Thidiazuron; Reregistration Eligibility Decision; Notice of Availability, 69557-69560 [05-22620]
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 220 / Wednesday, November 16, 2005 / Notices
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?
Under section 4 of the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide
Act (FIFRA), EPA is reevaluating
existing pesticides to ensure that they
meet current scientific and regulatory
standards. Using a modified,
streamlined version of its public
participation process, EPA has
completed a RED for the low risk
pesticide, tau-fluvalinate under section
4(g)(2)(A) of FIFRA. Tau-fluvalinate is a
broad-spectrum insecticide/miticide in
the pyrethroid class of pesticides. It is
registered for a single food use
(beehives/honey) and several non-food
uses, including ornamentals (outdoor
and container-grown, greenhouse,
interior plantscapes, dip for cuttings),
building surfaces/perimeters, and ant
mounds. There are also Special Local
Need registrations in California for
certain crops (carrots and brassica/cole
crops) grown for seed. EPA has
determined that the data base to support
reregistration is substantially complete
and that products containing taufluvalinate will be eligible for
reregistration. Upon submission of any
required product specific data under
section 4(g)(2)(B) and any necessary
changes to the registration and labeling
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(either to address any concerns
identified in the RED or as a result of
product specific data), EPA will make a
final reregistration decision under
section 4(g)(2)(C) for products
containing tau-fluvalinate.
EPA must review tolerances and
tolerance exemptions that were in effect
when the Food Quality Protection Act
(FQPA) was enacted in August 1996, 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 tau-fluvalinate 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 on 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 tau-fluvalinate, which
pose few risk concerns, have low use,
and require little or 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 tau-fluvalinate
RED.
The reregistration 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. Tau-fluvalinate,
however, poses few risks that require
mitigation. The Agency therefore is
issuing the tau-fluvalinate RED, its risk
assessments, and related support
materials 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 RED. 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
tau-fluvalinate. Comments received after
the close of the comment period will be
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marked ‘‘late.’’ EPA is not required to
consider these late comments.
EPA will carefully 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 RED in the Federal
Register. In the absence of substantive
comments requiring changes, the taufluvalinate RED will be implemented as
it is now presented.
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 Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (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: November 7, 2005.
Peter Caulkins,
Acting Director, Special Review and
Reregistration Division, Office of Pesticide
Programs.
[FR Doc. 05–22616 Filed 11–15–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–S
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[OPP–2004–0382; FRL–7745–5]
Thidiazuron; Reregistration Eligibility
Decision; Notice of Availability
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This notice announces the
availability of EPA’s Reregistration
Eligibility Decision (RED) for the
pesticide thidiazuron, and opens a
public comment period on this
document. The Agency’s risk
assessments and other related
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 220 / Wednesday, November 16, 2005 / Notices
documents also are available in the
thidiazuron docket. Thidiazuron is
registered for use as a pre-harvest cotton
defoliant or growth regulator. It removes
green leaves and immature fruiting
structures, which contribute to cotton
staining. EPA has reviewed thidiazuron
through the 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
ID number OPP–2004–0382, must be
received on or before December 16,
2005.
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: John
W. Pates, Jr. , 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–
8195; fax number: (703) 308–8041; email address: pates.john@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
ADDRESSES:
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 identification (ID) number
OPP–2004–0382. 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,
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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
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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
public docket. If EPA cannot read your
comment due to technical difficulties
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 220 / Wednesday, November 16, 2005 / Notices
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–2004–0382. 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–
2004–0382. 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–2004–0382.
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–
2004–0382. 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
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13:56 Nov 15, 2005
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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?
Under section 4 of the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide
Act (FIFRA), EPA is reevaluating
existing pesticides to ensure that they
meet current scientific and regulatory
standards. EPA has completed a
Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED)
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69559
for the pesticide, thidiazuron under
section 4(g)(2)(A) of FIFRA. Thidiazuron
is registered for use as a pre-harvest
cotton defoliant or growth regulator. It
removes green leaves and immature
fruiting structures, which contribute to
cotton staining. EPA has determined
that the data base to support
reregistration is substantially complete
and that products containing
thidiazuron are eligible for
reregistration, provided the potential
risks are mitigated either in the manner
described in the RED or by another
means that achieves equivalent risk
reduction. Upon submission of any
required product specific data under
section 4(g)(2)(B) and any necessary
changes to the registration and labeling
(either to address concerns identified in
the RED or as a result of product
specific data), EPA will make a final
reregistration decision under section
4(g)(2)(C) for products containing
thidiazuron.
EPA must review tolerances and
tolerance exemptions that were in effect
when the Food Quality Protection Act
(FQPA) was enacted in August 1996, 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 thidiazuron 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 on May 14, 2004, (69 FR
26819)(FRL–7357–9) explains that in
conducting these programs, EPA 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. Due to its uses,
risks, and other factors, thidiazuron was
reviewed through the modified 4–Phase
process. Through this process, EPA
worked extensively with stakeholders
and the public to reach the regulatory
decisions for thidiazuron.
The reregistration program is being
conducted under Congressionally
mandated time frames, and EPA
recognizes the need both to make timely
decisions and to involve the public. The
Agency is issuing the thidiazuron RED
for public comment. This comment
period is intended to provide an
additional opportunity for public input
E:\FR\FM\16NON1.SGM
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69560
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 220 / Wednesday, November 16, 2005 / Notices
and a mechanism for initiating any
necessary amendments to the RED. 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
thidiazuron. Comments received after
the close of the comment period will be
marked ‘‘late.’’ EPA is not required to
consider these late comments.
The Agency will carefully 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 RED in the Federal
Register. In the absence of substantive
comments requiring changes, the
thidiazuron RED will be implemented
as it is now presented.
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 Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (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: November 7, 2005.
Peter Caulkins,
Acting Director, Special Review and
Reregistration Division, Office of Pesticide
Programs.
[FR Doc. 05–22620 Filed 11–15–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–S
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Jkt 208001
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[OPP–2005–0277; FRL–7742–1]
Pesticide Emergency Exemptions;
Agency Decisions and State and
Federal Agency Crisis Declarations
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: EPA has granted or denied
emergency exemptions under the
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) for use of
pesticides as listed in this notice. The
exemptions or denials were granted
during the period July 1, 2005 September 30, 2005 to control unforseen
pest outbreaks.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: See
each emergency exemption or denial for
the name of a contact person. The
following information applies to all
contact persons: Team Leader,
Emergency Response Team, Registration
Division (7505C), Office of Pesticide
Programs, Environmental Protection
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC 20460–0001; telephone
number: (703) 308–9366.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA has
granted or denied emergency
exemptions to the following State and
Federal agencies. The emergency
exemptions may take the following
form: Crisis, public health, quarantine,
or specific. EPA has also listed denied
emergency exemption requests in this
notice.
I. General Information
A. Does this Action Apply to Me?
You may be potentially affected by
this action if you are an agricultural
producer, food manufacturer, or
pesticide manufacturer. Potentially
affected entities may include, but are
not limited to:
• Crop production (NAICS code 111)
• Animal production (NAICS code
112)
• Food manufacturing (NAICS code
311)
• Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS
code 32532)
This listing is not intended to be
exhaustive, but rather provides a guide
for readers regarding entities likely to be
affected by this action. Other types of
entities not listed in this unit could also
be affected. The North American
Industrial Classification System
(NAICS) codes have been provided to
assist you and others in determining
whether this action might apply to
certain entities. If you have any
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questions regarding the applicability of
this action to a particular entity, consult
the person listed underFOR 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 identification number
OPP–2005–0277. 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
athttps://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.
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. Background
Under FIFRA section 18, EPA can
authorize the use of a pesticide when
emergency conditions exist.
Authorizations (commonly called
emergency exemptions) are granted to
State and Federal agencies and are of
four types:
1. A ‘‘specific exemption’’ authorizes
use of a pesticide against specific pests
on a limited acreage in a particular
State. Most emergency exemptions are
specific exemptions.
2. ‘‘Quarantine’’ and ‘‘public health’’
exemptions are a particular form of
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 220 (Wednesday, November 16, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69557-69560]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-22620]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-2004-0382; FRL-7745-5]
Thidiazuron; Reregistration Eligibility Decision; Notice of
Availability
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of EPA's Reregistration
Eligibility Decision (RED) for the pesticide thidiazuron, and opens a
public comment period on this document. The Agency's risk assessments
and other related
[[Page 69558]]
documents also are available in the thidiazuron docket. Thidiazuron is
registered for use as a pre-harvest cotton defoliant or growth
regulator. It removes green leaves and immature fruiting structures,
which contribute to cotton staining. EPA has reviewed thidiazuron
through the 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 ID number OPP-2004-0382, must be
received on or before December 16, 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: John W. Pates, Jr. , Special Review
and Reregistration Division (7508C), Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC 20460--0001; telephone number: (703) 308-8195; fax
number: (703) 308-8041; e-mail address: pates.john@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 identification (ID) number OPP-2004-0382. 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 public docket. If EPA cannot
read your comment due to technical difficulties
[[Page 69559]]
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-
0382. 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-2004-0382. 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-2004-0382.
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-2004-0382. 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?
Under section 4 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is reevaluating existing pesticides to
ensure that they meet current scientific and regulatory standards. EPA
has completed a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for the
pesticide, thidiazuron under section 4(g)(2)(A) of FIFRA. Thidiazuron
is registered for use as a pre-harvest cotton defoliant or growth
regulator. It removes green leaves and immature fruiting structures,
which contribute to cotton staining. EPA has determined that the data
base to support reregistration is substantially complete and that
products containing thidiazuron are eligible for reregistration,
provided the potential risks are mitigated either in the manner
described in the RED or by another means that achieves equivalent risk
reduction. Upon submission of any required product specific data under
section 4(g)(2)(B) and any necessary changes to the registration and
labeling (either to address concerns identified in the RED or as a
result of product specific data), EPA will make a final reregistration
decision under section 4(g)(2)(C) for products containing thidiazuron.
EPA must review tolerances and tolerance exemptions that were in
effect when the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) was enacted in
August 1996, 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 thidiazuron 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 on May 14,
2004, (69 FR 26819)(FRL-7357-9) explains that in conducting these
programs, EPA 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.
Due to its uses, risks, and other factors, thidiazuron was reviewed
through the modified 4-Phase process. Through this process, EPA worked
extensively with stakeholders and the public to reach the regulatory
decisions for thidiazuron.
The reregistration program is being conducted under Congressionally
mandated time frames, and EPA recognizes the need both to make timely
decisions and to involve the public. The Agency is issuing the
thidiazuron RED for public comment. This comment period is intended to
provide an additional opportunity for public input
[[Page 69560]]
and a mechanism for initiating any necessary amendments to the RED. 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
thidiazuron. Comments received after the close of the comment period
will be marked ``late.'' EPA is not required to consider these late
comments.
The Agency will carefully 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 RED in the Federal
Register. In the absence of substantive comments requiring changes, the
thidiazuron RED will be implemented as it is now presented.
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 Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (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: November 7, 2005.
Peter Caulkins,
Acting Director, Special Review and Reregistration Division, Office of
Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 05-22620 Filed 11-15-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S
