E9-5863. National Bed Bug Summit; Notice of Public Meeting

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

EPA is planning a meeting to be held on April 14 through April 15, 2009, on the topic of bed bug resurgence in the United States. The aim of the session will be to share information and knowledge on the topic of bed bugs and their newfound resurgence, provide a venue to identify ideas and opinions for their control, and develop recommendations as how affected stakeholders, communities, and local jurisdictions can begin to address the emerging nationwide bed bug problem. The agenda for this meeting is under development and will be posted on our website in advance of the meeting and also placed in the docket for this meeting.

DATES:

The meeting will be held on April 14 and 15, 2009, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the first day, and from 9 a.m. to noon on the last day.

To request accommodation of a disability, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATON CONTACT, preferably at least 10 days prior to the meeting, to give EPA as much time as possible to process your request.

ADDRESSES:

The meeting will be held in the EPA East Building at 12^th and Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. For directions, go to: http://www.epa.gov/​epahome/​hq.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Karen Angulo, Registration Division (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: [phone]; fax number: [phone]; e-mail address: angulo.karen @epa.gov.

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 work in agricultural settings or persons who are concerned about implementation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA); the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA); and the amendments to both of these major pesticide laws by the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996. 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. If you have questions regarding 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 a docket for this action under docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0190. Publicly available docket materials are available either in the electronic docket at http://www.regulations.gov, or, if only available in hard copy, at the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) Regulatory Public Docket in Rm. S-4400, One Potomac Yard (South Bldg.), 2777 S. Crystal Dr., Arlington, VA. The hours of operation of this Docket Facility are from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The Docket Facility 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.

II. Background

The resurgence of the common bed bug is increasingly reaching levels that are critical and affecting all areas of the country. As this resilient pest has become a nationwide problem affecting hotels, universities, and homes in the general population, it is important that the EPA assist in exploring means of effectively identifying challenges and ways to remedy this pest concern. Potential participants for this forum include Federal, State, and local government agencies responsible for public health and public housing; researchers and academicians; health, housing and environmental advocacy organizations; the pest management industry; pesticide manufacturers; and other interested parties. All interested parties are encouraged to participate and share in the development of strategies to address the national bed bug dilemma. However, due to space limitations, registration is limited to 135 participants.

III. How Can I Request to Participate in this Meeting?

The National Bed Bug Summit meeting is open to the public and seating is available on a first come basis. Persons interested in attending do not need to register in advance of the meeting and there is no registration fee. Further information on the location of the meeting, please view the Agency’s website at http://www.epa.gov/​epahome/​hq.htm. Lodging and transportation are not being provided.

List of Subjects

• Environmental protection
• Chemicals
• Pesticides and pests
• Public health

Dated: March 10, 2009.

Lois Rossi,

Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.