Category: News

WASHINGTON – On June 13, 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a direct final rule to revise the Land Disposal Restriction (LDR) treatment standard for carbamate wastes to ensure that the wastes are adequately treated before land disposal to minimize risks to people’s health and the environment.

Carbamate wastes are wastes generated from the production of pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides.  Due to their toxicity, carbamate wastes are regulated as hazardous wastes under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Today’s action will extend Best Demonstrated Available Technology (BDAT) as an alternative treatment standard for all carbamate wastes.  This alternative treatment standard will help industries comply with stringent hazardous waste disposal regulations and allow EPA to enforce these regulations to their fullest extent.

The public comment period on the rule closed on July 13, 2011.  The rule will be effective on August 12, 2011.

More information on the rule:  http://www.epa.gov/wastes/hazard/tsd/ldr/rules11.htm

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today issued an order to E.I. DuPont de Nemours (DuPont) directing the company to immediately halt the sale, use or distribution of Imprelis, an herbicide marketed to control weeds that has been reported to be harming a large number of trees, including Norway spruce and white pine. The order, issued under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), requires DuPont to stop the sale and distribution of Imprelis in the U.S. and outlines specific conditions to ensure that  the removal of Imprelis from the market meets legal requirements.

This action follows EPA’s investigation into why a large number of evergreens and other trees have been harmed following the use of the herbicide. In its evaluation, EPA is investigating whether these incidents are the result of product misuse, inadequate warnings and use directions on the product’s label, persistence in soil and plant material, uptake of the product through the root systems and absorbed into the plant tissue, environmental factors, potential runoff issues or other possible causes.

On June 17, 2011, DuPont issued a letter to professional applicators cautioning against the use of Imprelis where Norway spruce or white pine trees are present on, or in close proximity to, the property being treated. On July 27, 2011, DuPont acknowledged to the EPA that there has been damage to trees associated with Imprelis use and the company had developed an internet web page to provide information and updates concerning Imprelis use.

On August 4, 2011, DuPont voluntarily suspended sales of Imprelis and announced that it will soon conduct a product return and refund program.

FIFRA is a federal law that requires the registration of pesticide products and pesticide-production facilities, and the proper labeling of pesticides. This requirement protects public health and the environment by ensuring safe production, handling, and application of pesticides and by preventing false or misleading product claims.

Information about today’s order: www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/cases/civil/fifra/dupontimprelis.html

Information about EPA’s investigation into Imprelis and damage to trees: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/regulating/imprelis.html

USEPA recently amended the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Area Sources: Plating and Polishing 40 CFR 63 Subpart WWWWWW (6W) on June 14, 2011.  The new amendment excludes bench-scale plating or polishing, as well as, a few other definitions and refinements to the rule. For more information please click here

The Northern Nevada International Center (NNIC) will host its first event of the 2011-12 World Affairs Council Speaker Series on the topic of the US-Latin American Relations: Opportunities in Trade, Migration, and Investment. Latin America is a rising economic hub considered important by the United States, the European Union, and China. Despite problems with violence and drug trafficking, Latin America exhibits growth rates in various sectors and the talk will provide invaluable insights about the significance of the region’s economic surge.

Luis Navarro is the past president of the US-Mexico Chamber of Commerce, Pacific NW Chapter and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Reno Nevada, and past VP of Blacks in Government (Port of Seattle Chapter). Luis regularly speaks on topics such as economic contribution by minorities, in particular Latinos in the United States and the benefits of global trade. Our speaker will explore some of the opportunities presented by Latin America’s emergence as an economic powerhouse and discuss strategies for American business owners who wish to take advantage of these opportunities.

The presentation will be on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at the Ramada Reno Hotel Casino on 1000 E. 6^th Street between Wells and Sutro. Parking will be available and free. The presentation starts at 9:00 AM which will include breakfast. The general audience pays $15.00 per person (includes full breakfast) and NNIC members are free of charge.

Must RSVP to: CLICK ME or (775) 784.7515, extension 221.

Agency seeking public comment

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today is releasing its draft Scientific Integrity Policy for public comment.  The draft policy reflects the Obama Administration’s commitment to the ethical standards and transparency necessary for ensuring the highest quality science.

The draft Scientific Integrity Policy was developed in response to a December 2010 memorandum from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.  The memorandum charged federal agencies to develop policies in four areas: foundations of scientific integrity in government, public communications, use of federal advisory committees, and professional development of government scientists and engineers.

EPA’s draft Scientific Integrity Policy was developed by an ad hoc workgroup consisting of senior staff and scientists from the agency’s programs and regions.  The draft policy addresses the promotion of scientific ethical standards, including quality standards; communications with the public; the use of advisory committees and peer review; and professional development, as well as the roles and responsibilities of a new Scientific Integrity Committee.

Public comments will be taken through September 6.

EPA’s draft Scientific Integrity Policy is available at: http://www.epa.gov/osa

Historically, federal, state and local government have managed environmental issues through regulation, assessing potential harm to human health and instituting policies that minimize risks.  The result has been both environmental and human health protection governed by a myriad of requirements, reports and restrictions.  The aspiration of product stewardship – seeking “producers” of products to influence consumer behavior, finance the end of life disposal of products and improve the design of their products – has also been translated into law and regulation in many states and provinces. While the goal of product stewardship – zero waste – is almost always beyond reproach, using the regulatory process is arguably not.

Consumer behavior change is not typically achievable through comprehensive regulation unless there is an immediate danger to human health (think cigarettes).  Government needs to take a lighter hand with regulation and a more prominent role as an enabler.

Consumers don’t believe product manufacturers’ green claims and don’t consider them to be credible sources for environmental information on issues like recycling.  Exposés on “green-washing” (see the Sins of Green-Washing –<a href=”http://www.sinsofgreenwashing.org” target=”_blank”) routinely illustrate this concern.  In fact, government information has shown to have the greatest credibility regarding environmental information among consumers.  It’s a task that government cannot abdicate as part of broader efforts to make manufacturers more responsible for the products they put into the marketplace.  Governments must partner with product stewardship programs to change behaviors.

Read the complete article at Environmental Leader