Ametryn Risk Assessments and Preliminary Risk Reduction Options Phase 3 of 4-Phase Process; Notice of Availability, 9309-9312 [05-3530]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 37 / Friday, February 25, 2005 / Notices regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult either person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [OPP–2005–0044; FRL–7700–4] Full Tribal Pesticide Program Council Meeting; Notice of Public Meeting Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Tribal Pesticide Program Council (TPPC) will hold a 2 and 1/2day meeting, beginning on March 16 and ending on March 18, 2005. This notice announces the location and times for the meeting, and sets forth the tentative agenda topics. One Tribal Caucus scheduled each day. DATES: The meeting will be held on March 16–17 2005 from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and a half day training for Tribes on March 18. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at Embassy Suites Hotel, Crystal City, 1300 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Georgia McDuffie, Field and External Affairs Division (7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460– 0001; telephone number: (703) 605– 0195; fax number: (703) 308–1850; email address: mcduffie.georgia@epa.gov or Lillian Wilmore, TPPC Facilitator, P.O. Box 470829 Brookline Village, MA. 02447–0829; telephone number: (617) 232–5742; fax (617) 277–1656; e-mail address: naecology@aol.com SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. General Information A. Does this Action Apply to Me? You may be potentially affected by this action if you are interested in TPPC’s information exchange relationship with EPA regarding important issues related to human health, environmental exposure to pesticides, and insight into EPA’s decision-making process. All parties are invited and encouraged to attend the meetings and participate as appropriate. Potentially affected entities may include, but are not limited to those persons who are or may be required to conduct testing of chemical substances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), or the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Since other entities may also be interested, the Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may be affected by this action. If you have any questions VerDate jul<14>2003 19:31 Feb 24, 2005 Jkt 205001 B. How Can I Get Copies of this Document and Other Related Information? 1. Docket. EPA has established an official public docket for this action under docket identification (ID) number OPP–2005–0044. The official public docket consists of the documents specifically referenced in this action, any public comments received, and other information related to this action. Although a part of the official docket, the public docket does not include Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. The official public docket is the collection of materials that is available for public viewing at the Public Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Rm. 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1801 S. Bell St., Arlington, VA. This docket facility is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The docket telephone number is (703) 305–5805. 2. Electronic access. You may access this Federal Register document electronically through the EPA Internet under the ‘‘Federal Register’’ listings at https://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/. An electronic version of the public docket is available through EPA’s electronic public docket and comment system, EPA Dockets. You may use EPA Dockets at https://www.epa.gov/edocket/ to view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the official public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Although not all docket materials may be available electronically, you may still access any of the publicly available docket materials through the docket facility identified in Unit I.B.1. Once in the system, select ‘‘search,’’ then key in the appropriate docket ID number. II. Tentative Agenda 1. TPPC State of the Council Report. 2. Presentation, Questions, and Answers by U.S. EPA Office of Pesticide Programs and Field and External Affairs Division. 3. Reports from Working Groups and TPPC Participation in Other Meetings: Tribal Traditional Lifeways, Tribal Strategy and FOSTTA, Western Region Pesticide Conference, Federal Inspectors Meeting. 4. Tribal Caucus (two). 5. Reports from Other Organizations: PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 9309 State FIFRA Issues Research and Evaluation Group, TOC, Regional Tribal Operations Committee, Intertribal Agriculture Council, National Tribal Environmental Council, Intertribal Agriculture Council, and TASWER. 6. Endangered Species Protection Program - Update. 7. Homeland Security Update. 8. Development of a Pesticides Pamphlet for Basketweavers. 9. OECA Enforcement Priorities. 10. Memorandum of Understanding Between U.S. EPA Region 7 and 8, Nebraska Department of Agriculture, and Oglala Sioux - Update. 11. FIFRA Section 18 and 24c Issues: Yakama Pilot Project 12. 12. Tribes and Certification and Training (C and T) Issues Discussion. 13. QAPPs and Quality Management Development. 14. Tribal Training Discussion. 15. Data Collection to Support the Need for Resources for Tribal Pesticide Programs: Discussion and Training (Tribes only). 16. Regions Updates - Sub-lead Region 9. 17. TPPC Working Group Invasive Species: the Tribal Invasive Species Committee. 18. Mosquito Misters - State FIFRA Issue Research and Evaluation Group (SFIREG) paper. 19. Performance Measures Update. 20. Report on 2004 Special Project Awards and Information the 2005 Special Projects Solicitation. 21. Lifeline Project Update. List of Subjects Environmental protection, insert additional terms as appropriate. Dated: February 14, 2005. William R. Diamond, Acting Division Director, Field External Affairs Division, Office of Pesticide Programs. [FR Doc. 05–3674 Filed 2–24–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–S ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [OPP–2004–0411; FRL–7692–7] Ametryn Risk Assessments and Preliminary Risk Reduction Options Phase 3 of 4-Phase Process; Notice of Availability Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of EPA’s risk assessments, preliminary risk reduction options, and E:\FR\FM\25FEN1.SGM 25FEN1 9310 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 37 / Friday, February 25, 2005 / Notices related documents for ametryn, a triazine herbicide, and opens a public comment period on these documents. The public also is encouraged to suggest risk management ideas or proposals to address the risks identified. EPA is developing a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for ametryn through a modified, 4-phase public participation process that the Agency uses to involve the public in developing pesticide reregistration and tolerance reassessment decisions. Through these programs, EPA is ensuring that all pesticides meet current health and safety standards. DATES: Comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number OPP–2004– 0411, must be received on or before April 26, 2005. ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted electronically, by mail, or through hand delivery/courier. Follow the detailed instructions as provided in Unit I. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark T. Howard, Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460– 0001; courier address: 1801 S. Bell St., Arlington, VA 22202; telephone number: (703) 308–8172; fax number: (703) 308–8172; e-mail address: howard.markt@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. General Information A. Does this Action Apply to Me? This action is directed to the public in general, and may be of interest to a wide range of stakeholders including environmental, human health, and agricultural advocates; the chemical industry; pesticide users; and members of the public interested in the sale, distribution, or use of pesticides. Since others also may be interested, the Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may be affected by this action. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. B. How Can I Get Copies of this Document and Other Related Information? 1. Docket. EPA has established an official public docket for this action under docket ID number OPP–2004– 0411. The official public docket consists of the documents specifically referenced in this action, any public comments VerDate jul<14>2003 19:31 Feb 24, 2005 Jkt 205001 received, and other information related to this action. Although a part of the official docket, the public docket does not include Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. The official public docket is the collection of materials that is available for public viewing at the Public Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Rm. 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1801 S. Bell St., Arlington, VA. This docket facility is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The docket telephone number is (703) 305–5805. 2. Electronic access. You may access this Federal Register document electronically through the EPA Internet under the ‘‘Federal Register’’ listings at https://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/. An electronic version of the public docket is available through EPA’s electronic public docket and comment system, EPA Dockets. You may use EPA Dockets at https://www.epa.gov/edocket/ to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the official public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select ‘‘search,’’ then key in the appropriate docket ID number. Certain types of information will not be placed in the EPA Dockets. Information claimed as CBI and other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute, which is not included in the official public docket, will not be available for public viewing in EPA’s electronic public docket. EPA’s policy is that copyrighted material will not be placed in EPA’s electronic public docket but will be available only in printed, paper form in the official public docket. To the extent feasible, publicly available docket materials will be made available in EPA’s electronic public docket. When a document is selected from the index list in EPA Dockets, the system will identify whether the document is available for viewing in EPA’s electronic public docket. Although not all docket materials may be available electronically, you may still access any of the publicly available docket materials through the docket facility identified in Unit I.B.1. EPA intends to work towards providing electronic access to all of the publicly available docket materials through EPA’s electronic public docket. For public commenters, it is important to note that EPA’s policy is that public comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, will be made available for public viewing in EPA’s electronic public PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 docket as EPA receives them and without change, unless the comment contains copyrighted material, CBI, or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. When EPA identifies a comment containing copyrighted material, EPA will provide a reference to that material in the version of the comment that is placed in EPA’s electronic public docket. The entire printed comment, including the copyrighted material, will be available in the public docket. Public comments submitted on computer disks that are mailed or delivered to the docket will be transferred to EPA’s electronic public docket. Public comments that are mailed or delivered to the docket will be scanned and placed in EPA’s electronic public docket. Where practical, physical objects will be photographed, and the photograph will be placed in EPA’s electronic public docket along with a brief description written by the docket staff. C. How and to Whom Do I Submit Comments? You may submit comments electronically, by mail, or through hand delivery/courier. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, identify the appropriate docket ID number in the subject line on the first page of your comment. Please ensure that your comments are submitted within the specified comment period. Comments received after the close of the comment period will be marked ‘‘late.’’ EPA is not required to consider these late comments. If you wish to submit CBI or information that is otherwise protected by statute, please follow the instructions in Unit I.D. Do not use EPA Dockets or e-mail to submit CBI or information protected by statute. 1. Electronically. If you submit an electronic comment as prescribed in this unit, EPA recommends that you include your name, mailing address, and an email address or other contact information in the body of your comment. Also include this contact information on the outside of any disk or CD ROM you submit, and in any cover letter accompanying the disk or CD ROM. This ensures that you can be identified as the submitter of the comment and allows EPA to contact you in case EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties or needs further information on the substance of your comment. EPA’s policy is that EPA will not edit your comment, and any identifying or contact information provided in the body of a comment will be included as part of the comment that is placed in the official public docket, and made available in EPA’s electronic E:\FR\FM\25FEN1.SGM 25FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 37 / Friday, February 25, 2005 / Notices public docket. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. i. EPA Dockets. Your use of EPA’s electronic public docket to submit comments to EPA electronically is EPA’s preferred method for receiving comments. Go directly to EPA Dockets at https://www.epa.gov/edocket/, and follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once in the system, select ‘‘search,’’ and then key in docket ID number OPP–2004–0411. The system is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which means EPA will not know your identity, e-mail address, or other contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. ii. E-mail. Comments may be sent by e-mail to opp-docket@epa.gov, Attention: Docket ID number OPP– 2004–0411. In contrast to EPA’s electronic public docket, EPA’s e-mail system is not an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system. If you send an e-mail comment directly to the docket without going through EPA’s electronic public docket, EPA’s e-mail system automatically captures your e-mail address. E-mail addresses that are automatically captured by EPA’s e-mail system are included as part of the comment that is placed in the official public docket, and made available in EPA’s electronic public docket. iii. Disk or CD ROM. You may submit comments on a disk or CD ROM that you mail to the mailing address identified in Unit I.C.2. These electronic submissions will be accepted in WordPerfect or ASCII file format. Avoid the use of special characters and any form of encryption. 2. By mail. Send your comments to: Public Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB) (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001, Attention: Docket ID number OPP–2004–0411. 3. By hand delivery or courier. Deliver your comments to: Public Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1801 S. Bell St., Arlington, VA, Attention: Docket ID number OPP–2004–0411. Such deliveries are only accepted during the docket’s normal hours of operation as identified in Unit I.B.1. D. How Should I Submit CBI to the Agency? Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI electronically VerDate jul<14>2003 19:31 Feb 24, 2005 Jkt 205001 through EPA’s electronic public docket or by e-mail. You may claim information that you submit to EPA as CBI by marking any part or all of that information as CBI (if you submit CBI on disk or CD ROM, mark the outside of the disk or CD ROM as CBI and then identify electronically within the disk or CD ROM the specific information that is CBI). Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2. In addition to one complete version of the comment that includes any information claimed as CBI, a copy of the comment that does not contain the information claimed as CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public docket and EPA’s electronic public docket. If you submit the copy that does not contain CBI on disk or CD ROM, mark the outside of the disk or CD ROM clearly that it does not contain CBI. Information not marked as CBI will be included in the public docket and EPA’s electronic public docket without prior notice. If you have any questions about CBI or the procedures for claiming CBI, please consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. E. What Should I Consider as I Prepare My Comments for EPA? You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your comments: 1. Explain your views as clearly as possible. 2. Describe any assumptions that you used. 3. Provide any technical information and/or data you used that support your views. 4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you arrived at your estimate. 5. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns. 6. Offer alternatives. 7. Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period deadline identified. 8. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, identify the appropriate docket ID number in the subject line on the first page of your response. It would also be helpful if you provided the name, date, and Federal Register citation related to your comments. II. Background A. What Action is the Agency Taking? EPA is releasing for public comment its human health and environmental fate and effects risk assessments, preliminary risk reduction options, and related documents for the triazine herbicide, ametryn, and encouraging the PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 9311 public to suggest risk management ideas or proposals. EPA developed the risk assessments and preliminary risk reduction options for ametryn and two related degradates through a modified version of its public process for making pesticide reregistration eligibility and tolerance reassessment decisions. Through these programs, EPA is ensuring that pesticides meet current standards under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA). Ametryn is a preplant and preemergent herbicide used to control broadleaf and grass weeds that can interfere with growing corn, pineapple, and sugar cane. Based on a provisional cancer risk factor, there are potential cancer risks of concern for exposure to the general population through drinking water. There are also three (aerial application) occupational exposure scenarios in which workers using minimal personal protective equipment have risks of concern. To adequately protect workers, the general population, or endangered species in the environment, it may be necessary to reduce application rates, delete certain uses, and restrict aerial application or add engineering controls. These proposed risk mitigation measures are fully discussed in a separate document available in the ametryn Docket. EPA is providing an opportunity, through this notice, for interested parties to provide comments and input on the Agency’s risk assessments for ametryn. Such comments and input could address, for example, the availability of additional data to further refine the risk assessments, such as additional cancer data, worker exposure data, environmental fate properties monitoring data, percent crop treated information, typical application rates and their timing, and residue data from food processing studies, etc. Or comments could address the Agency’s risk assessment methodologies and assumptions as applied to ametryn use. EPA seeks to achieve environmental justice, the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. To help address potential environmental justice issues, the Agency seeks information on any groups or segments of the population who, as a result of their location, cultural practices, or other factors, may have atypical, unusually high exposure to E:\FR\FM\25FEN1.SGM 25FEN1 9312 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 37 / Friday, February 25, 2005 / Notices ametryn, compared to the general population. EPA also is releasing for public comment its preliminary risk reduction options for ametryn, and is providing an opportunity for interested parties to provide risk management proposals or otherwise comment on risk management. Considering EPA’s preliminary risk reduction options, such comments and proposals should further discuss ways to manage ametryn’s dietary, occupational, and/or ecological risks resulting from its use on corn, sugarcane, and pineapple as discussed in the Agency’s risk assessments. EPA is applying the principles of public participation to all pesticides undergoing reregistration and tolerance reassessment. The Agency’s Pesticide Tolerance Reassessment and Reregistration; Public Participation Process, published in the Federal Register of May 14, 2004 (69 FR 26819) (FRL–7357–9), explains that in conducting these programs, the Agency is tailoring its public participation process to be commensurate with the level of risk, extent of use, complexity of the issues, and degree of public concern associated with each pesticide. For ametryn, a modified, 4-phase process with one comment period and ample opportunity for public consultation seems appropriate in view of its refined risk assessments, limited use, and few complex issues. However, if as a result of comments received during this comment period EPA finds that additional issues warranting further discussion are raised, the Agency may lengthen the process and include a second comment period, as needed. EPA may issue the ametryn RED for public comment. 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 ametryn. Comments received after the close of the comment period will be marked ‘‘late.’’ EPA is not required to consider these late comments. B. What is the Agency’s Authority for Taking this Action? Section 4(g)(2) of FIFRA as amended directs that, after submission of all data concerning a pesticide active ingredient, ‘‘the Administrator shall determine whether pesticides containing such active ingredient are eligible for reregistration,’’ before calling in product-specific data on individual enduse products and either reregistering products or taking other ‘‘appropriate regulatory action.’’ VerDate jul<14>2003 19:31 Feb 24, 2005 Jkt 205001 Section 408(q) of the FFDCA, 21 U.S.C. 346a(q), requires EPA to review tolerances and exemptions for pesticide residues in effect as of August 2, 1996, to determine whether the tolerance or exemption meets the requirements of 408(b)(2) or (c)(2) of FFDCA. This review is to be completed by August 3, 2006. List of Subjects Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests. Dated: February 16, 2005. Debra Edwards, Director, Special Review and Reregistration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs. [FR Doc. 05–3530 Filed 2–24–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–S ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [OPP–2004–0380; FRL–7701–2] Dimethipin Risk Assessments; Notice of Availability Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of EPA’s risk assessments and related documents for the pesticide Dimethipin, and opens a public comment period on these documents. The public also is encouraged to suggest risk management ideas or proposals to address the risks identified. EPA is developing a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED), for Dimethipin through a modified, 4-Phase public participation process that the Agency uses to involve the public in developing pesticide reregistration and tolerance reassessment decisions. Through these programs, EPA is ensuring that all pesticides meet current health and safety standards. DATES: Comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number OPP–2004– 0380, must be received on or before April 26, 2005. ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted electronically, by mail, or through hand delivery/courier. Follow the detailed instructions as provided in Unit I. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amaris Johnson, Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460– 0001; telephone number: 703–305–9542; PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 fax number: 703–308–8041; e-mail address: johnson.amaris@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. General Information A. Does this Action Apply to Me? This action is directed to the public in general, and may be of interest to a wide range of stakeholders including environmental, human health, and agricultural advocates; the chemical industry; pesticide users; and members of the public interested in the sale, distribution, or use of pesticides. Since others also may be interested, the Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may be affected by this action. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. B. How Can I Get Copies of this Document and Other Related Information? 1. Docket. EPA has established an official public docket for this action under docket ID number OPP–2004– 0380. The official public docket consists of the documents specifically referenced in this action, any public comments received, and other information related to this action. Although a part of the official docket, the public docket does not include Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. The official public docket is the collection of materials that is available for public viewing at the Public Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Rm. 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1801 S. Bell St., Arlington, VA. This docket facility is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The docket telephone number is 703–305–5805. 2. Electronic access. You may access this Federal Register document electronically through the EPA Internet under the ‘‘Federal Register’’ listings at https://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/. An electronic version of the public docket is available through EPA’s electronic public docket and comment system, EPA Dockets. You may use EPA Dockets at https://www.epa.gov/edocket/ to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the official public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select ‘‘search,’’ then key in the appropriate docket ID number. Certain types of information will not be placed in the EPA Dockets. E:\FR\FM\25FEN1.SGM 25FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 37 (Friday, February 25, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9309-9312]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-3530]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPP-2004-0411; FRL-7692-7]


Ametryn Risk Assessments and Preliminary Risk Reduction Options 
Phase 3 of 4-Phase Process; Notice of Availability

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of EPA's risk 
assessments, preliminary risk reduction options, and

[[Page 9310]]

related documents for ametryn, a triazine herbicide, and opens a public 
comment period on these documents. The public also is encouraged to 
suggest risk management ideas or proposals to address the risks 
identified. EPA is developing a Reregistration Eligibility Decision 
(RED) for ametryn through a modified, 4-phase public participation 
process that the Agency uses to involve the public in developing 
pesticide reregistration and tolerance reassessment decisions. Through 
these programs, EPA is ensuring that all pesticides meet current health 
and safety standards.

DATES: Comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number OPP-
2004-0411, must be received on or before April 26, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted electronically, by mail, or 
through hand delivery/courier. Follow the detailed instructions as 
provided in Unit I. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark T. Howard, Special Review and 
Reregistration Division (7508C), Office of Pesticide Programs, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460-0001; courier address: 1801 S. Bell St., 
Arlington, VA 22202; telephone number: (703) 308-8172; fax number: 
(703) 308-8172; e-mail address: howard.markt@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

    This action is directed to the public in general, and may be of 
interest to a wide range of stakeholders including environmental, human 
health, and agricultural advocates; the chemical industry; pesticide 
users; and members of the public interested in the sale, distribution, 
or use of pesticides. Since others also may be interested, the Agency 
has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may be 
affected by this action. If you have any questions regarding the 
applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the person 
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

B. How Can I Get Copies of this Document and Other Related Information?

    1. Docket. EPA has established an official public docket for this 
action under docket ID number OPP-2004-0411. The official public docket 
consists of the documents specifically referenced in this action, any 
public comments received, and other information related to this action. 
Although a part of the official docket, the public docket does not 
include Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information 
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. The official public docket 
is the collection of materials that is available for public viewing at 
the Public Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Rm. 119, 
Crystal Mall 2, 1801 S. Bell St., Arlington, VA. This docket 
facility is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
excluding legal holidays. The docket telephone number is (703) 305-
5805.
    2. Electronic access. You may access this Federal Register document 
electronically through the EPA Internet under the ``Federal Register'' 
listings at https://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/.
    An electronic version of the public docket is available through 
EPA's electronic public docket and comment system, EPA Dockets. You may 
use EPA Dockets at https://www.epa.gov/edocket/ to submit or view public 
comments, access the index listing of the contents of the official 
public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that 
are available electronically. Once in the system, select ``search,'' 
then key in the appropriate docket ID number.
    Certain types of information will not be placed in the EPA Dockets. 
Information claimed as CBI and other information whose disclosure is 
restricted by statute, which is not included in the official public 
docket, will not be available for public viewing in EPA's electronic 
public docket. EPA's policy is that copyrighted material will not be 
placed in EPA's electronic public docket but will be available only in 
printed, paper form in the official public docket. To the extent 
feasible, publicly available docket materials will be made available in 
EPA's electronic public docket. When a document is selected from the 
index list in EPA Dockets, the system will identify whether the 
document is available for viewing in EPA's electronic public docket. 
Although not all docket materials may be available electronically, you 
may still access any of the publicly available docket materials through 
the docket facility identified in Unit I.B.1. EPA intends to work 
towards providing electronic access to all of the publicly available 
docket materials through EPA's electronic public docket.
    For public commenters, it is important to note that EPA's policy is 
that public comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, 
will be made available for public viewing in EPA's electronic public 
docket as EPA receives them and without change, unless the comment 
contains copyrighted material, CBI, or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. When EPA identifies a comment 
containing copyrighted material, EPA will provide a reference to that 
material in the version of the comment that is placed in EPA's 
electronic public docket. The entire printed comment, including the 
copyrighted material, will be available in the public docket.
    Public comments submitted on computer disks that are mailed or 
delivered to the docket will be transferred to EPA's electronic public 
docket. Public comments that are mailed or delivered to the docket will 
be scanned and placed in EPA's electronic public docket. Where 
practical, physical objects will be photographed, and the photograph 
will be placed in EPA's electronic public docket along with a brief 
description written by the docket staff.

C. How and to Whom Do I Submit Comments?

    You may submit comments electronically, by mail, or through hand 
delivery/courier. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, identify the 
appropriate docket ID number in the subject line on the first page of 
your comment. Please ensure that your comments are submitted within the 
specified comment period. Comments received after the close of the 
comment period will be marked ``late.'' EPA is not required to consider 
these late comments. If you wish to submit CBI or information that is 
otherwise protected by statute, please follow the instructions in Unit 
I.D. Do not use EPA Dockets or e-mail to submit CBI or information 
protected by statute.
    1. Electronically. If you submit an electronic comment as 
prescribed in this unit, EPA recommends that you include your name, 
mailing address, and an e-mail address or other contact information in 
the body of your comment. Also include this contact information on the 
outside of any disk or CD ROM you submit, and in any cover letter 
accompanying the disk or CD ROM. This ensures that you can be 
identified as the submitter of the comment and allows EPA to contact 
you in case EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties 
or needs further information on the substance of your comment. EPA's 
policy is that EPA will not edit your comment, and any identifying or 
contact information provided in the body of a comment will be included 
as part of the comment that is placed in the official public docket, 
and made available in EPA's electronic

[[Page 9311]]

public docket. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical 
difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be 
able to consider your comment.
    i. EPA Dockets. Your use of EPA's electronic public docket to 
submit comments to EPA electronically is EPA's preferred method for 
receiving comments. Go directly to EPA Dockets at https://www.epa.gov/
edocket/, and follow the online instructions for submitting comments. 
Once in the system, select ``search,'' and then key in docket ID number 
OPP-2004-0411. The system is an ``anonymous access'' system, which 
means EPA will not know your identity, e-mail address, or other contact 
information unless you provide it in the body of your comment.
    ii. E-mail. Comments may be sent by e-mail to opp-docket@epa.gov, 
Attention: Docket ID number OPP-2004-0411. In contrast to EPA's 
electronic public docket, EPA's e-mail system is not an ``anonymous 
access'' system. If you send an e-mail comment directly to the docket 
without going through EPA's electronic public docket, EPA's e-mail 
system automatically captures your e-mail address. E-mail addresses 
that are automatically captured by EPA's e-mail system are included as 
part of the comment that is placed in the official public docket, and 
made available in EPA's electronic public docket.
    iii. Disk or CD ROM. You may submit comments on a disk or CD ROM 
that you mail to the mailing address identified in Unit I.C.2. These 
electronic submissions will be accepted in WordPerfect or ASCII file 
format. Avoid the use of special characters and any form of encryption.
    2. By mail. Send your comments to: Public Information and Records 
Integrity Branch (PIRIB) (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460-0001, Attention: Docket ID number OPP-2004-0411.
    3. By hand delivery or courier. Deliver your comments to: Public 
Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Office of Pesticide 
Programs (OPP), Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. 119, Crystal Mall 
2, 1801 S. Bell St., Arlington, VA, Attention: Docket ID 
number OPP-2004-0411. Such deliveries are only accepted during the 
docket's normal hours of operation as identified in Unit I.B.1.

D. How Should I Submit CBI to the Agency?

    Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI 
electronically through EPA's electronic public docket or by e-mail. You 
may claim information that you submit to EPA as CBI by marking any part 
or all of that information as CBI (if you submit CBI on disk or CD ROM, 
mark the outside of the disk or CD ROM as CBI and then identify 
electronically within the disk or CD ROM the specific information that 
is CBI). Information so marked will not be disclosed except in 
accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2.
    In addition to one complete version of the comment that includes 
any information claimed as CBI, a copy of the comment that does not 
contain the information claimed as CBI must be submitted for inclusion 
in the public docket and EPA's electronic public docket. If you submit 
the copy that does not contain CBI on disk or CD ROM, mark the outside 
of the disk or CD ROM clearly that it does not contain CBI. Information 
not marked as CBI will be included in the public docket and EPA's 
electronic public docket without prior notice. If you have any 
questions about CBI or the procedures for claiming CBI, please consult 
the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

E. What Should I Consider as I Prepare My Comments for EPA?

    You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your 
comments:
    1. Explain your views as clearly as possible.
    2. Describe any assumptions that you used.
    3. Provide any technical information and/or data you used that 
support your views.
    4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you 
arrived at your estimate.
    5. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns.
    6. Offer alternatives.
    7. Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period deadline 
identified.
    8. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, identify the appropriate docket 
ID number in the subject line on the first page of your response. It 
would also be helpful if you provided the name, date, and Federal 
Register citation related to your comments.

II. Background

A. What Action is the Agency Taking?

    EPA is releasing for public comment its human health and 
environmental fate and effects risk assessments, preliminary risk 
reduction options, and related documents for the triazine herbicide, 
ametryn, and encouraging the public to suggest risk management ideas or 
proposals. EPA developed the risk assessments and preliminary risk 
reduction options for ametryn and two related degradates through a 
modified version of its public process for making pesticide 
reregistration eligibility and tolerance reassessment decisions. 
Through these programs, EPA is ensuring that pesticides meet current 
standards under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act 
(FIFRA) and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), as 
amended by the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA).
    Ametryn is a preplant and pre-emergent herbicide used to control 
broadleaf and grass weeds that can interfere with growing corn, 
pineapple, and sugar cane. Based on a provisional cancer risk factor, 
there are potential cancer risks of concern for exposure to the general 
population through drinking water. There are also three (aerial 
application) occupational exposure scenarios in which workers using 
minimal personal protective equipment have risks of concern. To 
adequately protect workers, the general population, or endangered 
species in the environment, it may be necessary to reduce application 
rates, delete certain uses, and restrict aerial application or add 
engineering controls. These proposed risk mitigation measures are fully 
discussed in a separate document available in the ametryn Docket.
    EPA is providing an opportunity, through this notice, for 
interested parties to provide comments and input on the Agency's risk 
assessments for ametryn. Such comments and input could address, for 
example, the availability of additional data to further refine the risk 
assessments, such as additional cancer data, worker exposure data, 
environmental fate properties monitoring data, percent crop treated 
information, typical application rates and their timing, and residue 
data from food processing studies, etc. Or comments could address the 
Agency's risk assessment methodologies and assumptions as applied to 
ametryn use.
    EPA seeks to achieve environmental justice, the fair treatment and 
meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, color, 
national origin, or income, in the development, implementation, and 
enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. To help 
address potential environmental justice issues, the Agency seeks 
information on any groups or segments of the population who, as a 
result of their location, cultural practices, or other factors, may 
have atypical, unusually high exposure to

[[Page 9312]]

ametryn, compared to the general population.
    EPA also is releasing for public comment its preliminary risk 
reduction options for ametryn, and is providing an opportunity for 
interested parties to provide risk management proposals or otherwise 
comment on risk management. Considering EPA's preliminary risk 
reduction options, such comments and proposals should further discuss 
ways to manage ametryn's dietary, occupational, and/or ecological risks 
resulting from its use on corn, sugarcane, and pineapple as discussed 
in the Agency's risk assessments.
    EPA is applying the principles of public participation to all 
pesticides undergoing reregistration and tolerance reassessment. The 
Agency's Pesticide Tolerance Reassessment and Reregistration; Public 
Participation Process, published in the Federal Register of May 14, 
2004 (69 FR 26819) (FRL-7357-9), explains that in conducting these 
programs, the Agency is tailoring its public participation process to 
be commensurate with the level of risk, extent of use, complexity of 
the issues, and degree of public concern associated with each 
pesticide. For ametryn, a modified, 4-phase process with one comment 
period and ample opportunity for public consultation seems appropriate 
in view of its refined risk assessments, limited use, and few complex 
issues. However, if as a result of comments received during this 
comment period EPA finds that additional issues warranting further 
discussion are raised, the Agency may lengthen the process and include 
a second comment period, as needed. EPA may issue the ametryn RED for 
public comment.
    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 
ametryn. Comments received after the close of the comment period will 
be marked ``late.'' EPA is not required to consider these late 
comments.

B. What is the Agency's Authority for Taking this Action?

    Section 4(g)(2) of FIFRA as amended directs that, after submission 
of all data concerning a pesticide active ingredient, ``the 
Administrator shall determine whether pesticides containing such active 
ingredient are eligible for reregistration,'' before calling in 
product-specific data on individual end-use products and either 
reregistering products or taking other ``appropriate regulatory 
action.''
    Section 408(q) of the FFDCA, 21 U.S.C. 346a(q), requires EPA to 
review tolerances and exemptions for pesticide residues in effect as of 
August 2, 1996, to determine whether the tolerance or exemption meets 
the requirements of 408(b)(2) or (c)(2) of FFDCA. This review is to be 
completed by August 3, 2006.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests.

    Dated: February 16, 2005.
Debra Edwards,
Director, Special Review and Reregistration Division, Office of 
Pesticide Programs.

[FR Doc. 05-3530 Filed 2-24-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.