Environmental Protection Agency December 30, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

EPA does not object to the proposed project. Rating LO.

In accordance with section 122(i) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as amended by the Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act (``CERCLA''), notice is hereby given of a proposed settlement to resolve claims against P.M. Northwest Inc., Shell Oil Company, and Texaco Inc. The proposed settlement concerns the federal government's past response costs at the PM Northwest Site, located on the Swinomish Indian Reservation, near Laconnor, Washington. The settlement requires the settling parties, PM Northwest Inc., Shell Oil Company, and Texaco Inc., to pay $170,000 to the Hazardous Substance Superfund.

EPA issued a notice in the Federal Register of November 30, 2005, concerning the initial filing of a pesticide petition proposing the establishment of regulations for residues of mancozeb in or on almond nuts and hulls; broccoli, cabbage, lettuce and peppers; and imported oranges/mandarins with a 30-day public comment period. This document is extending the comment period for 20 days, from December 30, 2005 to January 19, 2006.

EPA issued a notice in the Federal Register of November 30, 2005, concerning the initial filing of a pesticide petition proposing the establishment of regulations for residues of metiram: a mixture of 5.2 parts by weight of ammoniates of ethylenebis(dithiocarbamato) zinc with 1 part by weight ethylenebis (dithiocarbamic acid) bimolecular and trimolecular cyclic anhydrosulfides and disulfides, calculated as zinc ethylenebisdithiocarbamate in or on imported grapes and bananas with a 30-day public comment period. This document is extending the comment period for 20 days, from December 30, 2005 to January 19, 2006.

This notice announces the availability of EPA's Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for the pesticide Aquashade, and opens a public comment period on this document. The Agency's risk assessments and other related documents also are available in the Aquashade docket. The dyes erioglaucine (Acid Blue 9 or FD&C Blue No. 1) and tartrazine (Acid Yellow 23 or FD&C Yellow No. 5), when combined, act as an aquatic algaecide/herbicide, commonly referred to by the trade name Aquashade. It can be used in natural or manmade ponds, lakes, fountains, fish farms, and fish hatcheries, and may be applied by both professional applicators and homeowners. EPA has reviewed Aquashade through a streamlined public participation process that the Agency uses to involve the public in developing pesticide reregistration and tolerance reassessment decisions. Through these programs, EPA is ensuring that all pesticides meet current health and safety standards.

EPA is taking direct final action to interpret and clarify the 2006 default standard applicable under the Renewable Fuel Program set forth in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The Act requires that 2.78 volume percent of gasoline sold or dispensed to consumers in the U.S. in 2006 be renewable fuel if EPA does not promulgate comprehensive regulations to implement the Renewable Fuel Program by August 8, 2006. Given the short timeframe available and the need to provide certainty to the regulated community, the Agency is finalizing a limited set of regulations for the default standard for 2006 that will provide for collective compliance by refiners, blenders, and importers to meet the 2.78 volume percent requirement, with compliance determined by looking at the national pool of gasoline sold in 2006. The Agency will develop and promulgate the comprehensive program subsequent to this action.