Mefluidide Risk Assessments; Notice of Availability, 34007-34009 [E7-11943]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 20, 2007 / Notices I. General Information List of Subjects A. Does this Action Apply to Me? Environmental protection, Fumigants, Pesticides and pests. The Agency included in the notices of May 2, 2007, a list of those who may be potentially affected by this action. If you have questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT in the Federal Register documents of May 2, 2007. Dated: June 13, 2007. Peter Caulkins, Acting Director, Special Review and Reregistration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs. [FR Doc. E7–11796 Filed 6–19–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–S B. How Can I Access Electronic Copies of this Document? ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY In addition to accessing an electronic copy of this Federal Register document through the electronic docket athttps:// www.regulations.gov, you may access this Federal Register document electronically through the EPA Internet under the ‘‘Federal Register’’ listings at https://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr. [EPA–HQ–OPP–2007–0431; FRL–8135–4] II. What Action is EPA taking? This document extends the public comment periods for the fumigants chloropicrin, dazomet, 1,3dichloropropene, metam potassium, metam sodium, and methyl bromide established in the Federal Register issued on May 2, 2007 (72 FR 24290, FRL–8127–7), (72 FR 24292, FRL–8126– 7), (72 FR 24294, FRL–8124–8), (72 FR 24295, FRL–8125–9), and (72 FR 24297, FRL–8125–7). In those documents, EPA announced the availability of the risk assessments and opened 60–day public comment periods. EPA is hereby extending the comment periods, which were set to end on July 2, 2007 to September 3, 2007. rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES III. What is the Agency’s Authority for Taking this Action? Section 4(g)(2) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (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. Further provisions are made to allow a public comment period. However, the Administrator may extend the comment period if additional time for comment is requested. In this case, Grimmway Farms; Certis U.S.A., L.L.C; Washington Minor Crops Association; Washington State Potato Commission; Amalgamated Sugar Company; Methyl Bromide Industry Task Force; the Idaho Potato Growers Association; and other individuals have requested additional time to develop comments. The Agency believes that an additional 60 days is warranted. VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:25 Jun 19, 2007 Jkt 211001 Mefluidide 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 mefluidide, and opens a public comment period on these documents. The public is encouraged to suggest risk management ideas or proposals to address the risks identified. EPA is developing a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for mefluidide through a modified, 4-Phase public participation process that the Agency uses to involve the public in developing pesticide reregistration decisions. This is Phase 3 of the process. Through this program, EPA is ensuring that all pesticides meet current health and safety standards. DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 20, 2007. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA–HQ–OPP–2007–0431, by one of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. • Mail: Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) Regulatory Public Docket (7502P), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001. • Delivery: OPP Regulatory Public Docket (7502P), Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. S–4400, One Potomac Yard (South Building), 2777 S. Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA. Deliveries are only accepted during the Docket’s normal hours of operation (8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays). Special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. The Docket telephone number is (703) 305– 5805. PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 34007 Instructions: Direct your comments to docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–2007– 0431. EPA’s policy is that all comments received will be included in the docket without change and may be made available on-line at https:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through regulations.gov or email. The Federal regulations.gov website is an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-mail comment directly to EPA without going through regulations.gov, your email address will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the docket and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. 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. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses. Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the docket index available in regulations.gov. To access the electronic docket, go to https:// www.regulations.gov, select ‘‘Advanced Search,’’ then ‘‘Docket Search.’’ Insert the docket ID number where indicated and select the ‘‘Submit’’ button. Follow the instructions on the regulations.gov web site to view the docket index or access available documents. Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, is not placed on the Internet and will be publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly available docket materials are available either in the electronic docket at https:// www.regulations.gov, or, if only available in hard copy, at the OPP Regulatory Public Docket in Rm. S– 4400, One Potomac Yard (South Building), 2777 S. Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA. The hours of operation of this Docket Facility are from 8:30 a.m. E:\FR\FM\20JNN1.SGM 20JNN1 34008 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 20, 2007 / Notices to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The Docket telephone number is (703) 305–5805. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wilhelmena Livingston, Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001; telephone number: 703 308–8025; fax number: (703) 308–8005; e-mail address: livingston.wilhelmena@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. General Information rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES 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. What Should I Consider as I Prepare My Comments for EPA? 1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit this information to EPA through regulations.gov or e-mail. Clearly mark the part or all of the information that you claim to be CBI. For CBI information in a disk or CD ROM that you mail to EPA, 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 claimed as CBI. In addition to one complete version of the comment that includes 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. Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2. 2. Tips for preparing your comments. When submitting comments, remember to: i. Identify the document by docket ID number and other identifying information (subject heading, Federal Register date and page number). ii. Follow directions. The Agency may ask you to respond to specific questions or organize comments by referencing a Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part or section number. VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:25 Jun 19, 2007 Jkt 211001 iii. Explain why you agree or disagree; suggest alternatives and substitute language for your requested changes. iv. Describe any assumptions and provide any technical information and/ or data that you used. v. If you estimate potential costs or burdens, explain how you arrived at your estimate in sufficient detail to allow for it to be reproduced. vi. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns and suggest alternatives. vii. Explain your views as clearly as possible, avoiding the use of profanity or personal threats. viii. Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period deadline identified. 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 and related documents for mefluidide, and soliciting public comment on risk management ideas or proposals. Mefluidide is a plant growth regulator that is applied postemergence when needed. EPA developed the risk assessments and risk characterization for mefluidide 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). Mefluidide is a plant growth regulator that is applied postemergence when needed. It is used to control ornamental and non-ornamental woody plants, ground cover, hedges trees, turf grasses, grass and broadleaf weeds by inhibiting plant cell division, stem elongation and seed head development. It is also registered for growth control of low maintenance turf on rights-of way, airports, public and industrial sites. Mefluidide products can also be used on residential lawns. EPA is providing an opportunity, through this notice, for interested parties to provide comments and input on the Agency’s risk assessments for mefluidide. Such comments and input could address, for example, the availability of additional data to further refine the risk assessments, such as usage/use information for nonagricultural uses, or could address the Agency’s risk assessment methodologies PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 and assumptions as applied to this specific pesticide. Through this notice, EPA also is providing an opportunity for interested parties to provide risk management proposals or otherwise comment on risk management for mefluidide. Risks of concern associated with the use of mefluidide are: Acute (listed and nonlisted) and chronic risks to mammals and birds, as well as acute (listed and non-listed) risk to terrestrial and semiaquatic plants from use on ornamental turf. In targeting these risks of concern, the Agency solicits information on effective and practical risk reduction measures. 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 mefluidide, compared to the general population. 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 the issues, and degree of public concern associated with each pesticide. For mefluidide, a modified, 4-Phase process with one comment period and ample opportunity for public consultation seems appropriate in view of its 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. All comments should be submitted using the methods in ADDRESSES, and must be received by EPA on or before the closing date. Comments will become part of the Agency Docket for mefluidide. Comments received after the close of the comment period will be marked ‘‘late.’’ EPA is not required to consider these late comments. E:\FR\FM\20JNN1.SGM 20JNN1 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 20, 2007 / Notices 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.’’ List of Subjects Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests. Dated: June 12, 2007. Peter Caulkins, Acting Director, Special Review and Reregistration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs. [FR Doc. E7–11943 Filed 6–19–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–S B. How Can I Get Copies of this Document and Other Related Information? 1. Docket. EPA has established a docket for this action under docket identification (ID) number EPA–HQ– OPP–2007–0179. Publicly available docket materials are available either in the electronic docket at https:// www.regulations.gov, or, if only available in hard copy, at the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) Regulatory Public Docket in Rm. S–4400, One Potomac Yard (South Bldg.), 2777 S. Crystal Dr., Arlington, VA. The hours of operation of this Docket Facility are from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The Docket Facility 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. II. EUPs ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–OPP–2007–0179; FRL–8133–5] Issuance of Experimental Use Permits Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: EPA has granted experimental use permits (EUPs) to the following pesticide applicants. An EUP permits use of a pesticide for experimental or research purposes only in accordance with the limitations in the permit. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alan Reynolds, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division (7511P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001; telephone number: (703) 605–0515; e-mail address: reynolds.alan@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. General Information rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES A. Does this Action Apply to Me? This action is directed to the public in general. Although this action may be of particular interest to those persons who conduct or sponsor research on pesticides, 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 information in this action, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:25 Jun 19, 2007 Jkt 211001 EPA has issued the following EUPs: 264–EUP–140. Extension. Bayer CropScience LP, 2. T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. This EUP allows the use of 1,008 pounds of cotton seed containing the following plant incorporated protectant (PIP) in the amount specified: 0.016 pounds of Cry1Ab protein and the genetic material necessary for its production (vector pTDL004) in Events T303–3 and T304–40 cotton. This EUP allows the use of this seed on 84 acres of Events T303–3 and T304–40 cotton. Four trial protocols will be conducted, including: • Efficacy testing. • Agronomic evaluation. • Dissemination of pollen evaluation. • Production of sample material for use in regulatory studies. The program is authorized only in the States of Arizona, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. The EUP is effective from March 8, 2007 to May 1, 2008. An exemption from tolerance has been established for residues of the active ingredient in or on all cotton commodities. One comment was received from a private citizen in response to the notice of receipt for this permit application, which was published in the Federal Register on January 17, 2007 (72 FR 1993) (FRL– 8105–7). The private citizen indicated that she opposed testing under this EUP except in fully enclosed greenhouses, and expressed the viewpoint that the permittee should be required to request PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 34009 permission from neighbors prior to testing. The Agency understands the commenter’s concerns. Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the Agency is tasked with reviewing applications for EUPs for any pesticide, including PIPs, and granting such applications to the extent that the conditions of FIFRA section 5, and the regulations thereunder, have been met (subject to such terms and conditions as the Agency determines are warranted). In this instance, EPA has determined that the relevant statutory and regulatory conditions have been met. In addition, there is nothing in FIFRA or in the Agency’s regulations enacted thereunder that compels, and EPA does not otherwise require, a permittee to notify neighbors prior to testing as suggested. Finally, although certain containment provisions were required per the experimental program, the Agency did not require testing to be conducted in fully enclosed greenhouses because such a requirement was not necessary to mitigate risk. 67979–EUP–6. Issuance. Syngenta Seeds, Inc., P.O. Box 12257, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. This EUP allows the use of 62,173 pounds of corn seed containing the following plant incorporated protectants (PIPs) in the amounts specified: 0.916 pounds of Vip3Aa20 protein and the genetic material necessary for its production (vector pNOV1300) in Event MIR 162 corn, 0.046 pounds of Cry1Ab protein and the genetic material necessary for its production (vector pZO1502) in Event Bt11 corn, and 0.013 pounds of mCry3A protein and the genetic material necessary for its production (vector pZM26) in Event MIR 604 corn. This EUP allows the use of this seed on 536 acres of MIR 162 corn; 220 acres of Bt11 corn; 199 acres of MIR 604 corn; 469 acres of Bt11 x MIR 162 corn; and 468 acres of Bt11 x MIR 162 x MIR 604 corn for 2007–2008. Five trial protocols will be conducted, including: • Breeding and observation. • Insect efficacy. • Agronomic evaluation. • Inbred and hybrid seed production. • Regulatory studies. The program is authorized only in the States of California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin. The EUP is effective from March 21, 2007 to March 31, 2008. Permanent or temporary exemptions from tolerance have been established for E:\FR\FM\20JNN1.SGM 20JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 118 (Wednesday, June 20, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34007-34009]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-11943]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0431; FRL-8135-4]


Mefluidide Risk Assessments; Notice of Availability

AGENCY:  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:  Notice.

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

SUMMARY:  This notice announces the availability of EPA's risk 
assessments, and related documents for the pesticide mefluidide, and 
opens a public comment period on these documents. The public is 
encouraged to suggest risk management ideas or proposals to address the 
risks identified. EPA is developing a Reregistration Eligibility 
Decision (RED) for mefluidide through a modified, 4-Phase public 
participation process that the Agency uses to involve the public in 
developing pesticide reregistration decisions. This is Phase 3 of the 
process. Through this program, EPA is ensuring that all pesticides meet 
current health and safety standards.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 20, 2007.

ADDRESSES:  Submit your comments, identified by docket identification 
(ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0431, by one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) Regulatory Public 
Docket (7502P), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001.
     Delivery: OPP Regulatory Public Docket (7502P), 
Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. S-4400, One Potomac Yard (South 
Building), 2777 S. Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA. Deliveries are only 
accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation (8:30 a.m. to 4 
p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays). Special 
arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information. The 
Docket telephone number is (703) 305-5805.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-
2007-0431. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included 
in the docket without change and may be made available on-line at 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information 
provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be 
Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you 
consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through regulations.gov or e-
mail. The Federal regulations.gov website is an ``anonymous access'' 
system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact 
information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you 
send an e-mail comment directly to EPA without going through 
regulations.gov, your e-mail address will be automatically captured and 
included as part of the comment that is placed in the docket and made 
available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA 
recommends that you include your name and other contact information in 
the body of your comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. 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. Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, 
any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses.
    Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the docket index 
available in regulations.gov. To access the electronic docket, go to 
https://www.regulations.gov, select ``Advanced Search,'' then ``Docket 
Search.'' Insert the docket ID number where indicated and select the 
``Submit'' button. Follow the instructions on the regulations.gov web 
site to view the docket index or access available documents. Although 
listed in the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., 
CBI or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. 
Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, is not placed on 
the Internet and will be publicly available only in hard copy form. 
Publicly available docket materials are available either in the 
electronic docket at https://www.regulations.gov, or, if only available 
in hard copy, at the OPP Regulatory Public Docket in Rm. S-4400, One 
Potomac Yard (South Building), 2777 S. Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA. 
The hours of operation of this Docket Facility are from 8:30 a.m.

[[Page 34008]]

to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The Docket 
telephone number is (703) 305-5805.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Wilhelmena Livingston, Special Review 
and Reregistration Division (7508P), Office of Pesticide Programs, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: 703 308-8025; fax number: 
(703) 308-8005; e-mail address: livingston.wilhelmena@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. What Should I Consider as I Prepare My Comments for EPA?

    1.  Submitting CBI. Do not submit this information to EPA through 
regulations.gov or e-mail. Clearly mark the part or all of the 
information that you claim to be CBI. For CBI information in a disk or 
CD ROM that you mail to EPA, 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 claimed as CBI. In addition to one 
complete version of the comment that includes 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. 
Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance with 
procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2.
    2.  Tips for preparing your comments. When submitting comments, 
remember to:
    i. Identify the document by docket ID number and other identifying 
information (subject heading, Federal Register date and page number).
    ii. Follow directions. The Agency may ask you to respond to 
specific questions or organize comments by referencing a Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR) part or section number.
    iii. Explain why you agree or disagree; suggest alternatives and 
substitute language for your requested changes.
    iv. Describe any assumptions and provide any technical information 
and/or data that you used.
    v. If you estimate potential costs or burdens, explain how you 
arrived at your estimate in sufficient detail to allow for it to be 
reproduced.
    vi. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns and 
suggest alternatives.
    vii. Explain your views as clearly as possible, avoiding the use of 
profanity or personal threats.
    viii. Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period 
deadline identified.

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 and related documents 
for mefluidide, and soliciting public comment on risk management ideas 
or proposals. Mefluidide is a plant growth regulator that is applied 
postemergence when needed. EPA developed the risk assessments and risk 
characterization for mefluidide 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).
    Mefluidide is a plant growth regulator that is applied 
postemergence when needed. It is used to control ornamental and non-
ornamental woody plants, ground cover, hedges trees, turf grasses, 
grass and broadleaf weeds by inhibiting plant cell division, stem 
elongation and seed head development. It is also registered for growth 
control of low maintenance turf on rights-of way, airports, public and 
industrial sites. Mefluidide products can also be used on residential 
lawns.
    EPA is providing an opportunity, through this notice, for 
interested parties to provide comments and input on the Agency's risk 
assessments for mefluidide. Such comments and input could address, for 
example, the availability of additional data to further refine the risk 
assessments, such as usage/use information for non-agricultural uses, 
or could address the Agency's risk assessment methodologies and 
assumptions as applied to this specific pesticide.
    Through this notice, EPA also is providing an opportunity for 
interested parties to provide risk management proposals or otherwise 
comment on risk management for mefluidide. Risks of concern associated 
with the use of mefluidide are: Acute (listed and non-listed) and 
chronic risks to mammals and birds, as well as acute (listed and non-
listed) risk to terrestrial and semi-aquatic plants from use on 
ornamental turf. In targeting these risks of concern, the Agency 
solicits information on effective and practical risk reduction 
measures.
    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 mefluidide, compared to the 
general population.
    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 
the issues, and degree of public concern associated with each 
pesticide. For mefluidide, a modified, 4-Phase process with one comment 
period and ample opportunity for public consultation seems appropriate 
in view of its 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.
    All comments should be submitted using the methods in ADDRESSES, 
and must be received by EPA on or before the closing date. Comments 
will become part of the Agency Docket for mefluidide. Comments received 
after the close of the comment period will be marked ``late.'' EPA is 
not required to consider these late comments.

[[Page 34009]]

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.''

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests.


    Dated: June 12, 2007.
Peter Caulkins,
Acting Director, Special Review and Reregistration Division, Office of 
Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. E7-11943 Filed 6-19-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S
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