Updated 6/20/14
EPA has reopened the docket regarding the agency’s proposed
DRT program that was initially opened in November 2012. The agency has
responded to a number of NAAA and member comments, and NAAA has in turn
responded to their responses. You’ll find a copy of NAAA’s initial
comments filed on the November 2012 proposal here, EPA’s response to the November 2012 comments here, and NAAA’s
response to EPA that was filed June 20 here. This reopening provides NAAA members and
the public an opportunity to respond to EPA’s comments by June 27.
The EPA is seeking voluntary submission of this information
to verify the effectiveness of application technologies for agricultural
pesticide sprays, including spray nozzles, shrouds or shields and drift reducing
adjuvant chemicals for aerial or groundboom applications to row and field
crops. Such information would encourage the identification and use of
drift-reduction technologies that can substantially reduce drift of pesticide
spray droplets from the target application site (e.g., a corn field) downwind
to non-target areas.
According to EPA, once the ICR is approved, the voluntary
DRT program will provide incentives to the agricultural sector (industry and
pesticide applicators) to manufacture, market and use spray application
technologies/equipment that have been verified to significantly reduce
pesticide spray drift. NAAA, in its comments last
month to the EPA pertaining to the agency’s announced proposal of using models
highly likely to overestimate off-target
drift, urged EPA to delay finalization of the proposal until the DRT Program is
implemented.
Again, comments are due June 27.
The docket can be viewed here.