LAW

EPA schedules Worker Protection Standard public meetings

SUMMARY: EPA is holding a series of public meetings to solicit
information from workers, growers and others regarding
regulations designed to protect agricultural workers and
pesticide handlers. The first meeting was held in Winter Haven,
Florida on February 22, 1996. The meetings are part of EPA's
commitment to monitor and evaluate the impact and performance of
the Worker Protection regulations. The public meetings are
designed to provide an opportunity for those directly affected by
the regulations to relay their experiences after the regulations'
first full year of implementation. By reaching out to those on
the frontlines and for whom these regulations are intended to
provide public health protection, EPA will better understand how
the program is working and where meaningful improvements should
be made. 

The meetings are open to the public.

DATES: The following is the schedule for the remaining public
meetings:
     April 10, 1996, Stoneville, Mississippi
     April 24, 1996, McAllen, Texas
     June 19, 1996, Pasco, Washington
     June 26, 1996, Biglerville, Pennsylvania
     July 23, 1996, Fresno (area), California
     July 25, 1996, Monterrey (area), California
     August 7, 1996, Portageville, Missouri
     August 21, 1996, Tipton, Indiana

The date and location for a public meeting in Puerto Rico will be
announced at a later date. There will not be a public meeting
scheduled in Washington, DC as was previously noted. 

ADDRESSES: The April 10, 1996 meeting will be held at the Delta
Research and Extension Center, Old Leland Road, Stoneville,
Mississippi. The April 24, 1996 meeting will be held at the
McAllen International Civic Center, Tourist Center Building, 1300
S. 10th St., McAllen, Texas. Registration for both meetings will
begin at 5 p.m., and the public meetings will begin at 7 p.m.  

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeanne Heying, Mail Code 7506C,
Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC
20460, Telephone: (703) 305-7164, Fax: (703) 308-2962, or EPA WPS
representatives in regions hosting public meetings.

California meeting: Mary Grisier, (415) 744-1095.

Indiana meeting: Don Baumgartner, (312) 886-7835.

Mississippi meeting: Jane Horton, (404) 347-3555, ext. 6975. 

Missouri meeting: Glen Yager, (913) 551-7296 or Kathleen Fenton,
(913) 551-7874.

Pennsylvania meeting: Magda Rodriguez-Hunt, (215) 587-0442. 

Puerto Rico meeting: Fred Kozak, (908) 321-6769.

Texas meeting: Jerry Oglesby, (214) 665-7563.

Washington meeting: Allan Welch, (206) 553-1980.