E6-1711. Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee, Workgroup on Pesticide Worker Safety Regulations; Notice of Public Meeting

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

EPA's Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC), Workgroup on Pesticide Worker Safety Regulations will hold a public meeting on February 27, 2006. An agenda for this meeting is being developed and will be posted on EPA's website at http://www.epa.gov/​oppfead1/​cb/​ppdc/​. The workgroup will provide input and advice on regulatory changes being considered to the Worker Protection Standard (40 CFR part 170) and the Certification of Pesticide Applicators (40 CFR part 171).

DATES:

The meeting will be held on Monday, February 27, 2006, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ADDRESSES:

The meeting will be held at EPA's offices at 1801 S. Bell St. (formerly 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy.), Crystal Mall #2, Rm. 1110 (the Fishbowl), Arlington, VA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Kathy Davis, Field and External Affairs Division (7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: [phone]; fax number: [phone]; e-mail address: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

This action is directed to the public in general, and may be of particular interest to persons who are concerned about implementation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA); the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) and amendments; and regulation for the Certification of Pesticide Applicators. Other potentially affected entities may include, but are not limited to, agricultural workers and farmers; pesticide industry and trade associations; environmental, consumer, and farmworker groups; pesticide users and growers; pest consultants; State, local, and Tribal governments; academia; public health organizations; food processors; and the public. Since other entities may also be interested, the Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may be affected by this action. If you have questions about the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

B. How Can I Get Copies of this Document and Other Related Information?

1. Docket. EPA has established an official public docket for this action under docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2005-0561. The official public docket consists of the documents specifically referenced in this action, any public comments received, and other information related to this action. Although a part of the official docket, the public docket does not include Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. The official public docket is the collection of materials that is available for public viewing at the Public Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Rm. 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA. This docket facility is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The docket telephone number is [phone].

2. Electronic access. You may access this Federal Register document electronically through the EPA Internet under the “Federal Register” listings at http://www.epa.gov/​fedrgstr/​. EDOCKET, EPA's electronic public docket and comment system was replaced on November 25, 2005, by an enhanced, Federal-wide electronic docket management and comment system located at http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions.

An electronic version of the public docket is available through EPA's electronic public docket and comment system, EPA Dockets. You may use EPA Dockets at http://www.regulations.gov to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the official public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select “search,” then key in the appropriate docket ID number.

II. Background

EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) is entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the safety of the American food supply, the protection and education of those who apply or are exposed to pesticides occupationally or through use of products, and the general protection of the environment and special ecosystems from potential risks posed by pesticides.

The PPDC was established under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), Public Law 92-463, in September 1995 for a 2-year term and has been renewed every 2 years since that time. PPDC provides advice and recommendations to OPP on a broad range of pesticide regulatory, policy, and program implementation issues that are associated with evaluating and reducing risks from use of pesticides. The following sectors are represented on the PPDC: Pesticide industry and trade associations; environmental/public interest and consumer groups; farm worker organizations; pesticide user, grower, and commodity groups; Federal and State/local/Tribal governments; the general public; academia; and public health organizations. Copies of the PPDC charter are filed with appropriate committees of Congress and the Library of Congress and are available upon request.

List of Subjects

• Environmental protection
• Pesticides and pests

Dated: January 31, 2006

James Jones,

Director, Office of Pesticide Programs.