For Release: July 1, 2019

EPA is extending the public comment period for 45 days on a draft revised method for assessing pesticide risk to endangered and threatened species.

The comment period will now close on Aug. 15, 2019.

Comments can be submitted to the docket (EPA-HQ-OPP-2019-0185) at www.regulations.gov. The docket also includes information about the public meeting; including the agenda, slides, and a recording.

EPA held a public meeting on June 10 to present the draft revised method and to allow attendees the opportunity to ask clarifying questions and provide comments. EPA is extending the comment period deadline as a result of several stakeholder requests. It is important to EPA to ensure there is adequate time to solicit feedback from all stakeholders, and therefore the Agency is extending the comment period. 

EPA’s objective with the draft revised methodologies is to deliver a more sustainable process for assessing pesticide impacts on endangered and threatened species that is efficient, protective, transparent, and scientifically defensible. The draft revised method is expected to meaningfully distinguish species that are likely to be exposed to and affected by the assessed pesticides from those that are not likely, in a manner that remains consistent with the National Academy of Sciences’ recommendations.

Under the Endangered Species Act, federal agencies are required to determine whether their actions may affect listed species and their designated critical habitat and biological evaluations are the first step in the interagency consultation process to protect listed species and their habitats. More information is available at www.epa.gov/endangered-species.