For Release: January 20, 2015

On January 20, 2015, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued its final Biological Opinion concerning the potential effects of the pesticides diflubenzuron, fenbutatin oxide and propargite on federally listed threatened and endangered Pacific salmon and steelhead and their designated critical habitat.

NMFS worked with EPA, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the pesticide registrants on suggested changes to the pesticide labels before completing the Biological Opinion. NMFS found that the proposed changes reduced risk but did not provide enough protections to avoid jeopardy or adverse modification of critical habitat, so the Biological Opinion recommends reasonable and prudent alternatives to protect Pacific salmon and steelhead. EPA will consider the opinion and will determine what additional mitigation measures are needed for these pesticides. We will keep the public informed as we proceed.

The Biological Opinion is available at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/consultation/pesticide_schedule.htm and will also be included in docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0654 at www.regulations.gov.