Document 2VXxkZbxpod9D90aKgOmad3p

V UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON DC 20460 May 4, 2017 THE ADV NiSTRATOR Thank you for your recent correspondence. It is an honor and privilege to lead the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Promoting and protecting a strong and healthy environment is one of government's lifeblood priorities, and the EPA is vital to that mission. I look forward to working with the agency's dedicated employees, stakeholders and our state partners on a shared vision to protect our environment for future generations. I appreciate your views on the HPA's decision to deny a petition to ban the use of chlorpyrifos. a pesticide crucial to U.S. agriculture. Ultimately in this review, the Obama Administration's U.S. Department of Agriculture. National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and Federal Insecticide. Fungicide, and Rodcnticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel expressed substantial concerns with the processes and studies available warranting a ban of this pesticide. Instead of using a petition process, the EPA has decided to continue to e\aluate the chemical according to the routine review s of all pesticides required under FIFRA. The EPA must prov ide regulatory certainty to the thousands of American farms that rely on chlorpyrifos. while still protecting human health and the environment, and we continue to take that responsibility very seriously relying on the best available science. We as an agency will always strive to strike a balance between protecting our water, air and natural resources and building our economy. We do not have to choose between them. Our nation has a stellar history of protecting our natural resources and our environment while also respecting economic growth and jobs, and we will continue to do that. Among my top priorities are improving America's water infrastructure and focusing on the EPA's core mission of protecting our nation's air, water and land. We need to shape the work of the EPA by setting national standards and finding neighborhood solutions. We will also strive for regulatory certainty so regulated industries will know exactly what is expected of them. I am a firm believer in the EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment and look forward to the opportunity to help provide future generations with a better and healthier environment. I hope you will follow our efforts by visiting www.epa.gov to learn more about the EPA's work and what you can do to help us achieve solid results. Interne! Address (URL) http //www epa gov Recycled/Recyclable Printed with Vegetate O ' Based Inks on 100': Postconsumer Process Chlorine F ee Recycled Paper On behalf of everyone at the EPA, I thank you for your interest in our work and your support for protecting the env ironment.