81 FR 36303 - Stakeholder Workshop To Discuss Interim Scientific Methods Used in Draft Biological Evaluations; Notice of Public Meeting

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 108 (June 6, 2016)

Page Range		36303-36304
FR Document		2016-13301

EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (collectively, the Services), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are holding a 2-day workshop to discuss potential refinements to the interim scientific methods used in the first nationwide draft biological evaluations for chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and malathion, released for public comment on April 11, 2016. These interim scientific methods were developed by EPA and the Services, with collaboration from USDA on crop production, pesticide use, and the spatial footprint of agricultural use patterns, in response to the 2013 National Academy of Sciences (NAS) report entitled, ``Assessing Risks to Endangered and Threatened Species from Pesticides.'' This workshop builds upon public meetings held in November 2013, April and October 2014, and April 2015, and provides a forum for stakeholders to offer scientific and technical feedback on three topics of interest: (1) Improving aquatic modeling, (2) refinements to Step 1 (making ``may affect'' or ``no effect'' determinations) and Step 2 (making ``likely to adversely affect'' or ``not likely to adversely affect'' determinations), and (3) the weight of evidence approach. The workshop is not designed, or intended, to be a decision-making forum; consensus will not be sought, or developed at the meeting. This meeting is intended to further the agencies' goal of developing a sustainable methodology and process as part of the consultation process for assessing pesticide impacts on threatened and endangered (listed) species that is efficient, inclusive, and transparent.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 108 (Monday, June 6, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 108 (Monday, June 6, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36303-36304]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13301]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0233; FRL-9947-12]


Stakeholder Workshop To Discuss Interim Scientific Methods Used 
in Draft Biological Evaluations; Notice of Public Meeting

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (FWS), and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 
(collectively, the Services), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
(USDA) are holding a 2-day workshop to discuss potential refinements to 
the interim scientific methods used in the first nationwide draft 
biological evaluations for chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and malathion, 
released for public comment on April 11, 2016. These interim scientific 
methods were developed by EPA and the Services, with collaboration from 
USDA on crop production, pesticide use, and the spatial footprint of 
agricultural use patterns, in response to the 2013 National Academy of 
Sciences (NAS) report entitled, ``Assessing Risks to Endangered and 
Threatened Species from Pesticides.'' This workshop builds upon public 
meetings held in November 2013, April and October 2014, and April 2015, 
and provides a forum for stakeholders to offer scientific and technical 
feedback on three topics of interest: (1) Improving aquatic modeling, 
(2) refinements to Step 1 (making ``may affect'' or ``no effect'' 
determinations) and Step 2 (making ``likely to adversely affect'' or 
``not likely to adversely affect'' determinations), and (3) the weight 
of evidence approach. The workshop is not designed, or intended, to be 
a decision-making forum; consensus will not be sought, or developed at 
the meeting. This meeting is intended to further the agencies' goal of 
developing a sustainable methodology and process as part of the 
consultation process for assessing pesticide impacts on threatened and 
endangered (listed) species that is efficient, inclusive, and 
transparent.

DATES: The meeting will be held on June 29, 2016 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 
p.m. and June 30, 2016 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There will be a 
teleconference line and webinar available for those interested in 
calling in for introductory and concluding plenary sessions at the 
beginning and the end of the workshop. Attendees must register by June 
22, 2016 to attend either in person or via teleconference/webinar.
    To request accommodation of a disability, please contact the 
person(s) listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATON CONTACT, preferably at 
least 10 days prior to the meeting, to give EPA and the Services as 
much time as possible to process your request.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at FWS Skyline Bldg. 7, 5275 
Leesburg Pike, Bailey's Crossroads, VA 22041-3803, in the Rachel Carson 
Room. See Unit III for additional information.
    Requests to participate in the meeting, identified by docket 
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0233, may be submitted to 
the persons listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information and to 
register to attend, contact: Khue Nguyen, Pesticide Re-evaluation 
Division (7508P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-
0001; telephone number: 703-347-0248; email address: 
[email protected].
    For meeting logistics and special accommodations, contact: Leona 
Laniawe, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters, Ecological 
Services, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803; telephone: 
(703) 358-2640; email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. General Information

A. Does this action apply to me?

    You may be potentially affected by this action if you develop, 
manufacture, formulate, sell, and/or apply pesticide products, and if 
you are interested in the potential impacts of pesticide use on listed 
species. The following list of North American Industrial Classification 
System (NAICS) codes is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather 
provides a guide to help readers determine whether this document 
applies to them. Potentially affected entities may include:
     Crop Production (NAICS code 111).
     Animal Production (NAICS code 112).
     Food Manufacturing (NAICS code 311).

[[Page 36304]]

     Pesticide Manufacturing (NAICS code 32532).

B. How can I get copies of this document and other related information?

    The docket for this action, identified by docket ID number EPA-HQ-
OPP-2014-0233, is available at http://www.regulations.gov or at the 
Office of Pesticide Programs Regulatory Public Docket (OPP Docket) in 
the Environmental Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/DC), West 
William Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460-0001. The Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 
a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The 
telephone number for the Public Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the 
telephone number for the OPP Docket is (703) 305-5805. Please review 
the visitor instructions and additional information about the docket 
available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.

II. Background

    This workshop is an opportunity for stakeholders and agencies to 
continue their dialogue on the technical aspects of implementing the 
NAS recommendations in the context of ongoing interagency efforts to 
develop a method for assessing risks to endangered species. This 
workshop builds upon implementation of the enhanced stakeholder 
engagement process that was finalized in March 2013, and public 
meetings held in November 2013, April and October 2014, and April 2015. 
The workshop is not designed, or intended to be a decision-making 
forum; consensus will not be sought, or developed at the meeting. 
Stakeholders are invited to provide feedback and suggest ideas for 
further refinement in three topic areas related to the draft biological 
evaluations for the three pilot chemicals (chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and 
malathion): (1) Improving aquatic exposure modeling, (2) refinements to 
the interim method for Step 1 (making ``may affect'' or ``no effect'' 
determinations) and Step 2 (making ``likely to adversely affect'' or 
``not likely to adversely affect'' determinations), and (3) the 
approach to the weight of evidence.
    The structure of this workshop differs from the structure of 
previous workshops. Only the opening and concluding plenary sessions of 
the workshop will be open to the general public. The rest of the 
workshop is divided into 6 breakout groups. Each breakout group will 
discuss technical questions related to the three main topics of 
interest: (1) Improving aquatic modeling, (2) refinements to Step 1 and 
Step 2, and (3) the approach to the weight of evidence. Because of the 
highly technical nature of these topics, the breakout groups will be by 
invitation only during initial registration. Invitees with specialized 
expertise in the three topic areas will be identified by the workshop 
Steering Committee composed of members from EPA, FWS, NMFS, and 
representatives from industry, grower groups, and environmental non-
governmental organizations (NGOs). After initial registration, each 
breakout group will be open to the public on a first-come-first-served 
basis until maximum capacity is reached. Maximum capacity is 20 people 
per breakout group.
    The agencies' interim approach document entitled, ``Interagency 
Approach for Implementation of the National Academy of Sciences 
Report'', dated November 13, 2013, and the presentation materials from 
the November 2013 stakeholder workshop are available at: http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/endanger/2013/nas.html. Presentations supporting 
the previous stakeholder workshops held in April and October 2014 are 
available in the docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0233. Presentations supporting 
the stakeholder workshop in April 2015 and the draft biological 
evaluations for chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and malathion are available at: 
https://www.epa.gov/endangered-species/implementing-nas-report-recommendations-ecological-risk-assessment-endangered-and.
    Representatives from the federal agencies will participate in the 
breakout groups and plenary sessions to guide the discussion and answer 
clarifying questions regarding the need for refinement of the current 
interim methods. The agencies see this workshop as an integral 
component of the stakeholder engagement process developed for pesticide 
consultations that contributes to the agencies' commitment to adapt and 
refine the interim approaches as we progress through the initial 
pesticide consultations for chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and malathion.

III. How can I request to participate in this meeting?

    You may submit a request to participate in this meeting to the 
person(s) listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Do not submit 
any information in your request that is considered CBI. Requests to 
participate in the meeting, identified by docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-
2014-0233, must be received on or before June 22, 2016.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.

    Dated: May 31, 2016.
Michael Goodis,
Acting Director, Pesticide Re-evaluation Division, Office of Pesticide 
Programs.
[FR Doc. 2016-13301 Filed 6-3-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 108 / Monday, June 6, 2016 / Notices 36303

applied to these draft risk assessments. on the registration review case have species that is efficient, inclusive, and
The Agency will consider all comments been completed. transparent.
received during the public comment Authority: 7 U.S.C. 136 et seq. DATES: The meeting will be held on June
period and make changes, as 29, 2016 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and
Dated: May 31, 2016.
appropriate, to the draft ecological risk June 30, 2016 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00
assessments. After reviewing comments Michael Goodis,
p.m. There will be a teleconference line
received during the public comment Acting Director, Pesticide Re-Evaluation
Division, Office of Pesticide Programs. and webinar available for those
period, EPA may issue revised risk interested in calling in for introductory
assessments, explain any changes to the [FR Doc. 2016–13299 Filed 6–3–16; 8:45 am]
and concluding plenary sessions at the
draft risk assessments, and respond to BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
beginning and the end of the workshop.
comments, and may request public Attendees must register by June 22,
input on risk mitigation before 2016 to attend either in person or via
completing a proposed registration ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
teleconference/webinar.
review decision for the identified AGENCY
To request accommodation of a
pesticides. [EPA–HQ–OPP–2014–0233; FRL–9947–12] disability, please contact the person(s)
1. Other related information. listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATON
Additional information specific to Stakeholder Workshop To Discuss CONTACT, preferably at least 10 days
atrazine is available on the Pesticide Interim Scientific Methods Used in prior to the meeting, to give EPA and
Registration Review Status Web page for Draft Biological Evaluations; Notice of the Services as much time as possible to
this pesticide, https://www.epa.gov/ Public Meeting process your request.
ingredients-used-pesticide-products/ AGENCY: Environmental Protection ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
atrazine-background-and-updates. Agency (EPA). FWS Skyline Bldg. 7, 5275 Leesburg
Information on the Agency’s registration Pike, Bailey’s Crossroads, VA 22041–
ACTION: Notice.
review program and its implementing 3803, in the Rachel Carson Room. See
regulation is available at http:// SUMMARY: EPA’s Office of Pesticide Unit III for additional information.
www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/registration_ Programs, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Requests to participate in the meeting,
review. Service (FWS), and the National Marine identified by docket identification (ID)
2. Information submission Fisheries Service (NMFS) (collectively, number EPA–HQ–OPP–2014–0233, may
requirements. Anyone may submit data the Services), and the U.S. Department be submitted to the persons listed under
or information in response to this of Agriculture (USDA) are holding a 2- FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
document. To be considered during a day workshop to discuss potential FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
pesticide’s registration review, the refinements to the interim scientific general information and to register to
submitted data or information must methods used in the first nationwide attend, contact: Khue Nguyen, Pesticide
meet the following requirements: draft biological evaluations for Re-evaluation Division (7508P), Office
• To ensure that EPA will consider chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and malathion, of Pesticide Programs, Environmental
data or information submitted, released for public comment on April Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania
interested persons must submit the data 11, 2016. These interim scientific Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001;
or information during the comment methods were developed by EPA and telephone number: 703–347–0248;
period. The Agency may, at its the Services, with collaboration from email address: nguyen.khue@epa.gov.
discretion, consider data or information USDA on crop production, pesticide For meeting logistics and special
submitted at a later date. use, and the spatial footprint of accommodations, contact: Leona
• The data or information submitted agricultural use patterns, in response to Laniawe, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
must be presented in a legible and the 2013 National Academy of Sciences Headquarters, Ecological Services, 5275
useable form. For example, an English (NAS) report entitled, ‘‘Assessing Risks Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041–
translation must accompany any to Endangered and Threatened Species 3803; telephone: (703) 358–2640; email
material that is not in English and a from Pesticides.’’ This workshop builds address: leona_laniawe@fws.gov.
written transcript must accompany any upon public meetings held in November SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
information submitted as an 2013, April and October 2014, and April I. General Information
audiographic or videographic record. 2015, and provides a forum for
Written material may be submitted in stakeholders to offer scientific and A. Does this action apply to me?
paper or electronic form. technical feedback on three topics of You may be potentially affected by
• Submitters must clearly identify the interest: (1) Improving aquatic this action if you develop, manufacture,
source of any submitted data or modeling, (2) refinements to Step 1 formulate, sell, and/or apply pesticide
information. (making ‘‘may affect’’ or ‘‘no effect’’ products, and if you are interested in
• Submitters may request the Agency determinations) and Step 2 (making the potential impacts of pesticide use on
to reconsider data or information that ‘‘likely to adversely affect’’ or ‘‘not listed species. The following list of
the Agency rejected in a previous likely to adversely affect’’ North American Industrial
review. However, submitters must determinations), and (3) the weight of Classification System (NAICS) codes is
explain why they believe the Agency evidence approach. The workshop is not not intended to be exhaustive, but rather
should reconsider the data or designed, or intended, to be a decision- provides a guide to help readers
information in the pesticide’s making forum; consensus will not be
sradovich on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

determine whether this document
registration review. sought, or developed at the meeting. applies to them. Potentially affected
As provided in 40 CFR 155.58, the This meeting is intended to further the entities may include:
registration review docket for each agencies’ goal of developing a • Crop Production (NAICS code 111).
pesticide case will remain publicly sustainable methodology and process as • Animal Production (NAICS code
accessible through the duration of the part of the consultation process for 112).
registration review process; that is, until assessing pesticide impacts on • Food Manufacturing (NAICS code
all actions required in the final decision threatened and endangered (listed) 311).

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36304 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 108 / Monday, June 6, 2016 / Notices

• Pesticide Manufacturing (NAICS modeling, (2) refinements to Step 1 and Authority: 7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.
code 32532). Step 2, and (3) the approach to the Dated: May 31, 2016.
weight of evidence. Because of the Michael Goodis,
B. How can I get copies of this document
highly technical nature of these topics,
and other related information? Acting Director, Pesticide Re-evaluation
the breakout groups will be by Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
The docket for this action, identified invitation only during initial
[FR Doc. 2016–13301 Filed 6–3–16; 8:45 am]
by docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP– registration. Invitees with specialized
2014–0233, is available at http:// BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
expertise in the three topic areas will be
www.regulations.gov or at the Office of identified by the workshop Steering
Pesticide Programs Regulatory Public Committee composed of members from
Docket (OPP Docket) in the EPA, FWS, NMFS, and representatives FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION
Environmental Protection Agency from industry, grower groups, and
Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William Farm Credit Administration Board;
environmental non-governmental
Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301 Sunshine Act; Regular Meeting
organizations (NGOs). After initial
Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, registration, each breakout group will be AGENCY: Farm Credit Administration.
DC 20460–0001. The Public Reading open to the public on a first-come-first- SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given,
Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 served basis until maximum capacity is pursuant to the Government in the
p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding reached. Maximum capacity is 20 Sunshine Act, of the regular meeting of
legal holidays. The telephone number people per breakout group. the Farm Credit Administration Board
for the Public Reading Room is (202) The agencies’ interim approach (Board).
566–1744, and the telephone number for document entitled, ‘‘Interagency
the OPP Docket is (703) 305–5805. Approach for Implementation of the DATES: Date and Time: The regular
Please review the visitor instructions National Academy of Sciences Report’’, meeting of the Board will be held at the
and additional information about the dated November 13, 2013, and the offices of the Farm Credit
docket available at http://www.epa.gov/ presentation materials from the Administration in McLean, Virginia, on
dockets. November 2013 stakeholder workshop June 9, 2016, from 9:00 a.m. until such
are available at: http://www.epa.gov/ time as the Board concludes its
II. Background business.
oppfead1/endanger/2013/nas.html.
This workshop is an opportunity for Presentations supporting the previous FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dale
stakeholders and agencies to continue stakeholder workshops held in April L. Aultman, Secretary to the Farm
their dialogue on the technical aspects and October 2014 are available in the Credit Administration Board, (703) 883–
of implementing the NAS docket EPA–HQ–OPP–2014–0233. 4009, TTY (703) 883–4056.
recommendations in the context of Presentations supporting the ADDRESSES: Farm Credit
ongoing interagency efforts to develop a stakeholder workshop in April 2015 and
Administration, 1501 Farm Credit Drive,
method for assessing risks to the draft biological evaluations for McLean, Virginia 22102–5090. Submit
endangered species. This workshop chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and malathion attendance requests via email to
builds upon implementation of the are available at: https://www.epa.gov/ VisitorRequest@FCA.gov. See
enhanced stakeholder engagement endangered-species/implementing-nas- SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for further
process that was finalized in March report-recommendations-ecological- information about attendance requests.
2013, and public meetings held in risk-assessment-endangered-and.
November 2013, April and October SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Parts of
Representatives from the federal
2014, and April 2015. The workshop is this meeting of the Board will be open
agencies will participate in the breakout
not designed, or intended to be a to the public (limited space available),
groups and plenary sessions to guide the
decision-making forum; consensus will and parts will be closed to the public.
discussion and answer clarifying
not be sought, or developed at the Please send an email to VisitorRequest@
questions regarding the need for
meeting. Stakeholders are invited to refinement of the current interim FCA.gov at least 24 hours before the
provide feedback and suggest ideas for methods. The agencies see this meeting. In your email include: Name,
further refinement in three topic areas workshop as an integral component of postal address, entity you are
related to the draft biological the stakeholder engagement process representing (if applicable), and
evaluations for the three pilot chemicals developed for pesticide consultations telephone number. You will receive an
(chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and malathion): that contributes to the agencies’ email confirmation from us. Please be
(1) Improving aquatic exposure commitment to adapt and refine the prepared to show a photo identification
modeling, (2) refinements to the interim interim approaches as we progress when you arrive. If you need assistance
method for Step 1 (making ‘‘may affect’’ through the initial pesticide for accessibility reasons, or if you have
or ‘‘no effect’’ determinations) and Step consultations for chlorpyrifos, diazinon, any questions, contact Dale L. Aultman,
2 (making ‘‘likely to adversely affect’’ or and malathion. Secretary to the Farm Credit
‘‘not likely to adversely affect’’ Administration Board, at (703) 883–
determinations), and (3) the approach to III. How can I request to participate in 4009. The matters to be considered at
the weight of evidence. this meeting? the meeting are:
The structure of this workshop differs You may submit a request to Open Session
from the structure of previous participate in this meeting to the
workshops. Only the opening and person(s) listed under FOR FURTHER A. Approval of Minutes
sradovich on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

concluding plenary sessions of the INFORMATION CONTACT. Do not submit • May 12, 2016
workshop will be open to the general any information in your request that is
public. The rest of the workshop is considered CBI. Requests to participate B. Reports
divided into 6 breakout groups. Each in the meeting, identified by docket ID • Annual Report on the Farm Credit
breakout group will discuss technical number EPA–HQ–OPP–2014–0233, System’s Young, Beginning, and Small
questions related to the three main must be received on or before June 22, Farmer Mission Performance: 2015
topics of interest: (1) Improving aquatic 2016. Results

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Document Created: 2016-06-04 00:16:41
Document Modified: 2016-06-04 00:16:41

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice.
Dates		The meeting will be held on June 29, 2016 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and June 30, 2016 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There will be a teleconference line and webinar available for those interested in calling in for introductory and concluding plenary sessions at the beginning and the end of the workshop. Attendees must register by June 22, 2016 to attend either in person or via teleconference/webinar.
Contact		For general information and to register to attend, contact: Khue Nguyen, Pesticide Re-evaluation Division (7508P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-
FR Citation		81 FR 36303