98-34697. Preliminary Draft Pesticides, Alkyl-Lead, and Octachlorostyrene Reports Published in Response to the United States' Challenge Goals in ``The Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy; Canada United States Strategy for the Virtual Elimination ...

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 251 (Thursday, December 31, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 72311]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-34697]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6213-7]


Preliminary Draft Pesticides, Alkyl-Lead, and Octachlorostyrene 
Reports Published in Response to the United States' Challenge Goals in 
``The Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy; Canada-- United States 
Strategy for the Virtual Elimination of Persistent Toxic Substances in 
the Great Lakes''

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of Availability of Preliminary Draft Pesticides, Alkyl-
Lead, and Octachlorostyrene Reports published in response to the United 
States' challenge goals in ``The Great Lakes Binational Toxics 
Strategy; Canada--United States Strategy for the Virtual Elimination of 
Persistent Toxic Substances in the Great Lakes,'' and opportunity to 
comment.

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SUMMARY: ``The Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy; Canada-- United 
States Strategy for the Virtual Elimination of Persistent Toxic 
Substances in the Great Lakes (the Strategy),'' was signed on April 7, 
1997. The Strategy set forth a number of challenges to be met on the 
path toward virtual elimination of the Level I Strategy substances. Two 
of these challenges required USEPA to report by the end of 1998, 
indicating whether the respective challenges had been met. These 
challenges are as follows:
    U.S. Challenge: Confirm by 1998 that there is no longer use or 
release from sources that enter the Great Lakes Basin of five 
bioaccumulative pesticides (chlordane, aldrin/dieldrin, DDT, mirex, and 
toxaphene), and of the industrial byproduct/contaminant 
octachlorostyrene. If ongoing, long-range sources of these substances 
from outside of the U.S. are confirmed, work within international 
frameworks to reduce or phase out releases of these substances.
    U.S. Challenge: Confirm by 1998, that there is no longer use of 
alkyl-lead in automotive gasoline. Support and encourage stakeholder 
efforts to reduce alkyl-lead releases from other sources.
    Two preliminary draft reports have been prepared in response to the 
first challenge, one regarding the five bioaccumulative pesticides 
(chlordane, aldrin/dieldrin, DDT, mirex, and toxaphene), and one 
regarding the industrial byproduct/contaminant octachlorostyrene. A 
third preliminary draft report was prepared to respond to the alkyl-
lead challenge.
    All three of these reports can be found on the internet at the 
following address: http://www.epa.gov/bns/. Commenters may transmit 
their comments electronically by following the directions provided on 
the website, or may send written comments to Elizabeth LaPlante at the 
following address: U.S. EPA, Great Lakes National Program Office, 77 
West Jackson Boulevard, G-17J, Chicago, Illinois, 60604. Comments may 
also be sent to Ms. LaPlante via facsimile at [phone].

DATES: The preliminary draft reports will be made available to the 
public by December 31, 1998. Comments on the reports must be submitted 
no later than March 1, 1999.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Additional information on the Great Lakes 
Binational Toxics Strategy, or the draft reports, may be obtained by 
contacting Elizabeth LaPlante by phone at [phone], via E-mail at 
the address ``[e-mail]'' or at the address or fax 
number listed above.

    Dated: December 23, 1998.
David A. Ullrich,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 5.
[FR Doc. 98-34697 Filed 12-30-98; 8:45 am]
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