Imazamethabenz-methyl; Tolerance Reassessment Decision for Low Risk Pesticide; Notice of Availability, 16278-16280 [05-6045]

Download as PDF 16278 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 60 / Wednesday, March 30, 2005 / Notices 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 The production of pentachlorophenol (PCP) for wood preserving began on an experimental basis in the 1930s. In 1947, nearly 7 million pounds of PCP were reported to have been used in the United States by the commercial wood preserving industry. Pentachlorophenol was one of the most widely used biocides in the United States prior to regulatory actions to cancel and restrict certain non-wood preservative uses in 1987. Prior to the 1987 Federal Register notice which announces Agency action to cancel and restrict certain non-wood uses of PCP, it was registered for use as a herbicide, defoliant, mossicide, and disinfectant. The 1987 notice also specified maximum allowable amounts of HCB and dioxins/furans that could be present in formulations of PCP. Indoor applications of PCP are prohibited in accordance with the restrictions included in the U.S. EPA Position Document 4 for Wood Preservative Pesticides: Creosote, Pentachlorophenol and Inorganic Arsenicals (1984, amended 1986). The use of PCP to treat wood intended for use in interiors is prohibited, except for a few low-exposure uses (i.e., those support structures which are in contact with the soil in barns, stables, and similar sites and which are subject to decay or insect infestation). Pentachlorophenol is a restricted use pesticide authorized for sale and use by certified applicators only. There are currently eight active products containing PCP (Chemical Code 063001) according to OPP. III. What Action is the Agency Taking? EPA is making available preliminary risk assessments that have been developed as part of EPA’s process for making reregistration eligibility decisions on HCB and dioxin/furans, contaminants of PCP. This notice starts the 60-day public comment period for the PRAs for HCB and dioxins/furans. The Agency is providing the opportunity, through this notice, for interested parties to provide written comments to the Agency on the PRAs for the chemicals specified in this notice. Such comments could address, for example, the availability of VerDate jul<14>2003 15:07 Mar 29, 2005 Jkt 205001 additional data to further refine the risk assessments, or could address the Agency’s risk assessment methodologies and assumptions as applied to these specific chemicals. Comments should be limited to issues raised within the PRAs and associated documents. EPA may provide other opportunities for public comment on other science issues associated with PCP. Failure to comment on any issues as part of this opportunity will in no way prejudice or limit a commenter’s opportunity to participate fully in later notice and comment processes. All comments should be submitted on or before May 31, 2005. EPA will review all comments received and address them accordingly. The Agency will then announce and conduct a public technical briefing on the revised risk assessments to provide an opportunity for the public to learn more about the data, information, and methods used to develop the revised risk assessment. The revised assessment will then be made available to the public, and the public will be invited to submit risk management ideas and/or proposals. By allowing access and opportunity for comments on the PRAs, the Agency is seeking to strengthen stakeholder involvement and help ensure its decisions under Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA), are transparent, and based on the best available information. List of Subjects Environmental protection, Dioxin, Furan, Hexachlorobenzene(HCB), Pentachlorophenol (PCP), Pesticides and pests,Wood preservatives. Dated: March 24, 2005. Jack E. Housenger, Acting Director, Antimicrobials Division, Office of Pesticide Programs. [FR Doc. 05–6297 Filed 3–29–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–S ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [OPP–2004–0373; FRL–7704–1] Imazamethabenz-methyl; Tolerance Reassessment Decision for Low Risk Pesticide; Notice of Availability Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of EPA’s Tolerance Reassessment Decision (TRED) for the PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 pesticide imazamethabenz-methyl, and opens a public comment period on this document, related risk assessments, and other support documents. EPA has reviewed the low risk pesticide imazamethabenz-methyl through a modified, streamlined version of the public participation process that the Agency uses to involve the public in developing pesticide tolerance reassessment and reregistration decisions. Through the tolerance reassessment program, EPA is ensuring that all pesticides meet current health and food safety standards. DATES: Comments, identified by docket ID number OPP–2004–0373, must be received on or before April 29, 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: Craig Doty, Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460– 0001; telephone number: (703) 308– 0122; fax number: (703) 308–8041; email address: doty.craig@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– 0373. 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 E:\FR\FM\30MRN1.SGM 30MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 60 / Wednesday, March 30, 2005 / Notices 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, to 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 on 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 VerDate jul<14>2003 15:07 Mar 29, 2005 Jkt 205001 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 public docket. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 16279 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–2004–0373. 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– 2004–0373. 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–2004–0373. 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–2004–0373. 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 E:\FR\FM\30MRN1.SGM 30MRN1 16280 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 60 / Wednesday, March 30, 2005 / Notices 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 has reassessed five existing tolerances or legal residue limits for imazamethabenz-methyl, and on February 28, 2005, reached a tolerance reassessment decision for this low risk pesticide. Imazamethabenz-methyl is an imidazolinone herbicide used for the control of selected annual grass and broadleaf weeds with a single early VerDate jul<14>2003 15:07 Mar 29, 2005 Jkt 205001 postemergence broadcast application to barley, wheat or sunflowers using ground or aerial equipment. The Agency is now issuing for comment the resulting Report on Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) Tolerance Reassessment Progress and Risk Management Decision for imazamethabenz-methyl, known as a TRED, as well as related risk assessments and technical support documents. EPA developed the imazamethabenzmethyl TRED through a modified, streamlined version of its public process for making tolerance reassessment and reregistration eligibility decisions. Through these programs, the Agency is ensuring that pesticides meet current standards under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), as amended by FQPA. EPA must review tolerances and tolerance exemptions that were in effect when the FQPA was enacted, to ensure that these existing pesticide residue limits for food and feed commodities meet the safety standard established by the new law. Tolerances are considered reassessed once the safety finding has been made or a revocation occurs. EPA has reviewed and made the requisite safety finding for the imazamethabenz-methyl tolerances included in this notice. 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 issues, and degree of public concern associated with each pesticide. EPA can expeditiously reach decisions for pesticides like imazamethabenz-methyl, which pose no risk concerns and require no risk mitigation. Once EPA assesses uses and risks for such low risk pesticides, the Agency may go directly to a decision and prepare a document summarizing its findings, such as the imazamethabenz-methyl TRED. The tolerance reassessment program is being conducted under Congressionally mandated time frames, and EPA recognizes the need both to make timely decisions and to involve the public in finding ways to effectively mitigate pesticide risks. Imazamethabenz-methyl, however, poses no risks that require mitigation. PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The Agency therefore is issuing the imazamethabenz-methyl TRED, its risk assessments, and related support documents simultaneously for public comment. The comment period is intended to provide an opportunity for public input and a mechanism for initiating any necessary amendments to the TRED. 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. These comments will become part of the Agency Docket for imazamethabenz-methyl. Comments received after the close of the comment period will be marked ‘‘late.’’ EPA is not required to consider these late comments. EPA will consider all comments received by the closing date and will provide a Response to Comments Memorandum in the Docket and electronic EDOCKET. If any comment significantly affects the document, EPA also will publish an amendment to the TRED in the Federal Register. In the absence of substantive comments requiring changes, the decisions reflected in the TRED will be implemented as presented. B. What is the Agency’s Authority for Taking this 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 section 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: March 16, 2005. Debra Edwards, Director, Special Review and Reregistration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs. [FR Doc. 05–6045 Filed 3–29–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–S ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [OPP–2004–0365; FRL–7706–2] Tributyltin Methacrylate; Product Cancellation Order; Correction Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice; correction. AGENCY: SUMMARY: EPA issued a notice in the Federal Register of February 16, 2005, announcing the cancellation of a E:\FR\FM\30MRN1.SGM 30MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 60 (Wednesday, March 30, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16278-16280]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-6045]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPP-2004-0373; FRL-7704-1]


Imazamethabenz-methyl; Tolerance Reassessment Decision for Low 
Risk Pesticide; Notice of Availability

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of EPA's Tolerance 
Reassessment Decision (TRED) for the pesticide imazamethabenz-methyl, 
and opens a public comment period on this document, related risk 
assessments, and other support documents. EPA has reviewed the low risk 
pesticide imazamethabenz-methyl through a modified, streamlined version 
of the public participation process that the Agency uses to involve the 
public in developing pesticide tolerance reassessment and 
reregistration decisions. Through the tolerance reassessment program, 
EPA is ensuring that all pesticides meet current health and food safety 
standards.

DATES: Comments, identified by docket ID number OPP-2004-0373, must be 
received on or before April 29, 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: Craig Doty, Special Review and 
Reregistration Division (7508C), Office of Pesticide Programs, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (703) 308-0122; fax 
number: (703) 308-8041; e-mail address: doty.craig@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-2004-0373. 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

[[Page 16279]]

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, to 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 on 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 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-2004-0373. 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-2004-0373. 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-2004-0373.
    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-2004-0373. 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

[[Page 16280]]

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 has reassessed five existing tolerances or legal residue limits 
for imazamethabenz-methyl, and on February 28, 2005, reached a 
tolerance reassessment decision for this low risk pesticide. 
Imazamethabenz-methyl is an imidazolinone herbicide used for the 
control of selected annual grass and broadleaf weeds with a single 
early postemergence broadcast application to barley, wheat or 
sunflowers using ground or aerial equipment. The Agency is now issuing 
for comment the resulting Report on Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) 
Tolerance Reassessment Progress and Risk Management Decision for 
imazamethabenz-methyl, known as a TRED, as well as related risk 
assessments and technical support documents.
     EPA developed the imazamethabenz-methyl TRED through a modified, 
streamlined version of its public process for making tolerance 
reassessment and reregistration eligibility decisions. Through these 
programs, the Agency is ensuring that pesticides meet current standards 
under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) and the Federal 
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), as amended by 
FQPA. EPA must review tolerances and tolerance exemptions that were in 
effect when the FQPA was enacted, to ensure that these existing 
pesticide residue limits for food and feed commodities meet the safety 
standard established by the new law. Tolerances are considered 
reassessed once the safety finding has been made or a revocation 
occurs. EPA has reviewed and made the requisite safety finding for the 
imazamethabenz-methyl tolerances included in this notice.
     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 
issues, and degree of public concern associated with each pesticide. 
EPA can expeditiously reach decisions for pesticides like 
imazamethabenz-methyl, which pose no risk concerns and require no risk 
mitigation. Once EPA assesses uses and risks for such low risk 
pesticides, the Agency may go directly to a decision and prepare a 
document summarizing its findings, such as the imazamethabenz-methyl 
TRED.
     The tolerance reassessment program is being conducted under 
Congressionally mandated time frames, and EPA recognizes the need both 
to make timely decisions and to involve the public in finding ways to 
effectively mitigate pesticide risks. Imazamethabenz-methyl, however, 
poses no risks that require mitigation. The Agency therefore is issuing 
the imazamethabenz-methyl TRED, its risk assessments, and related 
support documents simultaneously for public comment. The comment period 
is intended to provide an opportunity for public input and a mechanism 
for initiating any necessary amendments to the TRED. 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. 
These comments will become part of the Agency Docket for 
imazamethabenz-methyl. Comments received after the close of the comment 
period will be marked ``late.'' EPA is not required to consider these 
late comments.
     EPA will consider all comments received by the closing date and 
will provide a Response to Comments Memorandum in the Docket and 
electronic EDOCKET. If any comment significantly affects the document, 
EPA also will publish an amendment to the TRED in the Federal Register. 
In the absence of substantive comments requiring changes, the decisions 
reflected in the TRED will be implemented as presented.

B. What is the Agency's Authority for Taking this 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 section 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: March 16, 2005.
Debra Edwards,
Director, Special Review and Reregistration Division, Office of 
Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 05-6045 Filed 3-29-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S
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