Pesticides; Science Policies; Notice of Withdrawal and Notice of Availability, 4684-4686 [2011-1633]

Download as PDF 4684 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 17 / Wednesday, January 26, 2011 / Notices are or may be required to conduct testing of chemical substances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) or the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Since other entities may also be interested, the Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may be affected by this action. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES 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. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:27 Jan 25, 2011 Jkt 223001 3. Environmental justice. EPA seeks to achieve environmental justice, the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of any group, including minority and/or low income populations, 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 or disproportionately high and adverse human health impacts or environmental effects from exposure to the pesticide(s) discussed in this document, compared to the general population. II. What action is the agency taking? Under section 5 of FIFRA, 7 U.S.C. 136c, EPA can allow manufacturers to field test pesticides under development. Manufacturers are required to obtain an EUP before testing new pesticides or new uses of pesticides if they conduct experimental field tests on 10 acres or more of land or one acre or more of water. Pursuant to 40 CFR 172.11(a), the Agency has determined that the following EUP application may be of regional and national significance, and therefore is seeking public comment on the EUP application: Submitter: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., (29964–EUP–RR). Pesticide Chemicals: (1) [TC1507] Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1F protein and the genetic material (plasmid insert PHI8999A) necessary for its production in corn event DAS–;15;7–1, (2) [DAS– 59122–7] Bacillus thuringiensis Cry34Ab1 and Cry35Ab1 proteins and the genetic material necessary for their production (PHP17662 T–DNA) in event DAS59122–7 corn (OECD Unique Identifier: DAS–59122–7), (3) [MON810] Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ab deltaendotoxin and the genetic material necessary for its production (Vestor PV– ZMCT01) in event MON 810 corn (OECD Unique Identifier: MON– ;;81;–6)], and (4) [MIR604] Modified Cry3A protein and the genetic material necessary for its production (via elements of pZM26) in corn (SYN– IR604–8). Summary of Request: This application is for use on 3,336 acres between February 2011 and June 2012. Two protocols will be conducted, including: Insect resistance management and efficacy/expression. States and Commonwealth involved include: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. A copy of the application and any information submitted is available for public review in the docket established for this EUP application as described under ADDRESSES. Following the review of the application and any comments and data received in response to this solicitation, EPA will decide whether to issue or deny the EUP request, and if issued, the conditions under which it is to be conducted. Any issuance of an EUP will be announced in the Federal Register. List of Subjects Environmental protection, Experimental use permits. Dated: January 12, 2011. Keith A. Matthews, Acting Director, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division, Office of Pesticide Programs. [FR Doc. 2011–1473 Filed 1–25–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–OPP–2010–0830; FRL–8854–2] Pesticides; Science Policies; Notice of Withdrawal and Notice of Availability Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: EPA announces the withdrawal of two pesticide science policy documents that are no longer in use, entitled: ‘‘The Incorporation of Water Treatment Effects on Pesticide Removal and Transformations in Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) Drinking Water Assessments,’’ dated October 25, 2001, and ‘‘Drinking Water Screening Level Assessments,’’ dated September 1, 2000. EPA also announces the availability of two updated pesticide science policy documents, entitled: ‘‘The Development and Use of the Index Reservoir in Drinking Water Exposure Assessments,’’ dated April 15, 2010, and ‘‘Guidance on Development and Use of Percent Cropped Area Adjustment,’’ dated September 9, 2010. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marietta Echeverria, Environmental Fate and Effects Division (7507P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460– 0001; telephone number: (703) 305– SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\26JAN1.SGM 26JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 17 / Wednesday, January 26, 2011 / Notices 8578; fax number: (703) 308–6181; e-mail address: echeverria.marietta@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. General Information mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES A. Does this action apply to me? This action is directed to the public in general. This action, however, may be of interest to persons who produce or formulate pesticides or who register pesticide products. Since other entities may also be interested, the Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may be affected by this action. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. draft and revised documents concerning the nine science policy issues that were identified. The documents are available at https://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/trac/ science/. Since that time, EPA has periodically identified the need to update the documents to ensure that the policy and guidance provided is current. This Federal Register notice announces the withdrawal of two obsolete documents and the availability of two updated documents. III. Status Update for Pesticide Science Policy Documents A. Withdrawn Documents EPA is withdrawing the pesticide science policy document ‘‘The Incorporation of Water Treatment Effects on Pesticide Removal and Transformations in Food Quality B. How can I get copies of this document Protection Act (FQPA) Drinking Water and other related information? Assessments,’’ dated October 25, 2001, because it is obsolete. When drafted in EPA has established a docket for this 2001, this science policy document was action under docket identification (ID) developed with two objectives: (1) To number EPA–HQ–OPP–2010–0830. present a preliminary literature review Publicly available docket materials are on the impact of different treatment available either in the electronic docket at https://www.regulations.gov, or, if only processes on pesticide removal and transformation in treated drinking water available in hard copy, at the Office of derived from ground and surface water Pesticide Programs (OPP) Regulatory sources; and (2) to describe how OPP Public Docket in Rm. S–4400, One would consider the impacts of drinking Potomac Yard (South Bldg.), 2777 S. Crystal Dr., Arlington, VA. The hours of water treatment in drinking water exposure assessments under FQPA. operation of this Docket Facility are Since the issuance of this policy from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday document, OPP has adjusted its through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The Docket Facility telephone methods for estimating pesticide concentrations in drinking water, using number is (703) 305–5805. a variety of data and different models. II. Background Up to date information on the methods, The Food Quality Protection Act of models and databases used for drinking 1996 significantly amended the Federal water exposure assessments is available Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide at https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/ Act (FIFRA) (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.) and science/models_db.htm. the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic EPA is also withdrawing the science Act (FFDCA) (21 U.S.C. 346). Among policy document entitled: ‘‘Drinking other changes, FQPA established a Water Screening Level Assessments,’’ stringent health-based standard (‘‘a dated September 1, 2000, because the reasonable certainty of no harm’’) for information it provided has been pesticide residues in foods to assure superseded by the two updated protection from unacceptable pesticide documents whose availability is exposure and strengthened health announced in the next section. protections for infants and children B. Updated Documents from pesticide risks. The updated science policy document Working with stakeholders and a Federal advisory committee, the Agency entitled ‘‘Development and Use of the Index Reservoir in Drinking Water identified several science policy issues Exposure Assessments,’’ dated April 15, that were key to the implementation of 2010, updates and supersedes the FQPA and tolerance reassessment. In the Federal Register of October 29, 1998 science policy document entitled ‘‘Guidance for Use of the Index (63 FR 58038) (FRL–6041–5), EPA Reservoir in Drinking Water Exposure published a framework to describe the Assessments,’’ dated November 16, issues, and the public participation 1999. It also reflects changes in process that EPA would use to review the documents developed to address the procedures, error corrections, and editorial modifications to improve issues identified. Following that clarity and completeness. This science process, EPA then issued a series of VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:27 Jan 25, 2011 Jkt 223001 PO 00000 Frm 00077 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 4685 policy document is intended to provide guidance on the development and use of the index reservoir scenario for use in estimating pesticide concentrations in drinking water derived from vulnerable surface water supplies. Between 1996, after passage of the FQPA, and 2000 the Agency used the ‘‘standard pond’’ as an interim scenario for drinking water exposure. In 2000, the Agency began using the index reservoir scenario to represent a watershed capable of supporting a drinking water facility that is prone to high pesticide concentrations. With the use of the index reservoir scenario, the Office of Pesticide Programs was able to improve the quality and accuracy of its models for estimating pesticide concentrations in drinking water. This updated pesticide science policy document is available online at https://www.epa.gov/ oppefed1/models/water/ index_reservoir_dwa.html. The updated science policy document entitled ‘‘Development and Use of Percent Cropped Area Adjustment Factors in Drinking Water Exposure Assessments,’’ dated September 9, 2010, merges two previous documents, entitled ‘‘Percent Crop Area Adjustment to Tier 2 Surface Water Model Estimates for Pesticide Drinking Water Exposure Assessments,’’ dated December 7, 1999, and ‘‘Use of Regional Percent Crop Area Factors in Refined Drinking Water Assessments,’’ dated July 23, 2003, and supersedes both of them. The updated science policy document is intended to provide guidance on the development and use of the percent cropped area (PCA) adjustment factors in estimating the exposure in drinking water derived from vulnerable surface water supplies. Since the passage of FQPA in 1996 through 2000, the Agency assumed the entire area of the watershed was planted with the crop of interest (i.e. crop coverage). In 2000, the Agency began using the PCA adjustment factor to account for the percentage of the watersheds planted with a crop, recognizing that a watershed large enough to support a drinking water facility will not usually be planted completely with a single crop. Use of this factor improves the quality and accuracy of OPP’s modeling of drinking water exposure for pesticides. This updated pesticide science policy document is available online at https:// www.epa.gov/oppefed1/models/water/ pca_adjustment_dwa.html. IV. Policies Not Rules The policy documents discussed in this notice are intended to provide guidance to EPA personnel and decision makers, and to the public. As a guidance E:\FR\FM\26JAN1.SGM 26JAN1 4686 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 17 / Wednesday, January 26, 2011 / Notices document and not a rule, the policies in this guidance are not binding on either EPA or any outside parties. Although this guidance provides a starting point for EPA risk assessments, EPA will depart from its policy where the facts or circumstances warrant. In such cases, EPA will explain why a different course was taken. Similarly, outside parties remain free to assert that a policy is not appropriate for a specific pesticide or that the circumstances surrounding a specific risk assessment demonstrate that a policy should not be applied. List of Subjects Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, Agricultural commodities, Pesticides and pests. Dated: January 19, 2011. Stephen A. Owens, Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. [FR Doc. 2011–1633 Filed 1–25–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–OPP–2010–0014; FRL–8861–4] Product Cancellation Order for Certain Pesticide Registrations Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: This notice announces EPA’s order for the cancellations, voluntarily requested by the registrants and accepted by the Agency, of the products listed in Table 1 of Unit II., pursuant to section 6(f)(1) of the Federal Insecticide, SUMMARY: Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), as amended. This cancellation order follows a June 16, 2010 Federal Register Notice of Receipt of Requests from the registrants listed in Table 2 of Unit II. to voluntarily cancel these product registrations. In the June 16, 2010 notice, EPA indicated that it would issue an order implementing the cancellations, unless the Agency received substantive comments within the 180-day comment period that would merit its further review of these requests, or unless the registrants withdrew their requests. The Agency did not receive any comments on the notice. Further, the Agency received notice from Waterbury Companies, Inc. to withdraw its cancellation request for product 9444–170. Accordingly, EPA hereby issues in this notice a cancellation order granting the requested cancellations. Any distribution, sale, or use of the products subject to this cancellation order is permitted only in accordance with the terms of this order, including any existing stocks provisions. DATES: The cancellations are effective January 26, 2011. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maia Tatinclaux, Pesticide Reevaluation Division (7508P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460– 0001; telephone number: (703) 347– 0123; fax number: (703) 308–8090; email address: tatinclaux.maia@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? EPA has established a docket for this action under docket identification (ID) number EPA–HQ–OPP–2010–0014. 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. II. What action is the agency taking? This notice announces the cancellation, as requested by registrants, of 54 products registered under FIFRA section 3 or section 24(c). These registrations are listed in sequence by registration number in Table 1 of this unit. TABLE 1—PRODUCT CANCELLATIONS mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES Registration No. Product name 000004–00059 .............................................. 000228–00629 .............................................. 000228–00683 .............................................. 000279–03392 .............................................. 000432–00800 .............................................. 000432–00801 .............................................. 000432–00802 .............................................. 000432–00841 .............................................. 000432–00848 .............................................. 000432–0870 ................................................ 000432–0871 ................................................ 000498–0149 ................................................ 000498–00170 .............................................. 000769–00594 .............................................. 000769-–0965 .............................................. 002517–00022 .............................................. 002517–00049 .............................................. 002517–00059 .............................................. 002517–00067 .............................................. 002517–00074 .............................................. Bonide Rose & Flower Dust ........................................ SFM E–PRO 75 EG Herbicide .................................... ET–002 ........................................................................ CB–38–3 WB ............................................................... Esbiol 90% Concentrate .............................................. Esbiothrin 90% Concentrate ........................................ Bioallethrin 90% Concentrate ...................................... DS 215 Professional Insecticide ................................. DS 210 Professional Insecticide ................................. Esbiol 300 Insecticide .................................................. Esbiol 2000 Insecticide ................................................ Chase-MM Flying and Crawling Insect Killer .............. Spraypak Wasp & Hornet Killer, Formula 2 ................ R&M Permethrin Flea & Tick Dip #2 ........................... Sureco Permethrin Powder ......................................... Double Duty Bird Guard .............................................. Sergeant’s Pump Soap for Dogs ................................ Sergeant’s Skip-Flea Soap (with D-Phenothrin) ......... Sergeant’s Flea and Tick Dip ...................................... Sergeant’s Flea & Tick Spray ..................................... VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:27 Jan 25, 2011 Jkt 223001 PO 00000 Frm 00078 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Active ingredients Malathion Carbaryl Captan. Sulfometuron. Sulfometuron. Piperonyl Butoxide Pyrethrins. S-Bioallethrin. Esbiothrin. Bioallethrin. S-Bioallethrin Deltamethrin. S-Bioallethrin Deltamethrin. S-Bioallethrin. S-Bioallethrin. Bioallethrin MGK 264 Permethrin. d-Allethrin Phenothrin. MGK 264 Permethrin. Permethrin. Paradichlorobenzene. Bioallethrin MGK 264 Phenothrin. MGK 264 Phenothrin. MGK 264 Permethrin. MGK 264 Permethrin. E:\FR\FM\26JAN1.SGM 26JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 17 (Wednesday, January 26, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4684-4686]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-1633]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0830; FRL-8854-2]


Pesticides; Science Policies; Notice of Withdrawal and Notice of 
Availability

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: EPA announces the withdrawal of two pesticide science policy 
documents that are no longer in use, entitled: ``The Incorporation of 
Water Treatment Effects on Pesticide Removal and Transformations in 
Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) Drinking Water Assessments,'' dated 
October 25, 2001, and ``Drinking Water Screening Level Assessments,'' 
dated September 1, 2000. EPA also announces the availability of two 
updated pesticide science policy documents, entitled: ``The Development 
and Use of the Index Reservoir in Drinking Water Exposure 
Assessments,'' dated April 15, 2010, and ``Guidance on Development and 
Use of Percent Cropped Area Adjustment,'' dated September 9, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marietta Echeverria, Environmental 
Fate and Effects Division (7507P), Office of Pesticide Programs, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (703) 305-

[[Page 4685]]

8578; fax number: (703) 308-6181; e-mail address: 
echeverria.marietta@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this action apply to me?

    This action is directed to the public in general. This action, 
however, may be of interest to persons who produce or formulate 
pesticides or who register pesticide products. Since other entities may 
also be interested, the Agency has not attempted to describe all the 
specific entities that may be affected by this action. If you have any 
questions 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?

    EPA has established a docket for this action under docket 
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0830. 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.

II. Background

    The Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 significantly amended the 
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (7 U.S.C. 
136 et seq.) and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) (21 
U.S.C. 346). Among other changes, FQPA established a stringent health-
based standard (``a reasonable certainty of no harm'') for pesticide 
residues in foods to assure protection from unacceptable pesticide 
exposure and strengthened health protections for infants and children 
from pesticide risks.
    Working with stakeholders and a Federal advisory committee, the 
Agency identified several science policy issues that were key to the 
implementation of FQPA and tolerance reassessment. In the Federal 
Register of October 29, 1998 (63 FR 58038) (FRL-6041-5), EPA published 
a framework to describe the issues, and the public participation 
process that EPA would use to review the documents developed to address 
the issues identified. Following that process, EPA then issued a series 
of draft and revised documents concerning the nine science policy 
issues that were identified. The documents are available at https://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/trac/science/. Since that time, EPA has 
periodically identified the need to update the documents to ensure that 
the policy and guidance provided is current. This Federal Register 
notice announces the withdrawal of two obsolete documents and the 
availability of two updated documents.

III. Status Update for Pesticide Science Policy Documents

A. Withdrawn Documents

    EPA is withdrawing the pesticide science policy document ``The 
Incorporation of Water Treatment Effects on Pesticide Removal and 
Transformations in Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) Drinking Water 
Assessments,'' dated October 25, 2001, because it is obsolete. When 
drafted in 2001, this science policy document was developed with two 
objectives: (1) To present a preliminary literature review on the 
impact of different treatment processes on pesticide removal and 
transformation in treated drinking water derived from ground and 
surface water sources; and (2) to describe how OPP would consider the 
impacts of drinking water treatment in drinking water exposure 
assessments under FQPA. Since the issuance of this policy document, OPP 
has adjusted its methods for estimating pesticide concentrations in 
drinking water, using a variety of data and different models. Up to 
date information on the methods, models and databases used for drinking 
water exposure assessments is available at https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/science/models_db.htm.
    EPA is also withdrawing the science policy document entitled: 
``Drinking Water Screening Level Assessments,'' dated September 1, 
2000, because the information it provided has been superseded by the 
two updated documents whose availability is announced in the next 
section.

B. Updated Documents

    The updated science policy document entitled ``Development and Use 
of the Index Reservoir in Drinking Water Exposure Assessments,'' dated 
April 15, 2010, updates and supersedes the science policy document 
entitled ``Guidance for Use of the Index Reservoir in Drinking Water 
Exposure Assessments,'' dated November 16, 1999. It also reflects 
changes in procedures, error corrections, and editorial modifications 
to improve clarity and completeness. This science policy document is 
intended to provide guidance on the development and use of the index 
reservoir scenario for use in estimating pesticide concentrations in 
drinking water derived from vulnerable surface water supplies. Between 
1996, after passage of the FQPA, and 2000 the Agency used the 
``standard pond'' as an interim scenario for drinking water exposure. 
In 2000, the Agency began using the index reservoir scenario to 
represent a watershed capable of supporting a drinking water facility 
that is prone to high pesticide concentrations. With the use of the 
index reservoir scenario, the Office of Pesticide Programs was able to 
improve the quality and accuracy of its models for estimating pesticide 
concentrations in drinking water. This updated pesticide science policy 
document is available online at https://www.epa.gov/oppefed1/models/water/index_reservoir_dwa.html.
    The updated science policy document entitled ``Development and Use 
of Percent Cropped Area Adjustment Factors in Drinking Water Exposure 
Assessments,'' dated September 9, 2010, merges two previous documents, 
entitled ``Percent Crop Area Adjustment to Tier 2 Surface Water Model 
Estimates for Pesticide Drinking Water Exposure Assessments,'' dated 
December 7, 1999, and ``Use of Regional Percent Crop Area Factors in 
Refined Drinking Water Assessments,'' dated July 23, 2003, and 
supersedes both of them. The updated science policy document is 
intended to provide guidance on the development and use of the percent 
cropped area (PCA) adjustment factors in estimating the exposure in 
drinking water derived from vulnerable surface water supplies. Since 
the passage of FQPA in 1996 through 2000, the Agency assumed the entire 
area of the watershed was planted with the crop of interest (i.e. crop 
coverage). In 2000, the Agency began using the PCA adjustment factor to 
account for the percentage of the watersheds planted with a crop, 
recognizing that a watershed large enough to support a drinking water 
facility will not usually be planted completely with a single crop. Use 
of this factor improves the quality and accuracy of OPP's modeling of 
drinking water exposure for pesticides. This updated pesticide science 
policy document is available online at https://www.epa.gov/oppefed1/models/water/pca_adjustment_dwa.html.

IV. Policies Not Rules

    The policy documents discussed in this notice are intended to 
provide guidance to EPA personnel and decision makers, and to the 
public. As a guidance

[[Page 4686]]

document and not a rule, the policies in this guidance are not binding 
on either EPA or any outside parties. Although this guidance provides a 
starting point for EPA risk assessments, EPA will depart from its 
policy where the facts or circumstances warrant. In such cases, EPA 
will explain why a different course was taken. Similarly, outside 
parties remain free to assert that a policy is not appropriate for a 
specific pesticide or that the circumstances surrounding a specific 
risk assessment demonstrate that a policy should not be applied.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, 
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides and pests.

    Dated: January 19, 2011.
Stephen A. Owens,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. 2011-1633 Filed 1-25-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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