Challenges with the current methodology for conducting Endangered Species Act risk assessments for pesticides in the United States

The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA or the Agency) is responsible for administering the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The Agency is also required to assess the potential risks of pesticides undergoing registration or re‐registration to threatened and endanger...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Integrated environmental assessment and management 2023-05, Vol.19 (3), p.817-829
Main Authors: Teed, R. Scott, Moore, Dwayne R. J., Vukov, Oliver, Brain, Richard A., Overmyer, Jay P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Endangered & extinct species
Endangered Species
Environmental assessment
Environmental Impact Assessment
Environmental law
Environmental management
Environmental protection
Fungicides
Insecticides
Integrated environmental assessment
pesticide regulation
Pesticides
Rare species
Registration
Risk
Risk assessment
Risk Assessment - methods
risk models
Rodenticides
Screening
Toxicology
United States
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Summary:The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA or the Agency) is responsible for administering the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The Agency is also required to assess the potential risks of pesticides undergoing registration or re‐registration to threatened and endangered (i.e., listed) species to ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act. To assess potential risks to listed species, a screening‐level risk assessment in the form of a biological evaluation (BE) is undertaken by the Agency for each pesticide. Given the large number of registration actions handled by the USEPA annually, efficient tools for conducting BEs are desirable. However, the “Revised Method” that is the basis for the USEPA's BE process has been ineffective at filtering out listed species and critical habitats that are at de minimis risk to pesticides. In the USEPA's BEs, the Magnitude of Effect Tool (MAGtool) has been used to determine potential risks to listed species that potentially co‐occur with pesticide footprints. The MAGtool is a highly prescriptive, high‐throughput compilation of existing FIFRA screening‐level models with a geospatial interface. The tool has been a significant contributor to risk inflation and ultimately process inefficiency. The ineffectiveness of the tool stems from compounding conservatism, unrealistic and unreasonable assumptions regarding usage, limited application of species‐specific data, lack of consideration of multiple lines of evidence, and inability to integrate higher‐tier data. Here, we briefly describe the MAGtool and the critical deficiencies that impair its effectiveness, thus undermining its intention. Case studies are presented to highlight the deficiencies and solutions are recommended for improving listed species assessments in the future. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:817–829. © 2022 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC). Key Point When evaluating pesticide risk to threatened and endangered species and their critical habitat, the USEPA requires adjustments to their biological evaluation approach to achieve an efficient and scientifically defensible process.
ISSN:1551-3777
1551-3793
DOI:10.1002/ieam.4713