For Release: April 2, 2015

On April 15, 2015, EPA and its federal partners, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, will hold a one-day workshop.  This workshop will provide a forum for stakeholders to offer scientific and technical feedback on the ongoing efforts to develop draft Biological Evaluations (BEs) for three pilot chemicals (chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and malathion) by EPA, FWS, NMFS and USDA in response to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) report entitled, “Assessing Risks to Endangered and Threatened Species from Pesticides.” 

The workshop is an opportunity for stakeholders and agencies to continue their dialogue on the technical aspects of further developing interim scientific methods that were issued in November 2013. 

This meeting builds on the previously held public meetings in November and December 2013, April 2014 and October 2014, and is part of the enhancement of the stakeholder engagement process that was finalized in March 2013. This public meeting furthers the agencies’ goal of developing a consultation process for pesticide impacts on listed species that is efficient, inclusive and transparent. 

Go to www.regulations.gov, docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0233 for the Federal Register Notice of Public Meeting. More information, the meeting agenda and the agencies’ presentations can be found on the Protecting Endangered Species from Pesticides web site. 

For general information contact: Catherine Eiden, Pesticide Re-evaluation Division (7508P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (703) 305-7887; email address: eiden.catherine@epa.gov.  

For information on the webinar, meeting logistics or registration contact: Leona Laniawe, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters, Ecological Services, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803; telephone: (703) 358-2640; fax (703) 358-1800; email address: leona_laniawe@fws.gov. 

Workshop Date and Time
The workshop will be held on April 15, 2015, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The workshop will be available via webinar for those interested in attending the workshop remotely.  A teleconference line will also be available.  Webinar and teleconference information will be provided to participants after they register for the workshop. All requests to participate in the workshop in person, or via webinar and teleconference must be received on or before April 7, 2015.  

Workshop Location
The meeting will be held at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Skyline, Building 7, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Bailey's Crossroads, Virginia. Public parking is available, follow the blue signs to the lot. There is fee for all day use. The meeting will be held in the Rachel Carson Room. You will need to present identification (either government issued personal identity verification card or state driver’s license) at the security check-in.

This meeting is accessible to people with disabilities. Sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids are available upon request at least 10 days prior to the meeting by contacting leona_laniawe@fws.gov.