Revised ESA Biological Evaluation Method Public Meeting
June 10, 2019, 9 am  -  12 pm EST (arrive early to allow time to clear security)

Webinar Information:  https://epawebconferencing.acms.com/esapublicmeeting/

Location:  Lobby-level Conference Center of EPA's Potomac Yard South Building (One Potomac Yard), 2777 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202-4501; approximately one mile from the Crystal City Metro Station.

Purpose
EPA is hosting the public meeting to present the draft Revised Method for conducting national level threatened and endangered (listed) species biological evaluations (BEs) for pesticides and to provide an additional opportunity for the public to provide feedback. The draft Revised Method is currently available for public comment (https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EPA-HQ-OPP-2019-0185) through July 1, 2019. EPA also is providing an opportunity to answer clarifying questions from the public, with the goal of improving the overall quality of comments from stakeholders during the public comment period.

Background
The Revised Method is an outgrowth of the interim methods, which were initially developed by EPA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Marine Fisheries Services, with input from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, based on recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences. Biological evaluations are the first step in the interagency consultation process to protect listed species and their designated critical habitats. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the "Farm Bill") tasks an interagency Working Group with improving the consultation process required under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536) for pesticide registration and registration review. The Farm Bill specifies that the Working Group shall consult with stakeholders as appropriate. 

Objectives
 Present the draft Revised Method available for public comment
 Provide an additional opportunity for the public to provide feedback on the draft Revised Method
 Provide an opportunity for the public to ask clarifying questions to inform the nature of their written comments
 Help stakeholders understand the Revised Method to facilitate the submission of high quality, useful comments during the public comment period

EPA's objective in revising the method is to provide a sustainable methodology and process for assessing pesticide impacts on listed species that is efficient, protective, transparent, and scientifically defensible. The method is expected to meaningfully distinguish species that are likely to be exposed to and affected by the assessed pesticides from those that are not likely, in a manner that remains consistent with the National Academy of Sciences' recommendations.


Agenda

(1) Welcome (30 minutes) 

9:00 am  -  9:30 am
 Introductory Remarks by Senior Leaders 

(2) Revised Method Presentations (total time 1 hour and 30 minutes) 

9:30 am  -  9:45 am: (15 min) Overview of Revised Method 

9:45 am  -  10:05 am: (20 min) Usage Data and its Application in ESA Assessments 

10:05 am  -  10:20 am: (15 min) Methods for Estimating Exposure in Aquatic and Terrestrial Habitats 

10:20 am  -  10:35 am: (15 min) Break

10:35 am  -  10:55 am: (20 min) Making Effects Determinations Using Weight of Evidence and Probabilistic Analyses 

10:55  -  11:00 am: (5 min) Concluding Remarks 

(3) Public Comment Session (60 minutes)

11:00 am  -  11:30 am: (30 min) Q & A
 Meeting participants will have an opportunity to ask EPA clarifying questions on the Revised Method presentations or the Revised Method document
 
11:30 am  -  12:00 pm: (30 min) Public Comment Session 
 Stakeholders will be provided an opportunity to make public comments
 Registration is required

