US EPA extends comment period on draft biological evaluations for carbaryl and methomyl

EPA is extending the public comment period for 45 days on the draft biological evaluations (BEs) for the insecticides carbaryl and methomyl. The comment period will now close on July 2, 2020.

Comments can be submitted to the docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2020-0090 at www.regulations.gov.

EPA held a public webinar on April 16, 2020, to present the draft BEs and to answer clarifying questions from the public. EPA is extending the comment period deadline as a result of several stakeholder requests. It is important to EPA to ensure there is adequate time to solicit feedback from all stakeholders. Therefore, the Agency is extending the comment period.

EPA used its revised method for conducting BEs to assess whether registered uses for these pesticides may impact endangered species. EPA announced the revised method and the draft BEs for carbaryl and methomyl in March 2020.

The revised method incorporates pesticide usage data into the Agency’s biological evaluation process for the first time. It was informed by input from a wide range of stakeholders including states, tribes, environmental NGOs, and agricultural stakeholders.

The Endangered Species Act requires federal agencies to determine whether their actions may affect listed species and their designated critical habitat. Biological evaluations are the first step in the interagency consultation process to protect listed species and their habitats.

To view the draft biological evaluations for carbaryl and methomyl, view the revised method document, and learn more about how EPA protects endangered species from pesticides, visit https://www.epa.gov/endangered-species.

To view the webinar slides, please visit the carbaryl and methomyl BE docket at https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EPA-HQ-OPP-2020-0090-0011.