Locations For EPA Hydraulic Fracturing Study Proposed

As part of the congressionally mandated hydraulic fracturing study. EPA has identified seven case studies it will use in the assessment of potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources. The sites identified were selected following input from stakeholders, including the public, local and state officials, industry, and environmental organizations. EPA will begin field work in some of the selected regions this summer.

The studies will take place in several regions across the country, and are broken into two study groups. Two of the seven sites were selected as prospective case studies where EPA will monitor key aspects of the hydraulic fracturing process throughout the lifecycle of a well.

These areas are located in:
Haynesville Shale - DeSoto Parish, LA
Marcellus Shale - Washington County, PA

Five retrospective case studies were selected and will examine areas where hydraulic fracturing has already occurred for any impact on drinking water resources. These are located in:

Bakken Shale - Kildeer, and Dunn Counties, ND
Barnett Shale - Wise and Denton Counties, TX
Marcellus Shale - Bradford and Susquehanna Counties, PA.
Marcellus Shale - Washington County, PA
Raton Basin - Las Animas County, CO

The information gathered from these case studies will include literature review, collection of data and information from states, industry and communities, laboratory work and computer modeling.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Environmental Review and Environmental Impact Assessment.

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EPA To Review Nanoscale Materials In Pesticides

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced plans to obtain information on nanoscale materials in pesticide products. EPA will gather information on what nanoscale materials are present in pesticide products to determine whether the registration of a pesticide may cause unreasonable adverse effects on the environment and human health.

A number of organizations, as well as government, academic and private sector scientists, have considered whether the small size of nanoscale materials or the unique or enhanced properties of nanoscale materials may, under specific conditions, pose new or increased hazards to humans and the environment. EPA also has acknowledged that nanoscale materials have a range of potentially beneficial public and commercial applications, including pest control products.

The new proposed policy options will be published in the Federal Register. The notice is expected to also propose a new approach for how EPA will determine whether a nanoscale ingredient is a “new” active or inert ingredient for purposes of scientific evaluation under the pesticide laws, when an identical, non-nanoscale form of the nanoscale ingredient is already registered under FIFRA.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Environmental Review and Environmental Impact Assessment.

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EPA Ban On Sale of Mouse and Rat Poisons To Residential Consumers

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced that it intends to ban the sale to residential consumers of the most toxic rat and mouse poisons, as well as most loose bait and pellet products. The agency is also requiring that all newly registered rat and mouse poisons marketed to residential consumers be enclosed in bait stations that render the pesticide inaccessible to children and pets and reduce the opportunity that wildlife consume bait or poisoned rodents.

In 2008, EPA gave producers of rat and mouse poison until June 4, 2011 to research, develop and register new products that would be safer for children, pets and wildlife. Over the past three years, EPA has worked with a number of companies to achieve that goal, and there are now new products on the market with new bait delivery systems and less toxic baits. These products are considered to be safer to children, as well as pets and wildlife, but still provide effective rodent control for residential consumers.

While many companies that produce rat and mouse poison products have agreed to adopt the new safety measures, a handful of companies have advised EPA that they do not plan to do so. Consequently, EPA intends to initiate cancellation proceedings under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to remove them from the market:

In addition to requiring more-protective bait stations and prohibiting pellet formulations, EPA intends to ban the sale and distribution of rodenticide products containing brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difethialone and difenacoum directly to residential consumers because of their toxicity and the secondary poisoning hazards to wildlife. These rodenticides will still be available for use by professional pest control applicators and will also be allowed for use in agricultural settings.

Caltha LLP provides expert consulting services to public and private sector clients nationwide to address Environmental Review and Environmental Impact Assessment.

Caltha Environmental Review Website