notice. azinphos-methyl ecological risk assessment grower impact assessments notice of availability available in english 3 pages epa is making available the environmental fate and ecological effects risk assessment and the grower impact assessments for azinphos-methyl. azinphos-methyl is an organophosphate insecticide first registered in 1959 and is used in agriculture on orchard fruits berries nuts and other crops. the interim reregistration eligibility decision for azinphos-methyl was issued in october 2001. during the development of the ired epa evaluated the risks and benefits associated with azinphos-methyl use considered all relevant risk including reductions in the rate and frequency of applications and precautionary labeling to reduce risks. despite these mitigation measures calculated risks to workers and the environment from azinphos-methyl use still indicated potential concerns. the technical registrants of azinphos-methyl entered into a memorandum of agreement moa with epa that was signed on 23 may 2002 which provided for the deletion or phase out of most azinphos-methyl uses. the remaining ten uses have time-limited registrations pending the submission and evaluation of biomonitoring product efficacy and other data. these uses include almonds apples and crab apples blueberries lowbush and highbush brussels sprouts sweet and tart cherries nursery stock parsley pears pistachios and walnuts. epa intends to complete its evaluation of these uses and propose a decision in 2006. epa is providing an opportunity through this notice for interested parties to provide comments and input on the agencys ecological risk and grower impact assessments for azinphos-methyl. such comments and input could address for example the availability of additional data to further refine the risk or grower impact assessments information about a specific pest problem not addressed or evaluated in the assessment or could address the agencys risk assessment methodologies and assumptions as applied to this specific pesticide. comments should be limited to issues raised within the assessments and associated documents. failure to comment on any such issues as part of this opportunity will not limit a commenters opportunity to participate in any later notice and comment processes on this matter. all comments should be submitted using the methods in unit i. of the supplementary information and must be received by epa on or before the closing date. comments will become part of the agency docket for azinphos-methyl. comments received after the close of the comment period will be marked late. epa is not required to consider these late comments