Sodium Carbonate; Weak Mineral Bases; Reregistration Eligibility Decision for Low Risk Pesticide; Notice of Availability, 49712-49714 [E7-16806]

Download as PDF 49712 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 167 / Wednesday, August 29, 2007 / Notices III. Registration Reviews A. What Action is the Agency Taking? As directed by FIFRA section 3(g), EPA is periodically reviewing pesticide registrations to assure that they continue to satisfy the FIFRA standard for registration—that is, they can still be used without unreasonable adverse effects on human health or the environment. The implementing regulations establishing the procedures for registration review appear at 40 CFR part 155. A pesticide’s registration review begins when the Agency establishes a docket for the pesticide’s registration review case and opens the docket for public review and comment. At present, EPA is opening registration review dockets for the cases identified in the following table. TABLE1.—REGISTRATION REVIEW DOCKETS OPENING Registration Review Case Name and Number Pesticide Docket ID Number Chemical Review Manager, Telephone Number, E-mail Address Fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, 7209 EPA-HQ-OPP–2007–0437 Kylie Rothwell (703) 308–8055 rothwell.kylie@epa.gov Etofenprox,7407 EPA-HQ-OPP–2007–0804 Sherrie Kinard (703) 305–0563 kinard.sherrie@epa.gov jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES B. Docket Content 1. Review dockets. The registration review dockets contain information that the Agency may consider in the course of the registration review. The Agency may include information from its files including, but not limited to, the following information: • An overview of the registration review case status. • A list of current product registrations and registrants. • Federal Register notices regarding any pending registration actions. • Federal Register notices regarding current or pending tolerances. • Risk assessments. • Bibliographies concerning current registrations. • Summaries of incident data. • Any other pertinent data or information. Each docket contains a document summarizing what the Agency currently knows about the pesticide case and a preliminary work plan for anticipated data and assessment needs. Additional documents provide more detailed information. During this public comment period, the Agency is asking that interested persons identify any additional information they believe the Agency should consider during the registration reviews of these pesticides. The Agency identifies in each docket the areas where public comment is specifically requested, though comment in any area is welcome. 2. Other related information. More information on these cases, including the active ingredients for each case, may be located in the registration review schedule on the Agency’s website at https://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/ registrationlreview/schedule.htm. Information on the Agency’s registration review program and its implementing VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:04 Aug 28, 2007 Jkt 211001 regulation may be seen at https:// www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/ registrationlreview. 3. Information submission requirements. Anyone may submit data or information in response to this document. To be considered during a pesticide’s registration review, the submitted data or information must meet the following requirements: • To ensure that EPA will consider data or information submitted, interested persons must submit the data or information during the comment period. The Agency may, at its discretion, consider data or information submitted at a later date. • The data or information submitted must be presented in a legible and useable form. For example, an English translation must accompany any material that is not in English and a written transcript must accompany any information submitted as an audiographic or videographic record. Written material may be submitted in paper or electronic form. • Submitters must clearly identify the source of any submitted data or information. • Submitters may request the Agency to reconsider data or information that the Agency rejected in a previous review. However, submitters must explain why they believe the Agency should reconsider the data or information in the pesticide’s registration review. • As provided in 40 CFR 155.58, the registration review docket for each pesticide case will remain publicly accessible through the duration of the registration review process; that is, until all actions required in the final decision on the registration review case have been completed. PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 List of Subjects Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests. Dated: August 23, 2007. Martha Monell, Acting Director, Office of Pesticides Programs. [FR Doc. E7–17111 Filed 8–28–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–S ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–OPP–2006–0028; FRL–8123–5] Sodium Carbonate; Weak Mineral Bases; Reregistration Eligibility Decision for Low Risk Pesticide; 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 sodium carbonate; weak mineral bases, and opens a public comment period on this document, related risk assessments, and other support documents. EPA has reviewed the low risk pesticide sodium carbonate; weak mineral bases through a modified, streamlined version of 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 must be received on or before October 29, 2007. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket identification (ID) E:\FR\FM\29AUN1.SGM 29AUN1 jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 167 / Wednesday, August 29, 2007 / Notices number EPA–HQ–OPP–2006–0028, 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 Bldg.), 2777 S. Crystal Dr., 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–2006– 0028. 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 Web site 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 https://www.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 VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:04 Aug 28, 2007 Jkt 211001 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 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Isbell, Antimicrobials Division (7510P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001; telephone number: (703) 308–8154; fax number: (703) 308– 8481; e-mail address: isbell.diane@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 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 49713 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? 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, sodium carbonate, weak mineral bases under section 4(g)(2)(A) of FIFRA. Sodium carbonate is registered as an active ingredient fungicide that is used as a neutralizer and buffering agent in industrial and manufacturing processes. In addition, sodium carbonate is used as a hard surface disinfectant and sanitizer in institutional and residential settings. EPA has determined that the data base to support reregistration is substantially complete and that products containing sodium carbonate; weak mineral bases will be eligible for reregistration. Upon submission of any required product E:\FR\FM\29AUN1.SGM 29AUN1 jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES 49714 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 167 / Wednesday, August 29, 2007 / Notices specific data under section 4(g)(2)(B) and any necessary changes to the registration and labeling (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 sodium carbonate; weak mineral bases. 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 sodium carbonate; weak mineral bases, which pose no risk concerns, have low use, affect few if any stakeholders, 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 sodium carbonate; weak mineral bases 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. Sodium carbonate; weak mineral bases, however, poses no risks that require mitigation. The Agency therefore is issuing the sodium carbonate; weak mineral bases 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 ADDRESSES, and must be received by EPA on or before the closing date. These comments will become part of the Agency Docket for sodium carbonate; weak mineral bases. Comments received after the close of the comment period will be 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 regulations.gov. If any comment significantly affects the document, EPA VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:04 Aug 28, 2007 Jkt 211001 also will publish an amendment to the RED in the Federal Register. In the absence of substantive comments requiring changes, the sodium carbonate; weak mineral bases 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.’’ List of Subjects Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests, sodium carbonate; weak mineral bases. Dated: August 9, 2007. Frank Sanders, Director, Antimicrobials Division, Office of Pesticide Programs. [FR Doc. E7–16806 Filed 8–28–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–S ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–RCRA–2006–0796; FRL–8462–2] RIN 2050–AE81 Notice of Data Availability on the Disposal of Coal Combustion Wastes in Landfills and Surface Impoundments Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice of Data Availability. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of new information and data contained in three documents that the Agency is requesting public comments on concerning the management of coal combustion wastes (CCW) in landfills and surface impoundments. The Agency is seeking public comments on how, if at all, this additional information should affect the Agency’s decisions as it continues to follow-up on its Regulatory Determination for CCW disposed of in landfills and surface impoundments. The three documents that the Agency is requesting comment on include: a joint U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and EPA report entitled, Coal Combustion Waste Management at Landfills and Surface Impoundments, 1994–2004; a draft risk assessment conducted by EPA on the management PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 of CCW in landfills and surface impoundments; and EPA’s damage case assessment. The Agency solicits comments on the extent to which the damage case information, the results of the risk assessment, and the new liner and ground water monitoring information from the DOE/EPA report should affect the Agency’s decisions. EPA is also requesting direct comment on the draft risk assessment document to help inform a planned peer review. In addition, the Agency has included in the Docket to this Notice of Data Availability (NODA) a rulemaking petition submitted by a number of citizens’ groups and several approaches, one prepared by the electric utility industry and the other prepared by a number of citizens’ groups, regarding the management of CCW. The Agency will consider all the information provided through this notice, the comments and new information submitted on this notice, as well as the results of a subsequent peer review of the risk assessment as it continues to follow-up on its Regulatory Determination for CCW disposed of in landfills and surface impoundments. DATES: Submit comments on or before November 27, 2007. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– RCRA–2006–0796, by one of the following methods: • www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. • E-mail: Comments may be sent by electronic mail (e-mail) to rcradocket@epa.gov, Attention Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–RCRA–2006–0796. 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 email 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. • Fax: Comments may be faxed to 202–566–0272. Attention Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–RCRA–2006–0796. • Mail: Send two copies of your comments to Notice of Data Availability on the Disposal of Coal Combustion Wastes in Landfills and Surface Impoundments, Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode: 5305T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. Attention E:\FR\FM\29AUN1.SGM 29AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 167 (Wednesday, August 29, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49712-49714]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-16806]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0028; FRL-8123-5]


Sodium Carbonate; Weak Mineral Bases; Reregistration Eligibility 
Decision for Low Risk Pesticide; 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 sodium 
carbonate; weak mineral bases, and opens a public comment period on 
this document, related risk assessments, and other support documents. 
EPA has reviewed the low risk pesticide sodium carbonate; weak mineral 
bases through a modified, streamlined version of 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 must be received on or before October 29, 2007.

ADDRESSES:  Submit your comments, identified by docket identification 
(ID)

[[Page 49713]]

number EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0028, 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 
Bldg.), 2777 S. Crystal Dr., 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-
2006-0028. 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 Web site 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 https://
www.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 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Diane Isbell, Antimicrobials Division 
(7510P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone 
number: (703) 308-8154; fax number: (703) 308-8481; e-mail address: 
isbell.diane@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?

    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, sodium 
carbonate, weak mineral bases under section 4(g)(2)(A) of FIFRA. Sodium 
carbonate is registered as an active ingredient fungicide that is used 
as a neutralizer and buffering agent in industrial and manufacturing 
processes. In addition, sodium carbonate is used as a hard surface 
disinfectant and sanitizer in institutional and residential settings.
     EPA has determined that the data base to support reregistration is 
substantially complete and that products containing sodium carbonate; 
weak mineral bases will be eligible for reregistration. Upon submission 
of any required product

[[Page 49714]]

specific data under section 4(g)(2)(B) and any necessary changes to the 
registration and labeling (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 sodium carbonate; weak mineral bases.
     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 sodium 
carbonate; weak mineral bases, which pose no risk concerns, have low 
use, affect few if any stakeholders, 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 sodium carbonate; weak mineral bases 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. Sodium carbonate; weak mineral bases, 
however, poses no risks that require mitigation. The Agency therefore 
is issuing the sodium carbonate; weak mineral bases 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 
ADDRESSES, and must be received by EPA on or before the closing date. 
These comments will become part of the Agency Docket for sodium 
carbonate; weak mineral bases. Comments received after the close of the 
comment period will be 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 regulations.gov. 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 sodium 
carbonate; weak mineral bases 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.''

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests, sodium carbonate; 
weak mineral bases.

    Dated: August 9, 2007.
Frank Sanders,
Director, Antimicrobials Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. E7-16806 Filed 8-28-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S
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