This was posted on a listserv from another state. I have received permission
to publish it on the Northern Virginia LISTSERV. It is topical and local:
PROPOSED RULE AIMS TO EXEMPT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Currently, under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), all
pesticide decisions made by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are
subject to review by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine
Fisheries Service (collectively, "the services") where endangered species
may be impacted.
A proposed new rule would allow the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
to exempt itself from the need to consult with the services regarding the
effects its decisions on pesticides have on endangered species. By
circumventing this requirement, the EPA will be free to make decisions
affecting America's endangered species without input from the very people
charged with their protection.
The proposed ruling, published in the Federal Register on January 24, would
give EPA the ability to register and re-register pesticides solely based on
the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), a law never
designed to take the place of the ESA or specifically protect endangered
species. By taking critical review away from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, the rule would undermine the ESA, and jeopardize our nation's
wildlife heritage.
"What is most disturbing is that these new rules were written after months
of discussion with industry representatives but no input at all from the
conservation community," said Dr. Patti Bright, Director of the Pesticides
and Birds Campaign of American Bird Conservancy. "It is appalling to think
that essentially industry is controlling pesticide regulation and
endangered species protection at the EPA. The fox is in charge of the hen
house."
Pesticides still kill millions of birds annually. For example, fenthion,
has killed numerous birds, including endangered Piping Plovers in Florida.
Another widely used pesticide coming up for EPA re-registration review,
brodifacoum, (the active ingredient of the rodenticide D-Con) has killed
Golden Eagles out west.
Members of the newly-formed National Pesticide Coalition will utilize a
45-day comment period to organize an effort to have the proposed rule
struck down. The coalition comprises 15 nationally-recognized groups, all
concerned with the detrimental effects of pesticides on wildlife, the
environment, and public health.
You can find related articles at
http://www.americanbirding.org/news/birdnews.htm and
http://www.abcbirds.org/media/releases/epa-esa_release.htm ;
Check here for more details from the American Bird Conservancy on
pesticides and birds:
<http://www.abcbirds.org/pesticides/pesticideindex.htm>
Harry Glasgow
aglasgow@xxxxxxx
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