Air Act Section 111(b)(1)(A) of the Clean Air Act, and To Promulgate Standards of Performance Under Clean Air Act Sections 111(b)(1)(B) and 111(d).”

December 21, 2017

EPA Announces Opportunity to Nominate Additional Experts to Serve as Ad Hoc Members for the FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel Reviewing Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Modeling
On December 18, 2017, the Agency published a Federal Register notice to announce the opportunity to provide additional nominations for experts to serve as ad hoc members for the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel (FIFRA SAP) reviewing PBPK modeling to address pharmacokinetic differences between and within species on six selected pesticidal active ingredients. The public can provide nominations until January 17, 2018. Nominations can be provided by following the instructions in the Federal Register announcement (EPA-HQ-OPP-2017-0180) or by forwarding the nomination to the Designated Federal Official listed below.

Pesticides; Agricultural Worker Protection Standard; Reconsideration of Several Requirements and Notice About Compliance Dates
EPA is providing notice to the public that it has initiated a rulemaking process to revise certain requirements in the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard. EPA expects to publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in FY 2018 to solicit public input on proposed revisions to the WPS requirements for minimum age, designated representative, and application exclusion zone.

December 19, 2017

Pesticides; Certification of Pesticide Applicators Rule; Reconsideration of the Minimum Age Requirements
EPA is providing notice to the public that it has initiated a rulemaking process to revise the minimum age requirements in the Certification of Pesticide Applicators rule. EPA expects to publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in FY 2018 to solicit public input on these proposed revisions to the rule.

EPA Settlement with FMC Corp. Enforces Federal Pesticide Safety Protections
FMC Corporation has agreed to pay a $1 million penalty to settle alleged violations of federal pesticide regulations, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today.

December 18, 2017

EPA Releases Draft Risk Assessments for Glyphosate
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is releasing for public comment the draft human health and ecological risk assessments for glyphosate, one of the most widely used agricultural pesticides in the United States.

December 15, 2017

EPA Releases Neonicotinoid Assessments for Public Comment
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is releasing preliminary ecological and human health risk assessments for these neonicotinoid insecticides -- clothianidin, thiamethoxam, and dinotefuran -- and a preliminary ecological risk assessment for imidacloprid, assessing risks to birds, mammals, non-target insects, and plants.   

December 14, 2017

EPA Initiates Rulemaking to Revise Certain Aspects of the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) and the Certification and Training (C&T) Rule; Implementation Dates for WPS and C&T Remain In Effect
EPA has initiated a process to revise certain requirements in the WPS and the minimum age requirements in the C&T rule. By the end of FY2018, EPA expects to publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to solicit public input on these proposed revisions.

December 11, 2017

Northern California Fires Response Update – December 11, 2017
As part of the multi-agency response to the recent fires in Northern California, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has completed asbestos removals at 131 properties in Sonoma, Napa, Lake and Mendocino counties. EPA has also completed household hazardous waste (HHW) removals at 6,551 properties in Sonoma and Napa counties. Household hazardous waste includes leftover household products that can catch fire, react, or explode under certain circumstances, or that are corrosive or toxic. Products such as paints, cleaners, solvents, oils, batteries, herbicides and pesticides can contain hazardous ingredients and require special handling and disposal.

December 8, 2017

Notice to Certain Pesticides Data Submitters on Disclosure of Documents in Support of Litigation
EPA is notifying affected businesses that EPA is disclosing documents regarding the pesticides dicamba, 2,4-D, and glyphosate to the court and the parties as part of the Administrative Record in the matter of National Family Farm Coalition, et al. v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Scott Pruitt, Case No. 17-70196 (9th Cir.) (the “Dicamba Litigation”), and in the consolidated matters of National Family Farm Coalition, et al. v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Scott Pruitt, Case No. 17-70810 (9th Cir.) and Natural Resources Defense Council v. Scott Pruitt and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Case No. 17-70817 (9th Cir.) (the “Enlist Duo Litigation”). The documents were submitted to EPA by pesticide registrants or other data-submitters and may contain confidential business information (“CBI”) or may be subject to various release restrictions under federal law.

December 5, 2017

EPA awards $302k to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, supporting statewide pesticide programs
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $302,000 to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) to support its pesticide regulatory programs across the state.

EPA awards $574k to Washington State Department of Agriculture supporting statewide pesticide programs
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $574,000 to the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) to support its pesticide regulatory programs across the state.

December 1, 2017

EPA Administrator Pruitt Makes Stops in Iowa
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt visited Iowa and met with the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives (IAEC), state officials, and farmers to discuss ongoing partnerships with the Agency.

December 2017 Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

• Registration Review; Biopesticide Dockets Opened for Review and Comment -- EPA is opening the public comment period for several 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, that is, the pesticide can perform its intended function without unreasonable adverse effects on human health or the environment. Comments must be received on or before February 26, 2018 (December 26)
• Product Cancellation Order for Certain Pesticide Registrations and Amendments To Terminate Uses -- announces EPA's order for the cancellations and amendments to terminate uses, voluntarily requested by the registrants and accepted by the Agency (December 26)
• Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Applications for New Active Ingredients -- EPA has received applications to register pesticide products containing active ingredients not included in any currently registered pesticide products. Pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is hereby providing notice of receipt and opportunity to comment on these applications. Comments must be received on or before January 25, 2018 (December 26)
• Alpha-cypermethrin; Proposed Pesticide Tolerance -- proposes to amend existing tolerances for residues of alpha-cypermethrin in or on fruit, citrus, group 10-10 and hog fat under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) (December 26)
• 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, dodecyl ester, polymer with 1-ethenyl-2-pyrrolidinone and a-(2-methyl-1-oxo-2-propen-1-yl)-w-methoxypoly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl); Tolerance Exemption -- establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of 2-propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, dodecyl ester, polymer with 1-ethenyl-2-pyrrolidinone and a-(2-methyl-1-oxo-2-propen-1-yl)-w-methoxypoly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl); when used as an inert ingredient in a pesticide chemical formulation (December 26)
• Receipt of a Pesticide Petition Filed for Residues of Aluminum tris (O-ethylphosphonate) In or On Fruit, Citrus, Group 10-10 -- announces the Agency's receipt of an initial filing of a pesticide petition requesting the modification of regulations for residues of pesticide chemicals in or on various commodities. Comments must be received on or before January 18, 2018 (December 19)
• Amine Salt of Styrene Acrylic Polymer, Ammonium Salt; Tolerance Exemption -- establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of amines, coco alkyl, ethoxylated, compds. with acrylic acid-Bu acrylate-methylstyrene-styrene polymer, ammonium salts also known as amine salt of styrene acrylic polymer, ammonium salt when used as an inert ingredient in a pesticide chemical formulation (December 19)
• Registration Review Proposed Interim Decisions for Several Pesticides; Notice of Availability -- announces the availability of EPA's proposed interim registration review decisions and opens a 60-day public comment period on the proposed interim decisions for the following pesticides: Cloransulam-methyl, cymoxanil, cyprodinil, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether (DGME), dimethomorph, fomesafen, kresoxim-methyl, metalaxyl & mefenoxam, and the mineral acids (December 15)
• Registration Review; Draft Human Health and/or Ecological Risk Assessments for Several Pesticides; Notice of Availability -- announces the availability of EPA's draft human health and ecological risk assessments for the registration review of abamectin, buprofezin, chlorpropham, emamectin benzoate, fludioxonil, fluopicolide, fluridone, methiocarb, norflurazon, oryzalin, PBO (piperonyl buotoxide), pyriproxyfen, and quinoxyfen. This notice also announces the availability of EPA's draft human health risk assessments for the registration review of 2,4-D, bifenthrin, and cyfluthrins. Comments must be received on or before February 13, 2018 (December 15)
• Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Applications for New Uses -- EPA has received applications to register new uses for pesticide products containing currently registered active ingredients. Pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is hereby providing notice of receipt and opportunity to comment on these applications. Comments must be received on or before January 16, 2018 (December 15)
• Product Cancellation Order for Certain Pesticide Registrations -- announces EPA's order for the cancellations, voluntarily requested by the registrants and accepted by the Agency, of the products listed in Table 1 of Unit II, pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (December 15)
• Receipt of Several Pesticide Petitions Filed for Residues of Pesticide Chemicals in or on Various Commodities -- announces the Agency's receipt of several initial filings of pesticide petitions requesting the establishment or modification of regulations for residues of pesticide chemicals in or on various commodities. Comments must be received on or before January 16, 2018 (December 15)
• Interim Registration Review Decisions and Case Closures for Several Pesticides; Notice of Availability -- announces the availability of EPA's interim registration review decision for the chemicals listed in the Table in Unit II of this Notice. It also announces the case closure for metiram because all of the U.S. registrations for this pesticide have been canceled (December 15)
• Pesticide Emergency Exemptions; Agency Decisions and State and Federal Agency Crisis Declarations -- EPA has granted or denied emergency exemptions under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) for use of pesticides as listed in this notice. The exemptions or denials were granted during the period July 1, 2017 to September 30, 2017 to control unforeseen pest outbreaks (December 8)
• Bacillus subtilis Strain BU1814; Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance -- establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of Bacillus subtilis strain BU1814 in or on all food commodities when used in accordance with label directions and good agricultural practices (December 8)
• Sedaxane; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of sedaxane in or on grain, cereal, forage, fodder and straw, group 16; grain, cereal, group 15; peanut; and peanut, hay (December 8)
• Indoxacarb; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of indoxacarb in or on corn, field, forage; corn, field, stover; corn, field, grain (December 8)
• Ziram; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes a tolerance for residues of ziram in or on hazelnut (December 8)
• Information Collection Request Submitted to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Continuous Release Reporting Requirements; Reporting Air Releases of Hazardous Substances From Animal Wastes at Farms Under CERCLA Section 103 -- The Environmental Protection Agency has submitted an information collection request (ICR), “Continuous Release Reporting Requirements; Reporting Air Releases of Hazardous Substances From Animal Wastes at Farms Under CERCLA Section 103” (December 5)
• 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin; Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance -- establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin in or on food when used in antimicrobial pesticide formulations applied to food contact surfaces in public eating places, dairy processing equipment, and/or food processing equipment and utensils. In addition, this regulation establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin when used as an antimicrobial pesticide treatment solution (December 5)
• Extension of Tolerances for Emergency Exemptions (Multiple Chemicals) -- extends time-limited tolerances for the pesticides listed in this document. These actions are in response to EPA's granting of emergency exemptions under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) authorizing use of these pesticides. In addition, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) requires EPA to establish a time-limited tolerance or exemption from the requirement for a tolerance for pesticide chemical residues in food that will result from the use of a pesticide under an emergency exemption granted by EPA (December 4)
• Prometryn; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of prometryn in or on multiple commodities which are identified and discussed later in this document (December 4)
• Quinclorac; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of quinclorac in or on the bushberry subgroup 13-07B, the caneberry subgroup 13-07A, and asparagus (December 4)
• Ethofumesate; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of ethofumesate in or on beet, sugar, molasses and beet, sugar, roots. In addition, this regulation eliminates tolerances for residues of ethofumesate that are superseded by the tolerances established by this final rule (December 4)
• Bacillus thuringiensis Cry14Ab-1 Protein in or on Soybean; Temporary Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance -- establishes a temporary exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of the Bacillus thuringiensis Cry14Ab-1 protein in or on soybean, when used as a plant-incorporated protectant (PIP) in soybean plants, in accordance with the terms of Experimental Use Permit (EUP) No. 264-EUP-151 (December 4)
• Pseudomonas fluorescens 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD-4); Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance -- establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of the HPPD-4 protein derived from the 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase enzyme of Pseudomonas fluorescens in or on all food commodities, when used as a plant-incorporated protectant inert ingredient (December 4)  
• Receipt of a Pesticide Petition Filed for α-Methyl Mannoside for Residues of Pesticide Chemicals in or on Various Commodities -- announces EPA's receipt of an initial filing of a pesticide petition requesting the establishment or modification of regulations for residues of pesticide chemicals in or on various commodities. Comments must be received on or before January 3, 2018 (December 4)

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November 30, 2017

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Wins Third-Place Gulf Guardian Award
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Gulf of Mexico Program recently announced the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service won a third-place 2017 Gulf Guardian Award in the Partnerships Category. The service is recognized for restoring coastal prairie wetland habitat.

Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System Wins Second-Place Gulf Guardian Award
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Gulf of Mexico Program recently announced the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System will receive a second place 2017 Gulf Guardian Award in the Partnerships Category. The organization is recognized for encouraging and developing citizen science to improve the Gulf.

Booyah Clean, LLC. Receives First-Place Gulf Guardian Award
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Gulf of Mexico Program recently announced Booyah Clean, LLC., won the 2017 Gulf Guardian Award in the Business & Industry Category.

EPA Administrator Pruitt Visits Kentucky
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt visited Kentucky to address members of the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation and meet with Governor Matt Bevin and members of his cabinet to discuss ways to strengthen the Agency’s partnership with the state.

November 28, 2017

DC Circuit Court Grants Trump EPA Request to Extend Deadline for Farmers to Report Emissions from Livestock Operations
On Wednesday, November 22, 2017, in response to a request from the Trump administration EPA, the DC Circuit Court of Appeals effectively extended the deadline for farmers to report air releases of hazardous substances from animal waste at livestock operations until January 22, 2018.  The decision postponed the effective date of the Court’s April 2017 decision vacating an EPA rule that exempted these farms from certain statutory reporting obligations.

November 20, 2017

Terminix Companies Sentenced for Applying Restricted-Use Pesticide to Residences in the U.S. Virgin Islands
Terminix International Company LP (TERMINIX LP) and U.S. Virgin Islands operation Terminix International USVI LLC (TERMINIX, USVI) were sentenced today for violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act in the U.S. Virgin Islands, announced the Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency.

EPA Awards Nearly $4.4 Million to Restore Lake Champlain and Protect Against Harmful Algal Blooms
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $4,395,000 in Lake Champlain restoration funding to help address outbreaks of harmful algal blooms and the spread of invasive species in Lake Champlain.

November 16, 2017

EPA and the Army Propose to Amend the Effective Date of the 2015 Rule Defining “Waters of the United States”
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of the Army (the agencies) are proposing to amend the effective date of the 2015 rule defining “waters of the United States.”  The agencies are proposing that the 2015 rule would not go into effect until two years after today’s action is finalized and published in the Federal Register. This amendment would give the agencies the time needed to reconsider the definition of “waters of the United States.”

November 8, 2017

EPA awards over $4.5 million to Ohio for water quality protection
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency  has awarded $4,556,900 to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to improve the health of Ohio’s rivers and streams. The funding is awarded under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, which authorizes EPA to provide grant money to states to implement nonpoint pollution control programs.

EPA Recognizes New Haven Public Service District for Excellence and Innovation in Clean Water Infrastructure
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today it has recognized the New Haven Public Service District for its Tank Gravity Septic System in Winona, West Virginia which received Honorable Mention for excellence and innovation within the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program.  EPA’s Performance and Innovation in the SRF Creating Environmental Success (PISCES) program celebrates innovation demonstrated by CWSRF programs and assistance recipients.

EPA Recognizes Waynesboro, Virginia for Excellence and Innovation in Clean Water Infrastructure
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today it has recognized Waynesboro, Virginia, for excellence and innovation for stormwater retention within the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program.  EPA’s Performance and Innovation in the SRF Creating Environmental Success (PISCES) program celebrates innovation demonstrated by CWSRF programs and assistance recipients.

November 7, 2017

EPA Registers the Wolbachia ZAP Strain in Live Male Asian Tiger Mosquitoes -- On November 3, 2017, EPA registered a new mosquito biopesticide – ZAP Males® - that can reduce local populations of the type of mosquito (Aedes albopictus, or Asian Tiger Mosquitoes) that can spread numerous diseases of significant human health concern, including the Zika virus. -- 

November 2, 2017

EPA Provides $600,000 for Protecting Maryland Coastal Bays
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced it has awarded $600,000 to the Maryland Coastal Bays Program to preserve the economic and ecological vitality of this vast coastal watershed.

EPA News Advisory: Northern California Fires Response Update – November 2, 2017
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has collected more than 8,300 containers of household hazardous waste in Napa and Sonoma counties as part of the multi-agency response to the Northern California fires. The items, which range in size from small paint canisters to large chemical drums, have been transported to EPA staging areas in Windsor and Yountville before disposal at hazardous waste facilities.

November 1, 2017

New Haven Conn. Group Awarded EPA Grant to Help Air and Water Issues
A Connecticut organization working to address water and air pollution issues in New Haven was one of three groups in New England to receive an EPA grant award of $30,000 each, to help communities directly address local environmental concerns.

EPA Takes Action to Protect Health Care Facilities from Unregistered and Mislabeled Antimicrobial Pesticides
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that it reached an agreement with Pharmaceutical Innovations of Newark, New Jersey resolving alleged violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The EPA had alleged that Pharmaceutical Innovations sold and distributed the unregistered and misbranded antimicrobial pesticides “PI Spray” and “PI Spray 2.”

November 2017 Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

• Boscalid; Pesticide Tolerance -- establishes a tolerance for residues of boscalid in or on vegetable, legume, edible-podded subgroup 6A (November 30)
• Nitrapyrin; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of nitrapyrin in or on almond hulls and the tree nut group 14-12 (November 30)
• Pesticide Emergency Exemptions; Agency Decisions and State and Federal Agency Crisis Declarations -- EPA has granted or denied emergency exemptions under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) for use of pesticides as listed in this notice. The exemptions or denials were granted during the period April 1, 2017 to June 30, 2017 to control unforeseen pest outbreaks (November 30)
• Polyethyleneimine; Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance -- establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of polyethyleneimine when used as an inert ingredient in a pesticide chemical formulation on growing crops and raw agricultural commodities after harvest (November 28)
• Receipt of Several Pesticide Petitions Filed for Residues of Pesticide Chemicals in or on Various Commodities -- This document announces the Agency's receipt of several initial filings of pesticide petitions requesting the establishment or modification of regulations for residues of pesticide chemicals in or on various commodities. Comments must be received on or before December 27, 2017 (November 27)
• Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Applications for New Active Ingredients -- EPA has received applications to register pesticide products containing active ingredients not included in any currently registered pesticide products. Pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is hereby providing notice of receipt and opportunity to comment on these applications. Comments must be received on or before December 27, 2017 (November 27)
• Tebufenozide; Pesticide Tolerance Actions -- EPA is establishing tolerances for residues of tebufenozide in or on multiple commodities, which are identified and discussed later in this document. In addition, EPA is correcting commodity definitions, updating crop group tolerances, and harmonizing U.S. tolerances with Codex. EPA is also removing tolerances for residues of tebufenozide that are no longer needed due to the changes listed. EPA is also amending the existing tolerance for almond, hulls under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) (November 16)
• Benzovindiflupyr; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of benzovindiflupyr in or on the bulb onion subgroup 3-07A, the green onion subgroup 3-07B, and increases an existing tolerance on sugarcane (November 14)
• Formaldehyde, Polymer With 1,3-Benzenediol, 2-Methyloxirane and Oxirane, Ethers With Polyethylene Glycol Mono-Me Ether; Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance -- establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of formaldehyde, polymer with 1,3-benzenediol, 2-methyloxirane and oxirane, ethers with polyethylene glycol mono-Me ether when used as an inert ingredient in a pesticide chemical formulation (November 6)
• Formaldehyde, Polymer With 1,3-Benzenediol, Ethers With Polyethylene Glycol Mono-Me Ether; Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance -- establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of formaldehyde, polymer with 1,3-benzenediol, ethers with polyethylene glycol mono-Me ether when used as an inert ingredient in a pesticide chemical formulation (November 6)
• FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel; Notice of Public Meeting for the Clarification of Charge Questions on Alternate High-Throughput Screens To Determine Endocrine Disruption -- There will be a three-hour meeting of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, Scientific Advisory Panel (FIFRA SAP) to review and consider the scope and clarity of the draft charge questions for the November 28-30, 2017 SAP Meeting on the Continuing Development of Alternative High-Throughput Screens to Determine Endocrine Disruption, Focusing on Androgen Receptor, Steroidogenesis, and Thyroid Pathways. The meeting will be held on Monday, November 6, 2017 from approximately 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (EST) (November 1)

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October 31, 2017

EPA Announces $4.59 Million for Environmental Improvements on Tribal Lands in Nevada
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $4.59 million in funding to 15 Nevada tribes to invest in environmental programs, drinking water, wastewater systems, water pollution reduction and wetland protection.

EPA Recognizes Excellence and Innovation in Clean Water Infrastructure
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized 28 clean water infrastructure projects for excellence and innovation within the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program.  Honored projects include large wastewater infrastructure projects to small decentralized and agriculture projects.

EPA awards Environmental Justice Small Grants to local communities in Georgia
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will award Environmental Justice Small Grants to the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Inc. and Trees Atlanta Inc. in Atlanta and the Cook County Family Connection, Inc. (CCFC) in Sparks. EPA’s Environmental Justice Small Grants program provides funding for non-profit and tribal organizations to partner with stakeholders in industry, government, and academia.

EPA Awards Kansas City Community Gardens $30,000 for Growing Sustainable Neighborhoods
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 has awarded $30,000 to Kansas City Community Gardens to repurpose vacant lands and improve soil quality, provide a sustainable alternative to large-scale food production, and reduce the use of toxic pesticides in local food as part of a pilot program.

EPA awards grants to local communities in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will award Environmental Justice Small Grants to Near Northwest Neighborhood, Inc. in South Bend, Ind., Refugee Development Center in Lansing, Mich., Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership in Warren, Ohio, and Midwest Environmental Justice Organization in Madison, Wisc. EPA’s Environmental Justice Small Grants program provides funding of up to $30,000 per year for non-profit and tribal organizations to partner with stakeholders in industry, government, and academia to help communities understand and address exposure to environmental harms and risks.

October 26, 2017

EPA Releases Guidance on Reporting Air Emissions of Hazardous Substances from Animal Waste at Farms
EPA is releasing guidance to assist farmers in reporting air releases of hazardous substances from animal waste at farms.  EPA is making this information available to provide time for farmers to review and prepare for the reporting deadline, currently set for November 15, 2017.

October 25, 2017

FDA, USDA, and EPA to Hold Public Sessions on Agricultural Biotechnology
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in coordination with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs will be holding two public meetings to discuss FDA’s Agricultural Biotechnology Education and Outreach Initiative. This initiative calls for FDA to work with EPA and USDA to provide education and outreach to the public on agricultural biotechnology and food and animal feed ingredients derived from biotechnology. The purpose of the meetings is to provide the public an opportunity to share information, experiences, and suggestions to help inform the development of this education and outreach initiative.

November 6, 2017, Virtual Meeting on the Charge Questions for the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel (FIFRA SAP) Meeting on Endocrine Disruption
EPA will hold a virtual FIFRA SAP meeting on the charge questions on the “Continuing Development of Alternative High-Throughput Screens to Determine Endocrine Disruption, focusing on Androgen Receptor, Steroidogenesis, and Thyroid Pathways.” This virtual meeting will be held on November 6, 2017, from approximately 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. via Adobe Connect.

October 24, 2017

Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee Meeting November 1-2, 2017
EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs will hold a public meeting of the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC) on Wednesday, November 1, 2017, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Thursday, November 2, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Please note the November 2 start time of 8:30 a.m. is half-hour earlier than stated in the Federal Register Notice. The meeting will be held in EPA’s first floor conference center at One Potomac Yard South, 2777 South Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202.

October 23, 2017

Administrator Pruitt Visits Agriculture Leaders in Tennessee
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt brought his state action tour to Tennessee in an effort to continue meeting with key stakeholders surrounding the Agency’s recent decision to begin the process of rescinding the “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule.

October 19, 2017

EPA Helps Communities Grow Local Food Economy, Spur Revitalization
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a new toolkit to help communities interested in using local foods to support downtown and neighborhood revitalization.  The Local Foods, Local Places toolkit includes step-by-step instructions for community-led workshops that allow local officials, community groups, businesses and citizens to explore the benefits of using farmers markets, community kitchens and other food-related enterprises to revitalize communities and develop action plans for pursuing those goals.

October 17, 2017

New EPA Quick Guide for Registering Disinfectant Products for Drinking Water Use
EPA developed this Quick Guide for Disinfectant Products for Drinking Water Use in response to requests to help prospective pesticide registrants gain a basic understanding of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) product registration process and how it relates to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requirements. We have used a graphic to help show the jurisdictional authorities of the two statutes and general steps to take under both laws.

October 13, 2017

EPA and States' Collective Efforts Lead to Regulatory Action on Dicamba
EPA has reached an agreement with Monsanto, BASF and DuPont on measures to further minimize the potential for drift to damage neighboring crops from the use of dicamba formulations used to control weeds in genetically modified cotton and soybeans. New requirements for the use of dicamba "over the top" (application to growing plants) will allow farmers to make informed choices for seed purchases for the 2018 growing season.

EPA News Advisory: Northern California Wildfire Response Update - 10/13/17
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is providing support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and its state and local partners in the ongoing joint response to multiple wildfires in Northern California. Multiple wildfires began burning on October 8 in Napa and Sonoma Counties. Mandatory evacuations are currently underway. EPA is coordinating with federal, state and local agencies, including FEMA and the California Environmental Protection Agency, on response operations.

October 12, 2017

Science Advisory Panel Meeting on PBPK Modeling Postponed
EPA is postponing the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) meeting scheduled for October 24-27, 2017 due to the unavailability of experts for the peer review panel. Given the importance of physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling in the review of the six chemical risk assessments being considered, the Agency believes that additional expertise in modeling and human health risk assessment will benefit the panel. The postponement will also allow for a more robust review of these data. The SAP meeting on PBPK modeling will be postponed to 2018. The Agency will issue another announcement once the new date for the SAP meeting on PBPK modeling has been determined.

October 11, 2017

Upcoming Environmental Modeling Public Meeting on Assessing Exposure and Risk to Pollinators & Plants
On October 18, 2017, EPA will hold an Environmental Modeling Public Meeting. This meeting provides a public forum for EPA and its stakeholders to discuss current issues related to modeling pesticide fate, transport, and exposure for pesticide risk assessments in a regulatory context. The focus of this meeting will be on “assessing exposure and risk to pollinators and plants,” and also includes additional modeling and exposure related presentations.

October 10, 2017

EPA provides $550,000 to Lorain County, Ohio, for water quality projects
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced an award of $550,000 to the Lorain County Board of Commissioners for projects that will improve water quality in the Black River Area of Concern on Lake Erie. The Black River AOC is on the binational list of toxic hotspots that have been targeted for cleanup under the U.S.-Canadian Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. The funding is a supplemental award to an existing grant of $600,000, increasing the total amount to just over $1 million.

October 4, 2017

FDA Issues Final Guidance Clarifying FDA and EPA Jurisdiction over Mosquito-Related Products
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized guidance to provide information on FDA and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) jurisdiction over the regulation of mosquito-related products intended to function as pesticides, including those produced through the use of biotechnology.

October 3, 2017

EPA Launches Smart Sectors Program
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt announced the launch of Smart Sectors, a partnership program between the Agency and regulated sectors focused on achieving better environmental outcomes. A sector-based, collaborative approach provides a significant opportunity for EPA to consider more forward-thinking ways to protect the environment.

October 2017 Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

• Hexythiazox; Pesticide Tolerances -- amends an existing tolerance for residues of the ovicide/miticide hexythiazox in/on hop, dried cones, by increasing the current tolerance from 2.0 parts per million (ppm) to 20 ppm. This regulation is effective October 30, 2017. Objections and requests for hearings must be received on or before December 29, 2017, and must be filed in accordance with the instructions provided in 40 CFR part 178 (October 30)
• Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Applications for New Uses -- EPA has received applications to register new uses for pesticide products containing currently registered active ingredients. Pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is hereby providing notice of receipt and opportunity to comment on these applications. Comments must be received on or before November 27, 2017 (October 27)
• Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Strain F727; Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance -- announces the Agency's receipt of several initial filings of pesticide petitions requesting the establishment or modification of regulations for residues of pesticide chemicals in or on various commodities. Comments must be received on or before November 22, 2017 (October 27)
• Receipt of Several Pesticide Petitions Filed for Residues of Pesticide Chemicals in or on Various Commodities -- announces the Agency's receipt of several initial filings of pesticide petitions requesting the establishment or modification of regulations for residues of pesticide chemicals in or on various commodities. Comments must be received on or before November 22, 2017 (October 23)
• Triflumezopyrim; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of triflumezopyrim in or on rice, grain and rice, hulls (October 16)
• Fenpicoxamid; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of fenpicoxamid (XDE 777) in or on banana, rye, and wheat (October 16)
• Disapproval of Pesticide Product Registrations for Special Local Needs -- As provided under Section 24(c) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), State-designated lead agencies may register pesticides, within their respective States, to meet special local needs. EPA's regulations require the State lead agencies to notify EPA of such special local need registrations. EPA may disapprove any such State registration. EPA's regulations require that notice of these actions be published in the Federal Register; this notice identifies special local need registrations which were disapproved by EPA on July 3, 2017 (October 13)
• Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee; Notice of Public Meeting -- Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Office of Pesticide Programs is announcing a public meeting of the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC) on November 1-2, 2017 (October 13)
• Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Applications for New Active Ingredients -- EPA has received applications to register pesticide products containing active ingredients not included in any currently registered pesticide products. Pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is hereby providing notice of receipt and opportunity to comment on these applications. Comments must be received on or before November 13, 2017 (October 12)
• Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee; Notice of Charter Renewal -- Notice is hereby given that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC) is in the public interest and is necessary in connection with the performance of EPA's duties. Accordingly, PPDC will be renewed for an additional two-year period (October 12)
• Receipt of a Pesticide Petition Filed for Residues of Pesticide Chemicals in or on Various Commodities -- announces the Agency's receipt of an initial filing of a pesticide petition requesting the establishment or modification of regulations for residues of pesticide chemicals in or on various commodities. Comments must be received on or before November 13, 2017 (October 12)
• Tetrachlorvinphos; Notice of Receipt of Request To Voluntarily Cancel Certain Pesticide Registrations -- In accordance with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is issuing a notice of receipt of a request by the registrant to voluntarily cancel their registrations of certain products containing the pesticide tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP). The request would not terminate the last TCVP products registered for use in the United States. EPA intends to grant this request at the close of the comment period for this announcement unless the Agency receives substantive comments within the comment period that would merit its further review of the request, or unless the registrant withdraws its request. If this request is granted, any sale, distribution, or use of products listed in this notice will be permitted after the registration has been cancelled only if such sale, distribution, or use is consistent with the terms as described in the final order (October 10)
• Tolfenpyrad; Pesticide Tolerances for Emergency Exemptions -- establishes time-limited tolerances for residues of tolfenpyrad in or on dry bulb onion and watermelon. This action is in response to EPA's granting of emergency exemptions under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) authorizing use of the pesticide on dry bulb onion and watermelon. This regulation establishes maximum permissible levels for residues of tolfenpyrad in or on these commodities. The time-limited tolerances expire on December 31, 2020 (October 10)
• Florpyrauxifen-Benzyl; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of florpyrauxifen-benzyl in or on rice grain, freshwater fish, shellfish crustacean, and mollusk (October 6)
• Pesticides; Draft Guidance for Pesticide Registrants on Notifications, Non-Notifications and Minor Formulation Amendments; Extension of Comment Period -- EPA issued a notice in the Federal Register of September 6, 2017, announcing the availability of and seeking public comment on a draft Pesticide Registration Notice (PR Notice) entitled “Pesticide Registration (PR) Notice 2017-XX: Notifications, Non-notifications and Minor Formulation Amendments.'” This document extends the comment period for 60 days, from October 6, 2017 to December 5, 2017 to allow stakeholders additional time to submit comments on the proposed guidance (October 5)
• Notice of Receipt of Requests To Voluntarily Cancel Certain Pesticide Registrations and Amend Registrations To Terminate Certain Uses-30-Day Comment Period -- In accordance with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is issuing a notice of receipt of requests by pesticide registrants to voluntarily cancel certain pesticide product registrations and to amend certain product registrations to terminate uses (October 3)
• Notice of Receipt of Requests to Voluntarily Cancel Certain Pesticide Registrations and Amend Registrations to Terminate Certain Uses-180-Day Comment Period -- In accordance with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is issuing a notice of receipt of requests by the registrants to voluntarily cancel their registrations and to amend their product registrations to terminate uses (October 3)
• Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Applications for New Uses -- EPA has received applications to register new uses for pesticide products containing currently registered active ingredients (October 3)
• Fluoxastrobin; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of fluoxastrobin in or on multiple commodities (October 2)

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September 29, 2017

Methods and Guidance for Testing the Efficacy of Antimicrobials against Spores of Clostridium difficile
EPA is announcing the availability of test methods for evaluating the efficacy of antimicrobial pesticides against Clostridum difficile as well as regulatory guidance for pesticidal claims for those products. These test methods and guidance provide a framework for registrants who seek to make a claim for antimicrobial pesticide products to control these spores on hard, non-porous surfaces.

September 25, 2017

FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel Meeting October 24-27, 2017
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) will meet October 24-27, 2017 to consider and review physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling to address pharmacokinetic differences between and within species.

EPA Hurricane Irma Recovery Update for Monday September 25
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to coordinate closely with local, state, tribal, and federal partners in response to Hurricane Irma.

September 26, 2017

EPA Provides New Jersey with $16.7 Million to Improve Environmental Programs
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) three grants totaling $16,697,817 million to administer environmental programs, continue water quality management planning, and protect its beaches.

September 22, 2017

EPA Hurricane Maria Update for September 22, 2017
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to coordinate closely with federal, commonwealth, territory and local partners as the Agency responds to the impact of Hurricane Maria. EPA is supporting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through its assistance to the governments of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. EPA is focused on environmental impacts and potential threats to people’s health caused by Hurricane Maria, as well as the safety of those in the affected areas.

EPA Guidance on Managing Pesticide Resistance
EPA has released two Pesticide Registration Notices (PRNs) aimed at combating pesticide resistance.

September 21, 2017

Virtual Meeting on the Charge Questions for the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel (FIFRA SAP) Meeting on Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Modeling
The Agency will soon publish a Federal Register Notice announcing the virtual FIFRA SAP meeting on the charge questions on PBPK at www.regulations.gov. 

September 19, 2017

EPA Assists North Carolina in Preventing Water Pollution
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently awarded $3,766,800 to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality to support management of nonpoint sources of water pollution. The funding will be used for a variety of projects designed to improve water quality in priority watersheds across the state.

Updated Pesticide Label Review Manual Now Available
EPA has updated Chapters 15 and 16 of the Pesticide Label Review Manual (LRM). This manual began as a guide for EPA label reviewers, and now it also serves as a tool to assist EPA's stakeholders in understanding the pesticide labeling process. The LRM is also useful in understanding approaches for how labels should generally be drafted.

September 15, 2017

EPA awards $332,000 to Hawaii Department of Agriculture for pesticide programs
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $332,000 to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) to support its pesticide regulatory program. “The Hawaii Department of Agriculture has been our long-time partner in environmental protection,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “We are pleased to support the pesticide program in ensuring that pesticides are used properly, agricultural workers are protected, and Hawaii’s unique ecosystems can thrive.”

EPA Requests Comment on the Proposed Registration of New Biopesticide to Help Control Spread of Zika and Other Viruses
EPA is proposing to register ZAP Males®, a new microbial biopesticide that reduces local populations of Aedes albopictus (Asian Tiger) mosquitoes, which have the ability to spread numerous diseases of significant human health concern, including the Zika virus.

September 10, 2017

EPA Hurricane Irma Update for Sunday, September 10, 2017
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to coordinate closely with local, state and federal partners as the Agency prepares to respond to the impact of Hurricane Irma. EPA teams are formed and ready to deploy to Florida once the conditions are safe for travel and field work. Agency teams will be deploying out of the Region 4 office in Atlanta and their ability to travel to affected areas may be impacted as the storm continues to move north. The Agency continues to have staff in Tallahassee, Palm Beach County, Broward County and Miami-Dade County to ensure close coordination and direct lines of communication.

September 07, 2017

Updated Guidance for Pesticide Registrants on Procedures for Notifications and Minor Amendments Now Open for Public Comment
On September 6, 2017, EPA issued a Federal Register Notice announcing proposed updates to Pesticide Registration Notice (PRN) 98-10, “Notifications, Non-notifications and Minor Formulation Amendments.” This notice provides guidance to registrants submitting minor modifications to a registration that do not require extensive EPA review and do not have the potential to cause unreasonable adverse effects to the environment. Comments must be received on or before October 6, 2017.

EPA to Hold Five Public Meetings in Idaho Focusing on IDEQ Seeking Water Quality Permitting Program 
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is accepting public comments on the State of Idaho’s application to assume the role of writing, administering and enforcing water quality discharge permits in the state. Until now, the job of writing wastewater and stormwater discharge permits, performing facility inspections and otherwise enforcing the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (part of the federal Clean Water Act) has been the sole responsibility of federal authorities at EPA. The public comment period will close on Wednesday, October 11, 2017.

September 2017 Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

• Phosphoric Acid Manufacturing and Phosphate Fertilizer Production Risk and Technology Review Reconsideration -- finalizes amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for the Phosphoric Acid Manufacturing and Phosphate Fertilizer Production source categories. (September 28)
• Fluazifop-P-Butyl; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of fluazifop-p-butyl in or multiple commodities (September 27)
• Oxathiapiprolin; Pesticide Tolerance -- establishes a tolerance for residues of the fungicide oxathiapiprolin in or on cacao bean, dried bean (September 27)
• FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel; Notice of Public Meeting for the Clarification of Charge Questions on PBPK -- There will be a three-hour meeting of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel (FIFRA SAP) to review and consider the scope and clarity of the draft charge questions for the October 24-27, 2017 SAP Meeting on physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling to address pharmacokinetic differences between and within species. The meeting will be held on October 2, 2017, from approximately 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (EST) (September 25)
• Pesticides; Final Guidance for Pesticide Registrants on Two Pesticide Registration Notices Related to Resistance Management -- announcing the availability of two final Pesticide Registration Notices (PRNs) entitled, “Guidance for Pesticide Registrants on Pesticide Resistance Management Labeling” and “Guidance for Herbicide Resistance Management Labeling, Education, Training, and Stewardship” (September 22)
• Registration Review Proposed Interim Decisions for Several Pesticides; Notice of Availability -- announces the availability of EPA's proposed interim registration review decisions and opens a 60-day public comment period on the proposed interim decisions for the following pesticides: Carfentrazone-ethyl, clodinafop-propargyl, copper compounds, cyclanilide, flumiclorac-pentyl, metaflumizone, nitrapyrin, noviflumuron, pendimethalin, spinetoram, spinosad, and sodium, calcium, and potassium hypochlorites (September 22)
• Interim Registration Review Decision for 22 Sulfonylurea Pesticides; Notice of Availability -- announces the availability of EPA's interim registration review decision for the 22 sulfonylurea herbicide chemicals listed in the Table in Unit II of this Notice (September 20)
• Receipt of Several Pesticide Petitions Filed for Residues of Pesticide Chemicals in or on Various Commodities -- announces the Agency's receipt of several initial filings of pesticide petitions requesting the establishment or modification of regulations for residues of pesticide chemicals in or on various commodities (September 15)
• Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Applications for New Uses -- EPA has received applications to register new uses for pesticide products containing currently registered active ingredients (September 15)
• Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Applications for New Active Ingredients -- EPA has received applications to register pesticide products containing active ingredients not included in any currently registered pesticide products (September 15)
• EPTC; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of EPTC, S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate in or on grass, forage at 0.60 ppm and grass, hay at 0.50 ppm (September 13)
• Product Cancellation Order for Certain Pesticide Registrations; Correction -- EPA issued notices in the Federal Register of June 8, 2016, and July 5, 2017, concerning receipt of requests to voluntarily cancel certain pesticide registrations and its follow-up product cancellation order (September 13)
• Registration Review; Draft Human Health and/or Ecological Risk Assessments for Several Pesticides; Notice of Availability -- announces the availability of EPA's draft human health and/or ecological risk assessments for the registration review of asulam, chloroxylenol, dichlobenil, EPTC, etofenprox, gamma- and lambda-cyhalothrin, imidacloprid, indoxacarb, metribuzin, nitrapyrin, oxamyl, pendimethalin, permethrin, prometryn, pyrethrins, tau-fluvalinate, and trifloxystrobin (September 13)
• Aluminum tris (O-ethylphosphonate), Carbon disulfide, p-Chlorophenoxyacetic acid, Cyromazine, Dichlobenil, et al.; Proposed Tolerance and Tolerance Exemption Actions -- EPA is proposing to revoke certain tolerances for aluminum tris (O-ethylphosphonate), carbon disulfide, cyromazine, dichlobenil, isoxaben, oxydemeton-methyl, propachlor, sulfentrazone, and thiodicarb, and a tolerance exemption for d-limonene. Also, EPA is proposing to modify certain tolerances for aluminum tris (O-ethylphosphonate) and cyromazine, and to establish new tolerances for aluminum tris (O-ethylphosphonate), cyromazine, dichlobenil, isoxaben, and sulfentrazone, and new tolerance exemptions for d-limonene and tartrazine (September 8)
• Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-isooctyl-ω-hydroxy; Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance -- amends an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of [alpha]-alkyl-[omega]-hydroxypoly(oxypropylene) and/or poly (oxyethylene) polymers where the alkyl chain contains a minimum of six carbons, and a minimum number average molecular weight (in amu) 1,100 (herein referred to as “AAAs” (alkyl alcohol alkoxylates)) to include Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), [alpha]-isooctyl-[omega]-hydroxy (CAS Reg. No. 61723-78-2) when used as an inert ingredient (surfactant, related adjuvants of surfactants) in pesticide formulations (September 7)
• Pesticides; Draft Guidance for Pesticide Registrants on Notifications, Non-Notifications and Minor Formulation Amendments -- is announcing the availability of and seeking public comment on a draft Pesticide Registration Notice (PR Notice) entitled “Pesticide Registration (PR) Notice 2017-XX: Notifications, Non-notifications and Minor Formulation Amendments” (September 6)

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August 31, 2017

EPA Awards Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Nearly $2 Million to Protect Water Quality
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $1,987,000 to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality to help protect human health and the environment through a Nonpoint Source Program Clean Water Act (Section 319) cooperative agreement. This grant is given to states to implement environmental programs that address nonpoint source pollution in surface and groundwater in order to meet and maintain water quality standards.

2015 Revisions and Confidentiality Determinations for Data Elements Under the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule 
Table C-1 to Subpart C of Part 98 on page 89252 has been corrected.

August 28, 2017

Pesticide Electronic Application Submission Portal Updated with New Features
EPA is continuing to update the Pesticide Submission Portal, the Web-based system for electronic submission of pesticide registration applications to EPA, with new features and functionality. This action is another step in a phased approach that will ultimately lead to EPA’s ability to accept all pesticide applications electronically, a move that will help modernize the pesticide registration process, increase operational efficiencies and reduce paper waste.

August 25, 2017

EPA and the Army Seek Input in the Review of the Waters of the U.S. Rule
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of the Army (the agencies) will hold 11 sessions to give stakeholders an opportunity to provide recommendations on a revised definition of “waters of the United States.” The agencies will hold nine two-hour long teleconferences that will be tailored for specific sectors, plus one that will be open to the general public. The agencies will also hold one in-person session for small entities.

August 24, 2017

EPA Awards Washington Department of Ecology Just Over $3 Million to Protect Water Quality
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $3,080,000 to the Washington Department of Ecology to help protect human health and the environment through a Nonpoint Source Program Clean Water Act (Section 319) grant. This grant is given to states to implement environmental programs that address nonpoint source pollution in surface and groundwater in order to meet and maintain water quality standards.

August 23, 2017

EPA Releases Update to Popular School Integrated Pest Management Publication
On August 18, 2017, EPA released Pest Control in the School Environment: Implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The publication is an update to its popular 1993 publication, Pest Control in the School Environment: Adopting Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The updated version reflects recent innovations in school IPM, provides links to new information, and has been redesigned into an easily printable format. It provides an overview of IPM and details the steps a school can follow to establish an IPM program.

August 22, 2017

EPA Announces Innovative Research in Upper Willamette
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced research projects addressing priority environmental and human health problems in 20 states through partnerships between EPA’s research office, regional offices, and states. The research announced today is designed to address pressing environmental issues faced by the states. EPA is uniquely equipped to provide scientific expertise to help tackle these problems. The selected projects focus on non-point source nitrogen pollution, volatile organic compound emission detection, harmful algal blooms, roadway air pollution near schools, and other environmental and human health issues across the country. The projects will employ innovative approaches including citizen science, crowdsourcing, a challenge competition, and advanced monitoring technologies.

Tribal Pesticide Program Council Meeting - October 3-4, 2017
The Tribal Pesticide Program Council (TPPC) will meet on October 3-4, 2017, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time in Sloan, Iowa.

Comment Period Open on Ad hoc Candidates for the November 2017 Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel (FIFRA SAP)
A listing of ad hoc candidates, including their biographical sketches, for the November 28-30, 2017 meeting of the FIFRA SAP to consider and review the “Continuing Development of Alternative High-Throughput Screens to Determine Endocrine Disruption, focusing on Androgen Receptor, Steroidogenesis, and Thyroid Pathways,” is now posted at: https://19january2021snapshot.epa.gov/sap. The public comment period on the candidates for the November meeting will be from August 22, 2017 to September 7, 2017.

August 21, 2017

EPA Announces $2.86 Million to Improve Tribal Lands in Arizona
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $2.86 million in funding to nine Arizona tribes for environmental programs including drinking water infrastructure development, hazardous waste cleanups, air pollution control, water quality improvement and wetland protection. Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation received $16,680 to work with University of Arizona researchers to assess water quality, develop sustainable agriculture and enhance emergency preparedness.

News from U.S. EPA: The New York Times on Chlorpyrifos
After a monumental mistake where the New York Times was caught peddling false information, they’re at it again. Last night, the New York Times’ Eric Lipton and Roni Rabin reported on false facts about the EPA’s decision not to ban the pesticide Chlorpyrifos and the decision to continue the review regarding the pesticide. 

August 18, 2017

Logan River watershed receives portion of $1m grant for water quality improvement projects
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $1,004,260 to the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ) to help protect human health and the environment through a Nonpoint Source Program Clean Water Act Section 319 cooperative agreement. This grant is given to states to implement environmental programs that address nonpoint source pollution in surface and groundwater in order to improve and protect water quality. Nonpoint source pollution encompasses a wide range of sources that are not always subject to federal or state regulation. These sources include agricultural runoff, unpermitted urban runoff, abandoned mine drainage, failing onsite disposal systems, and pollution caused by changes to natural stream channels.

EPA Proposes Correction to Rule for Pesticide Product Data Requirements
EPA is announcing in the Federal Register a proposed rule to correct the language describing the "200 ppb level" in 40 CFR 158.2230(d). The proposed rule clarifies that the 200 ppb level does not refer to the amount of pesticide residue that might be present on a single food, which is what the current regulatory text incorrectly implies. Instead, it refers to the total amount of residue of a pesticide that an individual might consume per day.

August 11, 2017

EPA Awards an Additional $768,614 to Iowa to Combat Adverse Pesticide Exposure
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 has awarded an additional $768,614 to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) to administer and enforce the Pesticide Act of Iowa and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act to protect the citizens of Iowa and their environment from the adverse effects of pesticide exposure. The two-year grant is worth a total of $1,597,228.

August 9, 2017

Administrator Pruitt Takes State Action Tour to North Dakota
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt continued his state action tour in North Dakota on Wednesday, visiting his ninth state in four weeks. "As I’ve traveled state-to-state, farmers and landowners have told me firsthand the harmful impacts the 2015 WOTUS rule would have on American agribusinesses," said Administrator Pruitt. "EPA is no longer in the business of advancing unnecessary and burdensome regulations that harm the agriculture industry and do little to help keep water clean."

August 8, 2017

Administrator Pruitt Continues State Action Tour in Iowa
-- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt continued his state action tour in Iowa on Tuesday, visiting his eighth state in four weeks. "Iowa is home to a robust agriculture industry that EPA should not be obstructing with unnecessary and costly regulations that do little to promote environmental stewardship," said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. "By beginning the process to redefine WOTUS, EPA is providing regulatory certainty for farmers, ranchers, and landowners while respecting the traditional oversight role of states to help keep water clean."

August 7, 2017

EPA Announces Ad Hoc Experts for Consideration for the FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel PBPK Meeting, October 24-27, 2017
On June 6, 2017, EPA published a Federal Register Notice (FRL–9962–78) seeking nominees to serve as ad hoc experts for the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel (FIFRA SAP) on Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Modeling at www.regulations.gov (Docket # EPA-HQ-OPP-2017-0180). The meeting was also announced and will be held on October 24-27, 2017 in Arlington, VA, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

August 3, 2017

Pruitt Continues State Action Tour in Colorado
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt continued his state action tour in Colorado today, marking the seventh state visit in three weeks. “There is now hope and optimism for farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses across the country. Two years ago, senior EPA officials with the previous Administration visited Frasier Ranch promising this same audience that agriculture would experience no adverse effects by the 2015 WOTUS rule," said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “Unfortunately, that couldn't have been further from the truth. Today, I returned to the farm to ensure Coloradans regulatory certainty and return traditional oversight back to the states and prioritize keeping Colorado’s water clean.”

August 2, 2017

Pruitt Continues State Action Tour in Indiana
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt continued his state action tour in Indiana today, his sixth state in three weeks. “The agriculture industry should not be burdened with unnecessary government overreach,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “By beginning the process to redefine WOTUS, we are prioritizing clean water across the country, while also respecting states’ traditional regulatory role over their own waters and providing much-needed certainty to farmers and landowners.”

August 1, 2017

August 2017 Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

• Product Cancellation Order To Voluntarily Cancel Certain Pesticide Registrations and Amend Registrations To Terminate Certain Uses -- announces EPA's order for the cancellations and amendments to terminate uses, voluntarily requested by the registrants and accepted by the Agency, of the products listed in Table 1 and Table 2 of Unit II, pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (August 29)
• Product Cancellation Order for Certain Pesticide Registrations -- announces EPA's order for the cancellations, voluntarily requested by the registrants and accepted by the Agency, of the products listed in Table 1 of Unit II., pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (August 21)
• Potassium Salts of Naphthalenesulfonic Acids Formaldehyde Condensates; Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance -- establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of naphthalenesulfonic acids formaldehyde condensates, potassium salts when used as an inert ingredient (surfactant and related adjuvant of surfactants) applied to growing crops and raw agricultural commodities after harvest by amending an existing exemption for similar substances (August 21)
• Pesticides; Technical Amendment to Data Requirements for Antimicrobial Pesticides -- EPA is proposing a correction pertaining to the “200 ppb (parts per billion) level” described in the antimicrobial pesticides data requirements regulation to clarify that the 200 ppb level is based on total estimated daily dietary intake for an individual and not on the amount of residue present on a single food, as is incorrectly implied by the current regulatory text (August 18)
• 1-Triacontanol; Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance -- establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of the biochemical pesticide 1-triacontanol (TA) in or on all food commodities when used in accordance with label directions and good agricultural practices (August 16)
• Fatty Acids, Rape-Oil, Triesters With Polyethylene Glycol Ether With Glycerol (3:1); Tolerance Exemption -- establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance or residues of fatty acids, rape-oil, triesters with polyethylene glycol ether with glycerol (3:1) when used as an inert ingredient in a pesticide chemical Formulation (August 16)
• Prothioconazole; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes a tolerance for residues of prothioconazole in or on Sunflower subgroup 20B at 0.2 parts per million (ppm) (August 16)
• Information Collection Request Submitted to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Pesticide Registration Fees Program -- EPA has submitted the following information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA): “Pesticide Registration Fees Program” and identified by EPA ICR No. 2330.03 and OMB Control No. 2070-0179. The ICR, which is available in the docket along with other related materials, provides a detailed explanation of the collection activities and the burden estimate that is only briefly summarized in this document (August 9)
• Information Collection Request Submitted to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Standards for Pesticide Containers and Containment -- EPA has submitted the following information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA): “Standards for Pesticide Containers and Containment” and identified by EPA ICR No. 1632.05 and OMB Control No. 2070-0133. The ICR, which is available in the docket along with other related materials, provides a detailed explanation of the collection activities and the burden estimate that is only briefly summarized in this document (August 9)
• Beta Cyclodextrin, Methyl Ethers; Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance -- establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of beta cyclodextrin, methyl ethers when used as an inert ingredient (stabilizer and solvent) in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops pre-harvest limited to a maximum concentration of 40% by weight in the pesticide formulation (August 4)
• Registration Review; Draft Human Health and/or Ecological Risk Assessments for Benfluralin, Bromuconazole, Carbaryl, Clodinafop-propargyl, Deltamethrin, Diflufenzopyr, Esfenvalerate, Lufenuron, and Mepiquat Chloride/Mepiquat Pentaborate; Notice of Availability -- announces the availability of EPA's draft risk human health and/or ecological risk assessments for the registration review of benfluralin, bromuconazole, carbaryl, clodinafop-propargyl, deltamethrin, diflufenzopyr, esfenvalerate, lufenuron, and mepiquat chloride/mepiquat pentaborate. Registration review is EPA's periodic review of pesticide registrations to ensure that each pesticide continues to satisfy the statutory standard for registration, that is, the pesticide can perform its intended function without unreasonable adverse effects on human health or the environment (August 3)
• Cancellation Order for Certain Pesticide Registrations and/or Amendments To Terminate Uses; Correction -- EPA issued a notice in the Federal Register of November 22, 2016, concerning receipt of requests to voluntarily cancel certain pesticide registrations and/or amend registrations to terminate certain uses. EPA also issued a notice in the Federal Register of April 10, 2017, concerning cancellation of certain pesticide registrations and/or amendments to terminate uses. This document corrects a typographical error in both of these notices. The EPA registration number for one of the products being voluntarily cancelled was listed incorrectly in the original notices (August 3)
• Pesticide Maintenance Fee: Notice of Receipt of Requests to Voluntarily Cancel Certain Pesticide Registrations -- In accordance with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is issuing a notice of receipt of requests by registrants to voluntarily cancel certain pesticide registrations. EPA intends to grant these requests at the close of the comment period for this announcement unless the Agency receives substantive comments within the comment period that would merit its further review of the requests, or unless the registrants withdraw its requests. If these requests are granted, any sale, distribution, or use of products listed in this notice will be permitted after the registrations have been cancelled only if such sale, distribution, or use is consistent with the terms as described in the final order. Comments must be received on or before January 30, 2018 (August 3)
• Cyclaniliprole; Pesticide Tolerances and Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance -- establishes tolerances for residues of cyclaniliprole in or on multiple commodities that are identified and discussed later in this document (August 3)
• Ethaboxam; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of ethaboxam in or on Ginseng; Pepper/eggplant, subgroup 8-10B; Vegetable, cucurbit, group 9; and Vegetable, tuberous and corm, subgroup 1C (August 3)

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July 27, 2017

July 26, 2017

July 25, 2017

July 24, 2017

July 17, 2017

July 12, 2017

U.S. EPA honors five Bay Area federal facilities for going green
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized five federal agencies—Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy, Department of Labor, and the Presidio Trust—for improving efficiency, saving resources and reducing costs at their Bay Area federal facilities as part of the Federal Green Challenge (FGC).

July 11, 2017

EPA and Texas team up to eliminate water pollution
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently awarded the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) a performance partnership grant of $2,775,937 for administering water quality and environmental programs. The funds will go toward TCEQ programs to prevent, reduce and eliminate water pollution by setting quality standards, monitoring water quality, granting permits, and assuring compliance with regulations. The funds will also help administer TCEQ’s environmental management programs, which monitor, abate and control hazardous waste, solid waste, air pollution, and pesticides.

EPA Administrator Pruitt Addresses American Farm Bureau’s State Leadership Meeting
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt addressed the American Farm Bureau Federation’s State Leadership Meeting earlier today to discuss EPA’s recent decision to begin rescinding the ‘Waters of the U.S.’ rule (WOTUS), as well as other issues of concern to American farmers.

July 10, 2017

Pruitt and Perdue Promote Sustainability in The South
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt and Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue visited the Gully Branch Tree Farm in rural Georgia.  The visit focused on the benefits of EPA’s partnership with local organizations in rural America to promote environmental stewardship among school-aged children, especially those living in agricultural communities.

July 6, 2017

EPA grant of nearly $175,000 to state of Oklahoma will support pesticide safety
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently awarded $174,814 to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry to support a wide range of pesticide programs, including enforcement and outreach efforts. The department has authority from EPA to regulate pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act in Oklahoma.

July 2017 Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

• Pseudomonas chlororaphis strain AFS009; Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance -- establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of Pseudomonas chlororaphis strain AFS009 in or on all food commodities when used in accordance with label directions and good agricultural practices (July 28)
• Topramezone; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes a tolerance for residues of topramezone in or on sugarcane, cane (July 28)
• Fenamidone; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of fenamidone in or on multiple commodities (July 28)
• Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Applications for New Uses -- EPA has received applications to register new uses for pesticide products containing currently registered active ingredients. Pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is hereby providing notice of receipt and opportunity to comment on these applications. Comments must be received on or before August 28, 2017 (July 27)
• Tolpyralate; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of tolpyralate in or on field corn, popcorn, and sweet corn (July 27)
• Ametoctradin; Pesticide Tolerance -- amends a tolerance for residues of ametoctradin in or on hops (July 27)
• Fenpyroximate; Pesticide Tolerances -- increases existing tolerances for residues of fenpyroximate in or on dried citrus pulp, citrus oil, and the citrus fruit group 10-10 (July 27)
• Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Applications for New Active Ingredients -- EPA has received applications to register pesticide products containing active ingredients not included in any currently registered pesticide products. Pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is hereby providing notice of receipt and opportunity to comment on these applications. Comments must be received on or before August 25, 2017 (July 26)
• Difenoconazole; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of difenoconazole in or on cottonseed subgroup 20C; rice, grain; and rice, wild, grain. It also amends the existing tolerance for cotton, gin byproducts, and removes the tolerance for cotton, undelinted seed (July 14)
• Buprofezin; Pesticide Tolerance -- establishes a tolerance for residues of buprofezin in or on rice grain (July 10)
• Lambda-Cyhalothrin; Receipt of Application for Emergency Exemption, Solicitation of Public Comment -- EPA has received a specific exemption request from the Washington State Department of Agriculture to use the pesticide lambdacyhalothrin to treat up to 7,000 acres of asparagus to control the European asparagus aphid (July 10)
• Flonicamid; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of flonicamid in or on multiple commodities (July 7)
• Prosulfuron; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of prosulfuron in or on grain, cereal, forage, fodder, and straw, group 16, stover; grain, cereal, forage, fodder, and straw, group 16, forage; grain, cereal, forage, fodder, and straw, group 16, hay; grain, cereal, forage, fodder, and straw, group 16, straw; and grain, cereal, group 15 (July 7)
• Product Cancellation Order for Certain Pesticide Registrations -- announces EPA's order for the cancellations, voluntarily requested by the registrants and accepted by the Agency, of the products listed in Table 1 of Unit II., pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). This cancellation order follows a May 6, 2016, Federal Register, Notice of Receipt of Requests from the registrants listed in Table 2 of Unit II. to voluntarily cancel these product registrations (July 6)
• Flubendiamide; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes a tolerance for residues of flubendiamide in or on tea at 50 parts per million (ppm) (July 5)
• Indaziflam; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of indaziflam in or on multiple commodities (July 5)
• Pyroxsulam; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of pyroxsulam in or on teff, grain; teff, forage; teff, hay; and teff, straw (July 5)
• Oxirane, 2-methyl, Polymer With Oxirane, Hydrogen Sulfate, Ammonium Salt and Potassium Salt; Tolerance Exemption -- establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of oxirane, 2-methyl, polymer with oxirane, hydrogen sulfate, ammonium salt and oxirane, 2-methyl, polymer with oxirane, hydrogen sulfate, potassium salt; when used as an inert ingredient in a pesticide chemical formulation (July 5)
• Titanium Dioxide; Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance -- establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of titanium dioxide in honey when used as an inert ingredient (colorant) at a concentration of not more than 0.1% by weight in pesticide formulations intended for varroa mite control around bee hives (July 5)
• Pesticide Emergency Exemptions; Agency Decisions and State and Federal Agency Crisis Declarations -- EPA has granted emergency exemptions under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) for use of pesticides as listed in this notice. The exemptions were granted during the period January 1, 2017 to March 31, 2017 to control unforeseen pest outbreaks (July 5)
• Product Cancellation Order for Certain Pesticide Registrations -- announces EPA's order for the cancellations, voluntarily requested by the registrants and accepted by the Agency, of the products listed in Table 1 of Unit II., pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). This cancellation order follows a June 8, 2016 Federal Register Notice of Receipt of Requests from the registrants listed in Table 2 of Unit II. to voluntarily cancel these product registrations (July 5)
• Registration Review Proposed Interim Decisions for Aliphatic Esters, Mepiquat Chloride and Mepiquat Pentaborate, Propylene Glycol and Dipropylene Glycol, Triethylene Glycol, Bromuconazole, and Case Closures for ADAO, DMHMP, and Nuosept 145; Notice of Availability -- announces the availability of EPA's proposed interim registration review decisions and opens a 60-day public comment period on the proposed interim decisions. Registration review is EPA's periodic review of pesticide registrations to ensure that each pesticide continues to satisfy the statutory standard for registration, that is, that the pesticide can perform its intended function without unreasonable adverse effects on human health or the environment (July 5)

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June 28, 2017

EPA and Texas Partner on Pesticide Safety
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently awarded $585,730 to the Texas Department of Agriculture to support a wide range of pesticide programs, including enforcement and outreach efforts.

U.S. EPA Cites Lodi Company for Violating Federal Pesticide Law
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a settlement with San Joaquin Sulphur Company over a pesticide that was unregistered, improperly labeled and sold in inadequate packaging at its facility in Lodi, Calif. The company, a farm supply retailer, will pay a $25,127 civil penalty and has since corrected all identified compliance issues.

June 20, 2017

EPA Announces FIFRA Science Advisory Panel Meeting on PBPK and Asks for Nominations for Panel Members
On June 6, 2017, the EPA published a Federal Register Notice (EPA-HQ-OPP-2017-0180) for both the meeting and seeking nominees to serve as ad hoc expert members of the FIFRA SAP on  physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling at www.regulations.gov. The FIFRA SAP serves as the primary scientific peer review mechanism of EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) and is structured to provide scientific advice, information, and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on pesticides and pesticide-related issues as to the impact of regulatory actions on health and the environment.

June 15, 2017

EPA Registers Innovative Tool to Control Corn Rootworm
EPA recently registered four products containing a new and innovative plant-incorporated protectant (PIP) called SMARTSTAX PRO that will help U.S. farmers control corn rootworm, a devastating corn pest that has developed resistance to several other pesticides.

Test Guideline Methods for Bed Bug Pesticide Products Now Available
EPA’s final test guidelines, 810.3900 - Laboratory Product Performance Testing Methods for Bed Bug Pesticide Products, provides recommendations for the design and execution of laboratory studies to evaluate the performance of pesticide products intended to be effective against bed bugs. The guidance also includes directions for data reporting.

June 14, 2017

EPA Honors Fifth-Grader from Everett, Washington for Protecting Bees and Other Pollinators
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized Elizabeth Sajan, a 5th grade student at St. Mary Magdalen School in Everett, Washington, for her outstanding work to promote and protect bees and other pollinators in her local community. Elizabeth’s project is among 15 student projects from 13 states to receive the 2016 President’s Environmental Youth Award for their environmental education and stewardship achievements.  EPA presented the award at a ceremony today at St. Mary Magdalen School.

June 8, 2017

Upcoming Environmental Modeling in Ground Water Public Meeting
On June 28, 2017, EPA will hold an Environmental Modeling Public Meeting. This meeting provides a public forum for pesticide registrants, other stakeholders and EPA to discuss current issues related to modeling pesticide fate, transport, and exposure for pesticide risk assessments in a regulatory context. Groundwater modeling is conducted as part of the pesticide registration and re-evaluation processes. Requests to participate in the meeting must be received on or before June 21, 2017.

Five West Haven, Conn. Students Honored by White House and EPA for Environmental Project
Five students and their teacher from West Haven, Conn., were recognized today as winners of the 2016 President's Environmental Youth Award (PEYA). The program recognizes outstanding environmental stewardship projects by K-12 youth. These students demonstrate the initiative, creativity, and applied problem-solving skills needed to tackle environmental problems and find sustainable solutions. After reflecting on pollution problems in their own community and around the world, the five West Haven ninth graders, calling themselves "PKN," decided to address their concern about air pollution and the large amount of petroleum-based plastics filling landfills. A special concern of the students was people's use of inexpensive masks to filter out particulate matter in the air, and the waste created by the disposal of these masks. The PKN team developed a low-cost biodegradable plastic using pumpkins, a local agricultural product. During the project, PKN partnered with a local farm to repurpose pumpkins that would otherwise be thrown away as waste at the end of the fall season. The team continues to explore options to commercially distribute masks made from this cost-efficient bioplastic. The group is also working to develop biodegradable plastic bags made from their innovative material. The group met with a local environmental technology company to further develop a business model for PKN's products.

U.S. EPA Requires Imperial County Company to Safely Manage Pesticides
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a settlement with Rockwood Chemical Company over an improperly stored and labeled agricultural pesticide at its facility in Brawley, Calif. The company, a pesticide re-packager and distributor, will pay a $50,929 civil penalty and has corrected all identified compliance issues.

June 7, 2017

Camden Redevelopment Agency to Receive $450,000 to Continue Work on Contaminated Brownfield Site

​The Camden Redevelopment Agency of Camden, New Jersey was among 11 Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) recipients selected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today to receive supplemental funding. The additional support will help them to continue their work cleaning up the contaminated Building 8 Site. Former successful RLF communities have leveraged more than $6.3 billion in cleanup and redevelopment investments and completed more than 657 cleanups. For example, RLF funds are being used to turn the Colman Village Site in Rockford, Illinois into a $65 million multi-use complex that will host the Rock Valley Technical Career Education and Training Center, a major hospital clinic, the Illinois Center for Urban Agriculture, and office spaces. It is expected to generate approximately 210 to 305 jobs.

June 1, 2017

Clarification and Time Extension for Water Soluble Packaging Instructions
The Environmental Protection Agency is extending the time for registrants to submit revised labels for products with water soluble packaging. The new language is designed to correct misuse and protect handlers from exposure, and it will clarify that the changes only apply to large mix tanks, such as those often used in agricultural settings, versus smaller tanks, such as handheld or backpack sprayers.  The deadline for submitting revised label instructions, originally April 5, has been extended to October 5, 2017.

June 2017 Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

• Information Collection Request Submitted to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Requirements for Certified Applicators Using 1080 Collars for Livestock Protection (Renewal) -- The Environmental Protection Agency has submitted an information collection request (ICR), Requirements for Certified Applicators Using 1080 Collars for Livestock Protection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (June 23)
• Final Test Guideline; Product Performance Test Guidelines; OCSPP 810.3900 Laboratory Product Performance Testing Methods for Bed Bug Pesticide Products; Notice of Availability -- announcing the availability of a final test guideline, Laboratory Product Performance Testing Methods for Bed Bug Pesticide Products; OCSPP Test Guideline 810.3900. This test guideline is part of a series of test guidelines established by the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) for use in testing pesticides and chemical substances. The test guidelines serve as a compendium of accepted scientific methodologies and protocols that are intended to provide data to inform regulatory decisions. This test guideline provides guidance for conducting a study to determine pesticide product performance against bed bugs, and is used by EPA, the public, and companies that submit data to EPA (June 14)
• Isofetamid; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of isofetamid in or on multiple commodities (June 14)
• Spirotetramat; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of spirotetramat in or on multiple commodities which are identified and discussed later in this document. In addition, this regulation removes several previously established tolerances that are superseded by this final rule (June 14)
• Cumene Sulfonic Acid and Its Ammonium, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium and Zinc Salts; Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance -- establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of cumene sulfonic acid and its ammonium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and zinc salts when used as an inert ingredient (surfactants, related adjuvants of surfactants) in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops and to animals (June 13)
• Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Application for New Active Ingredient -- EPA has received applications to register pesticide products containing active ingredients not included in any currently registered pesticide products. Pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is hereby providing notice of receipt and opportunity to comment on these applications (June 8)
• Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Applications for New Uses -- EPA has received applications to register new uses of pesticide products containing currently registered active ingredients. Pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is hereby providing notice of receipt and opportunity to
• comment on these applications (June 8)
• Pesticide Experimental Use Permit; Receipt of Application; Comment Request -- announces EPA's receipt of an application requesting an experimental use permit (EUP) for the Bacillus thuringiensis Cry14Ab-1 protein and the genetic material necessary for its production in soybean. The Agency has determined that the permit may be of regional and national significance. Therefore, because of the potential significance, EPA is seeking comments on this application (June 8)
• Triclopyr; Pesticide Tolerances for Emergency Exemptions -- establishes time-limited tolerances for residues of triclopyr in or on sugarcane. This action is in response to EPA's granting of an emergency exemption under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) authorizing use of the pesticide on sugarcane. This regulation establishes a maximum permissible level for residues of triclopyr in or on this commodity. The time-limited tolerance will expire on December 31, 2020 (June 8)
• Notification of Submission to the Secretaries of Agriculture and Health and Human Services; Pesticides; Technical Amendment to Data Requirements for Antimicrobial Pesticides -- notifies the public as required by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) that the EPA Administrator has forwarded to the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) a draft regulatory document concerning Pesticides; Technical Amendment to Data Requirements for Antimicrobial Pesticides. The draft regulatory document is not available to the public until after it has been signed and made available by EPA (June 2)
• Pesticides; Certification of Pesticide Applicators; Delay of Effective Date -- EPA is delaying the effective date for the final rule issued in the Federal Register on January 4, 2017, from June 5, 2017 to May 22, 2018. That rule addressed revisions to the Certification of Pesticide Applicators rule (June 2)

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May 31, 2017

New Model Helps Calculate Exposure to Food Surface Sanitizers
The Food Contact Sanitizing Solutions Model (FCSSM) was developed to estimate indirect dietary exposure to components of sanitizing solutions used in commercial settings. The model offers guidance for estimating exposure where there may be inadvertent transfer of residue to edible items prepared or transported on surfaces treated with these pesticides. The model consists of spreadsheets that automatically calculate exposure and risk estimates based on data entered by the user.

May 25, 2017

EPA fines Wonder Farm Inc. for pesticide and worker protection violations
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced a settlement with Wonder Farm, Inc. over alleged misuse of pesticides and violations of worker safety regulations at its basil farm in Waianae, Oahu. Under the agreement, the company will pay a $26,700 penalty.

May 22, 2017

Proposals Requested for Cooperative Agreement to Train Healthcare Providers 
EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs is soliciting applications from eligible parties to manage a cooperative agreement to help educate the medical community on how to recognize and treat pesticide-related health conditions. The long-term goal of the project is to achieve improved health for communities at risk for overexposure to pesticides through outreach, technical assistance and training to increase knowledge and awareness of environmental and occupational health risks.

May 12, 2017

UPDATED: EPA Requests Comment on Extending the Timeline for Pesticide Applicators Rule
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt today proposed a 12-month extension for implementation of the revised final Certification and Training of Pesticide Applicators (C&T) rule. EPA received feedback from states and stakeholders that more time and resources are needed to prepare for compliance with the rule. The extended timeline would enable EPA to work with states and provide adequate compliance and training resources.

May 9, 2017

EPA Awards Oklahoma $855,000 to Protect Water Quality
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently awarded $855,0000 to the Oklahoma Office of the Secretary of Energy to support management of nonpoint-source water pollution. The funding will be used for a variety of projects designed to improve water quality in several priority watersheds. EPA’s grant will help Oklahoma fund NPS management projects such as controlling animal wastes, sediment, pesticides, and fertilizers; watershed planning and monitoring; and education and outreach programs.

EPA and U.S. Army Solicit State Input on Redefining “Waters of the U.S.”
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army sent a letter to governors today soliciting input from states on a new definition of protected waters that is in-line with a Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s opinion in the 2006 Rapanos v. United States case. Scalia’s definition explains that federal oversight should extend to “relatively permanent” waters and wetlands with a “continuous surface connection” to large rivers and streams.

May 3, 2017

State of Texas Receives EPA Grant of $8.3M for Water Quality and Environmental Programs

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently awarded the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) a performance partnership grant of $8,354,808 for administering water quality and environmental programs. The funds will go toward TCEQ programs to prevent, reduce and eliminate water pollution by setting quality standards, monitoring water quality, granting permits, and assuring compliance with regulations. The funds will also help administer TCEQ’s environmental management programs, which monitor, abate and control hazardous waste, solid waste, air pollution, and pesticides.

May 2017 Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

• Flazasulfuron; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of flazasulfuron in or on olives. ISK Biosciences Corporation requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) (May 25)
• Fenazaquin; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of fenazaquin in or on hop, dried cones; nuts, tree, group 14-12; pineapple; and tea, dried. Gowan Company requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) (May 25)
• Isopyrazam; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of isopyrazam in or on pepper, bell; tomato; and vegetable, cucurbit, subgroup 9A. Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) (May 25)
• Registration Review Proposed Interim Decisions for Aldicarb, Azoxystrobin, Bifenazate, Chlorpyrifos-methyl, Ethalfluralin, and Pirimiphos-methyl; Notice of Availability -- announces the availability of EPA's proposed interim registration review decisions and opens a 60-day public comment period on the proposed interim decisions. Registration review is EPA's periodic review of pesticide registrations to ensure that each pesticide continues to satisfy the statutory standard for registration, that is, that the pesticide can perform its intended function without unreasonable adverse effects on human health or the environment (May 25)
• Pyridate; Receipt of Application for Emergency Exemption, Solicitation of Public Comment -- EPA has received a specific exemption request from the Washington State Department of Agriculture to use the herbicide pyridate to treat up to 13,850 acres of double-cut mint to control terbacil-resistant redroot pigweed biotypes, common lambquarters, Powell amaranth, cinquefoil, Russian thistle, marestail and field violet in Washington. The applicant proposes a use of a pesticide that was voluntarily canceled in 2004, and which is now considered to be unregistered under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). EPA is soliciting public comment before making the decision whether or not to grant the exemption (May 24)
• Pesticides; Certification of Pesticide Applicators Rule; Delay of Effective Date -- On January 4, 2017, EPA published a final rule revising the regulation concerning the certification of applicators of restricted use pesticides (RUPs). The original effective date of March 6, 2017 was extended to March 21, 2017 by rule issued January 26, 2017, and subsequently extended to May 22, 2017 by rule issued March 20, 2017. In accordance with the Presidential directives as expressed in the memorandum of January 20, 2017, from the Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, entitled “Regulatory Freeze Pending Review,'' and the principles identified in the April 25, 2017 Executive Order “Promoting Agriculture and Rural Prosperity in America,'' EPA solicited public comments on May 15, 2017 about a possible further delay of the effective date of the January 4, 2017 revisions to the Certification of Pesticide Applicators rule until May 22, 2018. With this action, EPA is making an interim extension of the effective date until June 5, 2017 in order to consider and respond to public comments received in regard to the proposed May 22, 2018 extension (May 22)
• Pesticides; Certification of Pesticide Applicators Rule; Extension of Effective Date -- On January 4, 2017, EPA published a final rule revising the regulation concerning the certification of applicators of restricted use pesticides (RUPs). The original effective date of March 6, 2017 was extended to March 21, 2017 by rule issued January 26, 2017, and subsequently extended to May 22, 2017 by rule issued March 20, 2017. In accordance with the Presidential directives as expressed in the memorandum of January 20, 2017, from the Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, entitled “Regulatory Freeze Pending Review,'' and the principles identified in the April 25, 2017 Executive Order “Promoting Agriculture and Rural Prosperity in America,'' EPA is proposing to further delay the effective date of the January 4, 2017 revisions to the Certification of Pesticide Applicators rule until May 22, 2018. Comments must be received on or before May 19, 2017 (May 15)
• Flonicamid; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of flonicamid in or on multiple commodities which are identified and discussed later in this document. In addition, this regulation revokes the established tolerance for vegetable, fruiting, group 8-10 that is superseded by this action (May 11)
• Fluazinam; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes a tolerance for residues of fluazinam in or on tea, dried (May 11)
• Tolerances and Exemptions for Pesticide Chemical Residues in Food -- In Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, parts 150 to 189, revised as of July 1, 2016, on page 612, in Sec. 180.495, in the table in paragraph (a), the second entry for “Grape, raisin'' is removed (May 10)
• Registration Review Draft Risk Assessments for Linuron and Several Pyrethroids; Re-opening of Comment Period -- In the Federal Register of November 29, 2016, EPA announced the availability of and solicited public comment on the registration review draft risk assessments for a number of pesticide chemicals, including several pyrethroid insecticides and the herbicide linuron. This document re-opens the comment period on the ecological risk assessment for the pyrethroid chemicals for 60 days; and re-opens the comment period on the human health and ecological risk assessments for the chemical linuron for 30 days. Comments must be received on or before July 7, 2017 for the ecological risk assessment for the pyrethroid chemicals; and on or before June 7, 2017 for the human health and ecological risk assessments for the chemical linuron (May 8)
• Tioxazafen; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of tioxazafen in or on corn, field, forage; corn, field, grain; corn, field, stover; cotton, gin byproducts; cotton, undelinted seed; soybean, forage; soybean, hay; soybean, meal; soybean, seed (May 1)

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April 24, 2017

EPA awards nearly $1.3 million to Guam for environmental protection
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $1,296,939 to the Guam Environmental Protection Agency (GEPA) to strengthen its capacity to protect human health and the environment. The funding will enable GEPA to continue a host of ongoing environmental programs including improving pesticide management by educating farmers on proper application techniques and how to prevent illegal importation and use of unregistered pesticides.

April 20, 2017

Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee and Pesticide Regulatory Reform Meetings
EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs will hold a public meeting of the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC) on Wednesday, May 3, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., and on Thursday, May 4, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. The session on May 4 will be devoted to receiving public feedback on pesticide regulatory reform issues. Capacity is limited. Registration will be required to attend the May 4 meeting in person or by phone.

April 12, 2017

U.S. EPA Requires Ag Companies to Better Manage Pesticides in California’s Central Valley
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced separate settlements with two companies over the improper storage and labeling of agricultural pesticides. J.R. Simplot Company, one of the largest privately-held agribusiness companies in the nation, and Gar Tootelian, Inc., a long-time distributor of chemicals and fertilizers in the San Joaquin Valley, have agreed to pay a total of $131,920 in civil penalties. The firms have committed to correcting all of the identified compliance issues.

April 11, 2017

Regulatory Reform Underway at EPA
As a vital step of EPA’s implementation of President Trump’s Executive Order, “Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda” EPA’s Regulatory Reform Task Force, led by the Office of Policy, submitted a Federal Register notice today to solicit public comments on EPA regulations. “We are supporting the restoration of America’s economy through extensive reviews of the misaligned regulatory actions from the past administration. The previous administration abused the regulatory process to advance an ideological agenda that expanded the reach of the federal government, often dismissing the technological and economic concerns raised by the regulated community and duplicating long-standing regulations by states and localities. Moving forward, EPA will be listening to those directly impacted by regulations, and learning ways we can work together with our state and local partners, to ensure that we can provide clean air, land, and water to Americans,” said Administrator Scott Pruitt.

April 6, 2017

Revised Label Language for Pesticide Products in Water Soluble Packaging to Protect Handlers
The Environmental Protection Agency has sent a letter to registrants of products with water soluble packaging (WSP) with revised instructions to be placed on the label of those products. When used properly, WSP can significantly reduce handler exposure during the mixing and loading of pesticides, qualifying it as a closed mixing/loading system under the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard. However, some unintended practices in the field are actually increasing the risks, negating the intention of the technology.

April 5, 2017

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt Speaks at Ag America Conference
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt today spoke to American farmers and agriculture leaders, during the Ag America national conference in Washington, D.C.

Chlorpyrifos; Order Denying PANNA and NRDC's Petition To Revoke Tolerances
EPA denies a petition requesting that EPA revoke all tolerances for the pesticide chlorpyrifos under section 408(d) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and cancel all chlorpyrifos registrations under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. The petition was filed in September 2007 by the Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

Agriculture Community Reacts to Recent EPA Action
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt recently signed an order denying a petition that sought to ban chlorpyrifos, a pesticide common to U.S. agriculture.  Administrator Pruitt explained that the decision provides “regulatory certainty to the thousands of American farms that rely on chlorpyrifos, while still protecting human health and the environment.”

April 2017 Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

• Bacillus simplex strain BU288; Exemption From the Requirement of a tolerance -- establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of Bacillus simplex strain BU288 when used as an inert ingredient (emulsifier) in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops and raw agricultural commodities (April 25)
• Benzobicyclon; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes a tolerance for residues of benzobicyclon in or on rice, grain (April 25)
• Deltamethrin; Pesticide Tolerances-- establishes tolerances for residues of deltamethrin in or on orange; citrus, dried pulp; citrus, oil (April 20)
• Bacillus Thuringiensis (mCry51Aa2) Protein in or on Cotton; Temporary Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance -- establishes a temporary exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of the Bacillus thuringiensis mCry51Aa2 protein in or on the food and feed commodities of cotton; cotton undelinted seed; cotton, gin byproducts; cotton, forage; cotton,hay; cotton, hulls; cotton, meal; and cotton, refined oil, when used as a plant-incorporated protectant (PIP) in accordance with the terms of Experimental Use Permit (EUP) No. 524-108 (April 18)
• Pyriofenone; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of pyriofenone in or on the caneberry subgroup (crop subgroup 13-07A), the bushberry subgroup (crop subgroup 13-07B), the small fruit vine climbing subgroup (crop subgroup 13-07D), the low growing berry subgroup except cranberry (crop subgroup 13-07G) and cucurbit vegetables (crop group 9) (April 18)
• Pyroxasulfone; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of pyroxasulfone in or on multiple commodities (April 18)
• Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Applications for New Uses -- EPA has received applications to add new food uses on previously registered pesticide products. Pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is hereby providing notice of receipt and opportunity to comment on these applications. Comments must be received on or before May 12, 2017 (April 12)
• Monoethanolamine; Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance -- establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of monoethanolamine (CAS Reg. No. 141-43-5) when used as an inert ingredient (solvent) in pesticides applied to growing crops and raw agricultural commodities after harvest limited to a maximum concentration of 3.35% by weight in the pesticide Formulation (April 12)
• Acetamiprid; Pesticide Tolerances for Emergency Exemption -- establishes time-limited tolerances for residues of acetamiprid in or on sugarcane, cane and sugarcane, molasses. This action is associated with the issuance of a crisis exemption under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) authorizing use of the pesticide on sugarcane. This regulation establishes maximum permissible levels for residues of acetamiprid in or on sugarcane, cane and sugarcane, molasses. The time-limited tolerances expire on December 31, 2019 (April 10)
• Receipt of Several Pesticide Petitions Filed for Residues of Pesticide Chemicals in or on Various Commodities -- announces the Agency's receipt of several initial filings of pesticide petitions requesting the establishment or modification of regulations for residues of pesticide chemicals in or on various commodities (April 10)
• Dinotefuran; Receipt of Applications for Emergency Exemptions, Solicitation of Public Comment -- EPA has received specific exemption requests from the West Virginia, Virginia, and Pennsylvania Departments of Agriculture to use the insecticide dinotefuran (CAS No. 165252-70-0) to treat pome and stone fruit orchards to control the brown marmorated stinkbug (April 10)
• Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Application for New Active Ingredient -- EPA has received an application to register a pesticide product containing an active ingredient not included in any currently registered pesticide products. Pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is hereby providing notice of receipt and opportunity to comment on this application. Comments must be received on or before May 10, 2017 (April 10)
• Registration Review; Biopesticide Dockets Opened for Review and Comment -- EPA is opening the public comment period for several 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, that is, the pesticide can perform its intended function without unreasonable adverse effects on human health or the environment. Comments must be received on or before June 9, 2017 (April 10)
• Notice of Receipt of Requests To Voluntarily Cancel Certain Pesticide Registrations and Amend Registrations To Terminate Certain Uses -- In accordance with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is issuing a notice of receipt of requests by the registrants to voluntarily cancel their registrations and to amend their product registrations to terminate uses. EPA intends to grant these requests at the close of the comment period for this announcement unless the Agency receives substantive comments within the comment period that would merit its further review of the requests, or unless the registrants withdraw their requests. Comments must be received on or before May 10, 2017 (April 10)
• Cancellation Order for Certain Pesticide Registrations and/or Amendments To Terminate Uses -- announces EPA's order for the cancellations and/or amendments to terminate uses, voluntarily requested by the registrants and accepted by the Agency, of products listed in Table 1 and 2 of Unit II., pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (April 10)
• Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Applications for New Uses -- EPA has received applications to register new uses of pesticide products containing currently registered active ingredients. Pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is hereby providing notice of receipt and opportunity to comment on these applications. Comments must be received on or before May 10, 2017 (April 10)
• Notice of Receipt of Requests to Voluntarily Cancel Certain Pesticide Registrations -- In accordance with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is issuing a notice of receipt of requests by registrants to voluntarily cancel certain pesticide registrations. EPA intends to grant these requests at the close of the comment period for this announcement unless the Agency receives substantive comments within the comment period that would merit its further review of the requests, or unless the registrants withdraw its requests. Comments must be received on or before October 10, 2017 (April 10)

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March 30, 2017

EPA awards nearly $1 million to Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $962,275 to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands’ Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality (BECQ) to strengthen its capacity to protect human health and the environment. The environmental protection work done by BECQ includes inspections, cleaning up formerly contaminated areas for productive use, monitoring the safety of pesticide use, ensuring clean beaches and safe drinking water, coral reef protection, and targeted projects to clean up polluted streams.

March 29, 2017

EPA Administrator Pruitt Denies Petition to Ban Widely Used Pesticide
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt signed an order denying a petition that sought to ban chlorpyrifos, a pesticide crucial to U.S. agriculture.

March 27, 2017

Candida auris – Guidance and Methods for Antimicrobial Efficacy Testing
EPA is announcing the availability of two new test methods and associated testing guidance for evaluating the effectiveness of antimicrobial pesticides against Candida auris (C. auris).

March 23, 2017

Nominations to the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee Open until April 21, 2017
EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs is currently accepting nominations for the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC). A federal advisory committee, PPDC provides advice and recommendations to the EPA on issues associated with pesticide regulatory development and reform initiatives, evolving public policy and program implementation issues, and science issues associated with evaluating and reducing risks from the use of pesticides.

March 21, 2017

National Poison Prevention Week – EPA Urges Public to Keep All Pesticides in Original Containers to Prevent Accidental Poisoning
National Poison Prevention Week was March 19-25.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency highlights the dangers of removing pesticides and other household chemicals from their original containers and storing them in bottles or cans that can be mistaken for drink. Poison Control Centers have reported cases of accidental poisonings from ingestion of chemical substances stored in soda and juice bottles and cans, coffee cups, baby bottles and various other beverage containers.

March 17, 2017

Scientific Advisory Panel Report for Glyphosate Available
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) met December 13-16, 2016, to consider a set of scientific issues being evaluated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding EPA's evaluation of the carcinogenic potential of the herbicide glyphosate. The meeting minutes and final report from the meeting are now available.

March 15, 2017

New Guidance Available for Review of Developmental Neurotoxicity Studies
EPA and Health Canada have developed new guidance for interpreting developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) data in support of a pesticide registration. This guidance will help scientists in the EPA and Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) evaluate these studies more consistently. 

March 13, 2017

EPA Extends Comment Period on Risk Management Plan Rule
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Pruitt took action today to reconsider the “Accidental Release Prevention Requirements: “Risk Management Programs Under the Clean Air” (“RMP Rule”) and signed an administrative stay to delay the effective date of the rule regarding chemical accident preparedness and prevention, until June 19, 2017.

EPA Seeks Beta Testers for Pesticide Mobile Application for Pesticide Label Matching
Every pesticide must have labeling that is approved by EPA before it can be sold or distributed. A pesticide is misbranded under FIFRA if its labeling is false or misleading, which can lead to unsafe and ineffective use of the product. State governments generally have the authority to enforce these labeling requirements.

March 6, 2017

EPA to Host Public Meeting about the Mississippi Phosphates Corporation Site in Pascagoula, Miss.
On Mar. 9, 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 will host a public meeting to update residents about the agency’s activities at the Mississippi Phosphates Corporation (MPC) Site in Pascagoula, Miss. On Feb. 11, 2017, EPA assumed temporary control of wastewater treatment operations at the former MPC fertilizer facility once the MPC Environmental Trust, which owns the property, ran out of funds. Currently, wastewater treatment is occurring at a rate of approximately 2,000,000 gallons per day.

March 2017 Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

• Product Cancellation Order for Certain Pesticide Registrations and Amendments To Terminate Uses -- announces EPA's order for the cancellations and amendments to terminate uses, voluntarily requested by the registrants and accepted by the Agency, of the products listed in Table 1 and Table 2 of Unit II, pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). This cancellation order follows a November 18, 2016 Federal Register Notice of Receipt of Requests from the registrants listed in Table 3 of Unit II, to voluntarily cancel and amend to terminate uses of these product registrations (March 23)
• Receipt of Several Pesticide Petitions Filed for Residues of Pesticide Chemicals in or on Various Commodities -- announces the Agency's receipt of several initial filings of pesticide petitions requesting the establishment or modification of regulations for residues of pesticide chemicals in or on various commodities (March 23)
• Pesticide Emergency Exemptions; Agency Decisions and State and Federal Agency Crisis Declarations -- EPA has granted emergency exemptions under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) for use of pesticides as listed in this notice. The exemptions were granted during the period October 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016 to control unforeseen pest outbreaks (March 22)
• Product Cancellation Order for Certain Pesticide Registrations -- announces EPA's order for the cancellations, voluntarily requested by the registrants and accepted by the Agency, of the products listed in Table 1 of Unit II., pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). This cancellation order follows a July 12, 2016 Federal Register Notice of Receipt of Requests from the registrants listed in Table 2 of Unit II. to voluntarily cancel these product registrations (March 22)
• Product Cancellation Order for Certain Pesticide Registrations -- announces EPA's order for the cancellations, voluntarily requested by the registrants and accepted by the Agency, of the products listed in Table 1 of Unit II., pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). This cancellation order follows an August 20, 2014 Federal Register (79 FR 49311) (FRL-9914-46) Notice of Receipt of Requests from the registrants listed in Table 2 of Unit II. to voluntarily cancel these product registrations (March 22)
• Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate; Tolerance Exemption -- establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of polyglycerol polyricinoleate when used as an inert ingredient in a pesticide chemical formulation (March 22)
• Octadecanoic acid, 12-hydroxy-, homopolymer, ester with [alpha], [alpha]',[alpha]''-1,2,3-propanetriyltris[[omega]-hydroxypoly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl)]; Tolerance Exemption – establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of octadecanoic acid, 12-hydroxy-, homopolymer, ester with [alpha], [alpha]',[alpha]''-1,2,3-propanetriyltris[[omega]-hydroxypoly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl)]; when used as an inert ingredient in a pesticide chemical formulation (March 22)
• Aspergillus flavus AF36; Amendment to an Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance -- amends the existing tolerance exemption for Aspergillus flavus AF36 by establishing an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of Aspergillus flavus AF36 in or on almond and fig when used in accordance with label directions and good agricultural practices (March 22)
• Isoamyl Acetate; Exemption From the Requirement of a Tolerance -- establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of isoamyl acetate (CAS Reg. No. 123-92-2) when used as an inert ingredient (buffering agent) in pesticide formulations applied to growing crops and raw agricultural commodities after harvest (March 22)  
• Fatty Acids, Montan-Wax, Ethoxylated; Tolerance Exemption -- establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of fatty acids, montan-wax, ethoxylated (CAS No. 68476-04-0) when used as an inert ingredient in a pesticide chemical formulation (March 22)
• Cyantraniliprole; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of cyantraniliprole in or on multiple commodities (March 22)
• Cloquintocet-mexyl; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of Cloquintocet-mexyl (acetic acid [5-chloro-8-quinolinyl) oxy]-1-methylhexyl ester) in or on teff when cloquintocet-mexyl is used as an inert ingredient (herbicide safener) in pesticide formulations containing pyroxsulam (March 22)
• Streptomycin; Pesticide Tolerances for Emergency Exemptions -- establishes time-limited tolerances for residues of streptomycin in or on fruit, citrus, group 10-10, for both fresh fruit and dried pulp (March 15)
• Oxytetracycline; Pesticide Tolerances for Emergency Exemptions  -- establishes a time-limited tolerance for residues of oxytetracycline in or on fruit, citrus, group 10-10. This action is in response to EPA's granting of an emergency exemption under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) authorizing use of the pesticide in citrus production. This regulation establishes a maximum permissible level for residues of oxytetracycline in or on the commodities in this crop group. The time-limited tolerance expires on December 31, 2019 (March 10)
• Flupyradifurone; Pesticide Tolerances for Emergency Exemptions -- establishes time-limited tolerances for residues of flupyradifurone [4-[[(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)methyl](2,2-difluoroethyl)amino]-2(5H)-furanone] in or on sweet sorghum, forage and sorghum, syrup resulting from use of flupyradifurone in accordance with the terms of crisis exemptions issued under section 18 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). This action is in response to the issuance of crisis emergency exemptions under FIFRA section 18 authorizing use of the pesticide on sweet sorghum. This regulation establishes maximum permissible levels for residues of flupyradifurone in or on sweet sorghum forage and sorghum syrup. These time-limited tolerances expire on December 31, 2019 (March 10)

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February 23, 2017

EPA Solicits Proposals for the Field Implementation Meeting Support Cooperative Agreement
EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs is soliciting applications for one or more cooperative agreements to manage a Field Implementation Meetings Support program. EPA expects to provide up to $500,000 annually, depending on the Agency’s budget, for a total of five fiscal years (2017 through 2021).

February 21, 2017

Pesticide poisoning trainings, March 6 on Kauai, March 7 on Oahu
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced upcoming trainings for health care workers on how to recognize and treat pesticide poisonings. The classes will be conducted by the Migrant Clinicians Network, with co-sponsors Hawaii Department of Health, the Hawaii Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians and Hawaii Emergency Physicians Associated, with funding from the EPA.

February 17, 2017

Job Creators, American Energy Producers, Farmers and Elected Officials Cheer Scott Pruitt’s Ascension to EPA Administrator
American leaders and job creators all across the country today cheered as Scott Pruitt was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to become the new EPA Administrator.

New Guidance on Environmental Control of Candida auris with Antimicrobial Pesticides
Last fall the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified drug resistant Candida auris infections in hospitals in the United States. At that time, CDC issued a clinical alert on Candida to U.S. healthcare facilities and has recently revised its recommendation to include thorough daily and after-discharge cleaning of rooms of C. auris patients using EPA-registered hospital disinfectants active against Clostridium difficile. The previous recommendation was to use a hospital disinfectant effective against fungi. CDC’s disinfection recommendations for C. auris will continue to be updated as new information becomes available.

February 8, 2017

Tribal Pesticide Program Council Meeting - March 8-10, 2017
The Tribal Pesticide Program Council (TPPC) will hold its next semiannual meeting on March 8 and 9, 2017, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) in Crystal City, Virginia, at One Potomac Yard, Room S4370/80, and on March 10 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Room S7100.

February 6, 2017

U.S. EPA commits Sanger, Calif., poultry processor to protect workers, local community from risk of chemical releases
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a settlement with Pitman Farms, Inc., for violations of federal chemical safety and reporting requirements following three ammonia releases at its poultry processing facility located in Sanger, Calif.  Pitman Farms, which sells poultry from its Sanger facility under the brand name Mary’s Free Range Chicken, will pay a $242,980 civil penalty and perform two local environmental projects valued at nearly $200,000.

February 2017 Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

• Pesticide Experimental Use Permit; Receipt of Application; Comment Request -- announces EPA's receipt of an application 279-EUP-U from FMC Corporation requesting an experimental use permit (EUP) for the use of malathion (February 23) 
• Thiamethoxam; Pesticide Tolerance -- establishes a tolerance for residues of thiamethoxam in or on bananas (February 15)
• Hexythiazox; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of the ovicide/miticide hexythiazox in or on beet, sugar, root, and beet, sugar, dried pulp and establishes tolerances associated with regional registrations for residues on Bermuda grass, forage and Bermuda grass, hay (February 14)
• Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Applications for New Uses -- EPA has received applications to register pesticide products containing active ingredients not included in any currently registered pesticide products (February 7)
• Receipt of Several Pesticide Petitions Filed for Residues of Pesticide Chemicals in or on Various Commodities -- announces EPA's receipt of several initial filings of pesticide petitions requesting the establishment or modification of regulations for residues of pesticide chemicals in or on various commodities (February 7)
• 2,4-D; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes a tolerance for residues of 2,4-D in or on cotton, gin byproducts and amends the existing tolerance on cotton, undelinted seed (February 7)
• Propamocarb; Pesticide Tolerance -- establishes a tolerance for residues of propamocarb in or on potato (February 7)

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January 30, 2017

EPA Lifts Outdoor Burn Ban for Yakama Nation
On January 30, 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lifted the ban on outdoor open burning on the Yakama Reservation, thanks to improving weather conditions and reduced air pollution. The burn ban had applied to all outdoor and agricultural burning—including camping and recreational fires—in all areas within external reservation boundaries regardless of ownership or tribal membership.  Ceremonial and traditional fires were exempt from the burn ban.

January 18, 2017

EPA Releases Final Biological Evaluations of Three Chemicals’ Impacts on Endangered Species
EPA has released its final biological evaluations (BEs) for effects of chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and malathion on threatened and endangered species and their designated critical habitat. We have also released a separate document that addresses the comments submitted during the public comment period.

Updated List of Human Health Benchmarks for Pesticides in Drinking Water Available
EPA has updated its list of human health benchmarks for pesticides (HHBP) in drinking water. A total of 394 HHBPs are now available for pesticides that are currently registered for use on food crops or other use that could result in exposure through food or drinking water. EPA develops these benchmarks as screening levels for use by states and water systems in determining whether the detection of a pesticide in drinking water or a drinking water source may indicate a potential health risk.

January 13, 2017

EPA Declares Outdoor Burn Ban for Yakama Nation
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is declaring a ban on all outdoor open burning on the Yakama Reservation due to stagnant air conditions and elevated air pollution, effective noon, January 13, 2017 through Wednesday January 18, 2017 unless extended.

For the First Time in 40 Years EPA to Put in Place a Process to Evaluate Chemicals that May Pose Risk
New chemical law requires the agency to look at chemicals that were grandfathered in under old law. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is moving swiftly to propose how it will prioritize and evaluate chemicals, given that the final processes must be in place within the first year of the new law’s enactment, or before June 22, 2017.

January 12, 2017

EPA Amends Registration for Enlist Duo Herbicide to Add GE Cotton and Additional States
Enlist Duo, a formula containing the choline salt of 2,4-D and glyphosate for use in controlling weeds in genetically engineered (GE) crops, was first registered in 2014 for use in GE corn and soybean crops. EPA is amending the registration to include GE cotton and expand the use to an additional 19 states for GE corn, soybean, and cotton and re-affirming our original decision before the remand.

EPA Releases Four Neonicotinoid Risk Assessments for Public Comment
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has published preliminary pollinator-only risk assessments for the neonicotinoid insecticides clothianidin, thiamethoxam, and dinotefuran and also an update to its preliminary risk assessment for imidacloprid, which we published in January 2016. The updated imidacloprid assessment looks at potential risks to aquatic species, and identifies some risks for aquatic insects. 

Now Available – Final Test Guidelines for Ecological Effects
EPA’s final test guidelines for ecological effects are now available. The test guidelines, “Guidelines for Aquatic and Sediment-Dwelling Fauna, Aquatic Microcosm and Field Testing,” are part of a series of test guidelines established by the EPA for use in testing pesticides and other chemical substances.

EPA Finalizes Steps to Better Protect Bees from Pesticides
EPA’s is releasing a final policy which describes methods for addressing acute risks to bees from pesticides.  Applications of acutely toxic pesticides would be prohibited under certain conditions when bees are most likely to be present.  While the restrictions focus on managed bees, EPA believes that these measures will also protect native bees and other pollinators that are in and around treatment areas.  New label language will protect managed bees under contract to provide crop pollination services. 

January 11, 2017

EPA Awards Nearly $4 Million to Reduce Diesel Emissions in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $3,579,013 in Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) funding to reduce emissions from the most polluting diesel sources in impacted communities in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. DERA funding was awarded to public and private partners from Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington to retrofit and replace old, polluting diesel vehicles and equipment, including school buses, trucks, agriculture and port equipment, and generators.

January 4, 2017

EPA Finalizes Human Health Risk Assessment for Pesticide Used on Pets
EPA has finalized the human health risk assessment of tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP). TCVP is an organophosphate insecticide used to control fleas, ticks, and other pests on and around pets and livestock. It is used in residential products like pet collars.

Pesticides; Certification of Pesticide Applicators
EPA is updating the existing regulation concerning the certification of applicators of restricted use pesticides (RUPs) in response to public comments received on the proposal and based on extensive stakeholder review of the existing regulation and its implementation since 1974. The final revised regulation will ensure Federal certification program standards adequately protect applicators, the public, and the environment from risks associated with use of RUPs.

January 2017 Pesticide Registration Requests, Actions, and Tolerance Updates

• Acequinocyl; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of acequinocyl in or on multiple commodities (January 18)
• Tetraconazole; Pesticide Tolerances -- establishes tolerances for residues of tetraconazole in or on vegetable, fruiting (Crop Group 8-10) at 0.30 parts per million (ppm) and vegetable, cucurbit (Crop Group 9) at 0.15 ppm and revises the tolerance for residues on beet, sugar, root; beet, sugar, dried pulp; and beet, sugar molasses (January 10)
• Butanedioic Acid, 2-Methylene-, Telomer With Sodium Phosphinate (1:1), Acidified, Potassium Salts; Tolerance Exemption -- establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of butanedioic acid, 2-methylene-, telomer with sodium phosphinate (1:1), acidified, potassium salts when used as an inert ingredient in a pesticide chemical formulation (January 10)
• Propiconazole; Extension of Tolerance for Emergency Exemptions -- extends a time-limited tolerance for combined residues of the fungicide propiconazole and its metabolites in or on avocado at 10 parts per million (ppm) for an additional 3-year period. This tolerance will expire and is revoked on December 31, 2019 (January 5)
• Pesticides; Certification of Pesticide Applicators -- EPA is updating the existing regulation concerning the certification of applicators of restricted use pesticides (RUPs) in response to public comments received on the proposal and based on extensive stakeholder review of the existing regulation and its implementation since 1974. The final revised regulation will ensure Federal certification program standards adequately protect applicators, the public, and the environment from risks associated with use of RUPs (January 4)
• Paraquat Dichloride Human Health Mitigation Decision; Notice of Availability -- announces the availability of EPA's human health mitigation decision for the pesticide paraquat dichloride, case 0262. Registration review is EPA's periodic review of pesticide registrations to ensure that each pesticide continues to satisfy the statutory standard for registration, that is, that the pesticide can perform its intended function without causing unreasonable adverse effects on human health or the environment (January 3)
• Pesticide Product Registrations; Receipt of Applications for New Active Ingredients -- EPA has received applications to register pesticide products containing active ingredients not included in any currently registered pesticide products. Pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is hereby providing notice of receipt and opportunity to comment on these applications. Comments must be received on or before February 2, 2017 (January 3)
• Pesticide Product Registrations; Receipt of Applications for New Uses -- EPA has received applications to register new uses for pesticide products containing currently registered active ingredients. Pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is hereby providing notice of receipt and opportunity to comment on these applications. Comments must be received on or before February 2, 2017 (January 3)

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