APHIS Reopens Comment Period for Draft Supplemental EIS on Methyl Bromide Use in Wood Packaging Material
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a notice reopening the comment period on its draft supplemental environmental impact statement (EIS) analyzing methyl bromide usage associated with regulatory requirements for importing wood packaging material (WPM) into the U.S.
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Comments are due by June 25, 2007.
(APHIS has previously stated that the Final EIS was prepared with regard to the final rule amending the regulations for WPM in order to adopt ISPM 15, "Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade." See ITT's Online Archives or 09/17/04, 09/20/04, and 09/23/04 news, 04091710, 04092020, and 04092320, for Parts I - III of BP summaries of the final rule adopting these guidelines.)
DraftSupplemental EIS Provides Better Methyl Bromide Use Estimates for WPM
In the executive summary of its draft Supplemental EIS, APHIS states it has prepared a more accurate methyl bromide estimate to ensure that National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) documentation adequately informs the public about the anticipated environmental impact of the WPM regulation.
Some Countries Phasing Out Methyl Bromide Use for WPM, Etc.
The executive summary also states that many countries are gradually phasing out uses of methyl bromide for which alternatives exist, including those uses for WPM. However, methyl bromide for quarantine and preshipment and critical uses is expected to be needed for an extended period of time, such that review of the use of WPM is anticipated to continue at APHIS to ensure that future allotments do not exceed present projections.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 11/06/06 news, 06110635, for BP summary of APHIS' notice of intent to prepare the Supplemental EIS.)
-comments are due by June 25, 2007
APHIS Contact - David Bergsten (301) 734-6103
APHIS notice (D/N APHIS-2006-0152, FR Pub 05/25/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-10107.pdf
Draft Supplemental EIS (dated February 2007) available by emailing BP at documents@brokerpower.com