EPA Proposal To Improve Corn Rootworm Resistance Management; Notice of Availability, 4564-4565 [2015-01170]

Download as PDF 4564 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 18 / Wednesday, January 28, 2015 / Notices the comment includes profanity, threats, information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. any program changes; rather, it is due to the correction of a mathematical error. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: [FR Doc. 2015–01457 Filed 1–27–15; 8:45 am] Patrick Yellin, Monitoring, Assistance, and Media Programs Division, Office of Compliance, Mail Code 2227A, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (202) 564–2970; fax number: (202) 564–0050; email address: yellin.patrick@epa.gov. BILLING CODE 6560–50–P mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supporting documents which explain in detail the information that the EPA will be collecting are available in the public docket for this ICR. The docket can be viewed online at www.regulations.gov or in person at the EPA Docket Center, WJC West, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC. The telephone number for the Docket Center is 202–566–1744. For additional information about EPA’s public docket, visit: https:// www.epa.gov/dockets. Abstract: Respondents are owners or operators of sulfuric acid plants. A sulfuric acid plant is any facility producing sulfuric acid (H2SO4) by the contact process by burning elemental sulfur, alkylation acid, hydrogen sulfide, organic sulfides and mercaptans, or acid sludge. A sulfuric acid plant does not include facilities where conversion to sulfuric acid is used primarily as a means of preventing emissions to the atmosphere of sulfur dioxide (SO2) or other sulfur compounds. Form Numbers: None. Respondents/affected entities: Owners or operators of sulfuric acid plants. Respondent’s obligation to respond: Mandatory (40 CFR part 60, subpart H). Estimated number of respondents: 53 (total). Frequency of response: Initially, occasionally, and semiannually. Total estimated burden: 13,409 hours (per year). Burden is defined at 5 CFR 1320.3(b). Total estimated cost: $1,551,276 (per year), which includes $238,500 in either annualized capital and/or operation & maintenance costs. Changes in the Estimates: There is an increase of 4,815 hours in the total estimated respondent burden in this ICR as compared to the ICR currently approved by OMB. This is not due to VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:41 Jan 27, 2015 Jkt 235001 Courtney Kerwin, Acting Director, Collection Strategies Division. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA–HQ–OPP–2014–0805; FRL–9920–16] EPA Proposal To Improve Corn Rootworm Resistance Management; Notice of Availability Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: EPA is making available for public comment a proposal to improve the corn rootworm insect resistance management program currently in place for registrations of plant-incorporated protectants (PIP) derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in corn. EPA is also soliciting input from all affected stakeholders including corn growers, industry, academia, and the general public. DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 16, 2015. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number EPA–HQ–OPP–2014–0805, by one of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. • Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental Protection Agency Docket Center (EPA/ DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001. • Hand Delivery: To make special arrangements for hand delivery or delivery of boxed information, please follow the instructions at https:// www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html. Additional instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along with more information about dockets generally, is available at https://www.epa.gov/dockets. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert McNally, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division (7511P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001; main telephone SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 number: (703) 305–7090; email address: BPPDFRNotices@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. General Information A. Does this action apply to me? You may be potentially affected by this action if you are a registrant or manufacturer of PIPs for control of corn rootworm, grow corn rootwormprotected corn PIPs for crop or animal production, serve as a corn agronomist, crop consultant or extension specialist, or conduct insect resistance management-related research. The following list of North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a guide to help readers determine whether this document applies to them. Potentially affected entities may include: • Crop production (NAICS code 111). • Animal production (NAICS code 112). • Food manufacturing (NAICS code 311). • Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS code 32532). 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 email. 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 preparing and submitting your comments, see the commenting tips at https://www.epa.gov/dockets/ comments.html. II. What action is the agency taking? EPA is making available for public comment a proposal to improve the corn rootworm insect resistance management program currently in place for registrations of plant-incorporated protectants (PIP) derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in corn. EPA’s proposal contains measures designed to delay corn rootworms’ development of E:\FR\FM\28JAN1.SGM 28JAN1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 18 / Wednesday, January 28, 2015 / Notices resistance to Bt microbial pesticides genetically engineered into corn. This proposal responds to reports of widespread corn rootworm resistance to two Bt corn traits and reflects advice received by the Agency from the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP). EPA believes that the proposed enhancements would prolong the effectiveness of Bt PIPs for corn rootworm control significantly—which is important because of the long safety record of these PIPs. If used properly, PIPs greatly reduce the need for conventional pesticides and the risks they may present to human health and the environment. EPA is soliciting input from all affected stakeholders including corn growers, industry, academia, and the general public. A copy of the proposal, entitled ‘‘EPA Framework for PIP Registrants: Proposal to Address Key SAP Recommendations for Corn Rootworm (CRW) IRM,’’ is available in the docket. As part of its regulation of insect resistance management for Bt PIPs, EPA requires a resistance monitoring program for the major target pests of corn and cotton. The primary objective of resistance monitoring is to detect shifts in susceptibility before the onset of resistance leads to widespread field failure. Specific resistance monitoring strategies have consisted of two main components: 1. Investigation of unexpected field damage reports from growers, extension agents, consultants, or company agronomists, and 2. Monitoring for changes in susceptibility through targeted population sampling and testing. For both objectives, bioassays are used to determine the susceptibility of each sampled population. If resistance is detected in the assays, a remedial action plan is triggered with the goal of containing the resistant population to maintain trait durability. CRW presents a number of challenges for resistance monitoring. The insect has one generation per year, undergoes obligate diapause, and feeds subterraneanly—factors that limit the ability to conduct susceptibility bioassays. CRW are generally less sensitive to Bt toxins than other target pests of Bt PIPs (e.g., lepidoptera). To illustrate, all of the Bt toxins registered for CRW control (Cry3Bb1, Cry34/35, mCry3A, and eCry3.1Ab) are not considered ‘‘high dose’’ (as defined by EPA’s 1998 FIFRA SAP), meaning that some susceptible CRW individuals will likely survive exposure to Bt. These factors can complicate both field scouting and interpretation of bioassays. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:41 Jan 27, 2015 Jkt 235001 Timing is also a concern; because of obligate diapause, a sampled population may not be tested (and determined to be resistant) until the following season. EPA is concerned about the ability of CRW to develop resistance to Bt corn PIPs. Recent reports have documented CRW resistance to two Bt traits, Cry3Bb1 and mCry3A, in parts of Iowa and Illinois. Seeking guidance in regards to these concerns, the Agency convened a FIFRA SAP meeting in December 2013. The panel was tasked with evaluating EPA’s current resistance monitoring strategy for CRW and providing recommendations for improvement. Meeting materials, including a white paper detailing EPA’s concerns with CRW resistance monitoring, the charge to the SAP, and the SAP’s final report, are available in docket number EPA–HQ–OPP–2013– 0490. Following the SAP meeting, EPA developed the mitigation proposal to enhance CRW resistance management. EPA’s proposed enhancements address the following five aspects of CRW resistance management: • Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as a component of corn rootworm resistance management. • Responses to unexpected damage in Bt corn fields. • Elimination of the requirement for annual random sampling of corn rootworm from the Corn Belt. • Use of on-plant assays for resistance determinations. • Enhancements to current remedial action plans. EPA believes that these proposed enhancements are consistent with the SAP’s guidance and will prolong the effectiveness of Bt corn PIPs for CRW control by reducing selection pressure for resistance, improving resistance detection capability, and better mitigate populations that do develop resistance. The Agency’s goals are to prolong the durability of Bt corn while maintaining the environmental benefits of these important CRW management tools. The Agency is seeking input on the proposal from potentially affected entities and other stakeholders, including (but not limited to) registrants of pesticides and PIPs for corn, corn growers, crop consultants/agronomists, commodity groups, extension entomologists, independent researchers, and the general public. Commenters are also encouraged to provide input on the specific recommendations provided by the SAP, including alternate approaches or counter proposals towards addressing the CRW resistance management issues raised by the panel. Authority: 7 U.S.C. 136 et seq. PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 4565 Dated: December 31, 2014. Robert McNally, Director, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division, Office of Pesticide Programs. [FR Doc. 2015–01170 Filed 1–27–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION [OMB 3060–0139] Information Collection Being Submitted for Review and Approval to the Office of Management and Budget Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501– 3520), the Federal Communication Commission (FCC or Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collections. Comments are requested concerning: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the Commission’s burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid OMB control number. DATES: Written comments should be submitted on or before February 27, 2015. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, you should advise the contacts below as soon as possible. ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to Nicholas A. Fraser, OMB, via email SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\28JAN1.SGM 28JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 18 (Wednesday, January 28, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4564-4565]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-01170]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0805; FRL-9920-16]


EPA Proposal To Improve Corn Rootworm Resistance Management; 
Notice of Availability

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: EPA is making available for public comment a proposal to 
improve the corn rootworm insect resistance management program 
currently in place for registrations of plant-incorporated protectants 
(PIP) derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in corn.
    EPA is also soliciting input from all affected stakeholders 
including corn growers, industry, academia, and the general public.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 16, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by docket identification 
(ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0805, by one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit 
electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business 
Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted 
by statute.
     Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental Protection Agency Docket 
Center (EPA/DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 
20460-0001.
     Hand Delivery: To make special arrangements for hand 
delivery or delivery of boxed information, please follow the 
instructions at https://www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html.
    Additional instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along 
with more information about dockets generally, is available at https://www.epa.gov/dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert McNally, Biopesticides and 
Pollution Prevention Division (7511P), Office of Pesticide Programs, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., 
Washington, DC 20460-0001; main telephone number: (703) 305-7090; email 
address: BPPDFRNotices@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this action apply to me?

    You may be potentially affected by this action if you are a 
registrant or manufacturer of PIPs for control of corn rootworm, grow 
corn rootworm-protected corn PIPs for crop or animal production, serve 
as a corn agronomist, crop consultant or extension specialist, or 
conduct insect resistance management-related research. The following 
list of North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes 
is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a guide to help 
readers determine whether this document applies to them. Potentially 
affected entities may include:
     Crop production (NAICS code 111).
    [emsp14]Animal production (NAICS code 112).
    [emsp14]Food manufacturing (NAICS code 311).
    [emsp14]Pesticide manufacturing (NAICS code 32532).

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 email. 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 preparing and submitting 
your comments, see the commenting tips at https://www.epa.gov/dockets/comments.html.

II. What action is the agency taking?

    EPA is making available for public comment a proposal to improve 
the corn rootworm insect resistance management program currently in 
place for registrations of plant-incorporated protectants (PIP) derived 
from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in corn. EPA's proposal contains 
measures designed to delay corn rootworms' development of

[[Page 4565]]

resistance to Bt microbial pesticides genetically engineered into corn. 
This proposal responds to reports of widespread corn rootworm 
resistance to two Bt corn traits and reflects advice received by the 
Agency from the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act 
(FIFRA) Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP). EPA believes that the proposed 
enhancements would prolong the effectiveness of Bt PIPs for corn 
rootworm control significantly--which is important because of the long 
safety record of these PIPs. If used properly, PIPs greatly reduce the 
need for conventional pesticides and the risks they may present to 
human health and the environment. EPA is soliciting input from all 
affected stakeholders including corn growers, industry, academia, and 
the general public.
    A copy of the proposal, entitled ``EPA Framework for PIP 
Registrants: Proposal to Address Key SAP Recommendations for Corn 
Rootworm (CRW) IRM,'' is available in the docket.
    As part of its regulation of insect resistance management for Bt 
PIPs, EPA requires a resistance monitoring program for the major target 
pests of corn and cotton. The primary objective of resistance 
monitoring is to detect shifts in susceptibility before the onset of 
resistance leads to widespread field failure. Specific resistance 
monitoring strategies have consisted of two main components:
    1. Investigation of unexpected field damage reports from growers, 
extension agents, consultants, or company agronomists, and
    2. Monitoring for changes in susceptibility through targeted 
population sampling and testing.
    For both objectives, bioassays are used to determine the 
susceptibility of each sampled population. If resistance is detected in 
the assays, a remedial action plan is triggered with the goal of 
containing the resistant population to maintain trait durability.
    CRW presents a number of challenges for resistance monitoring. The 
insect has one generation per year, undergoes obligate diapause, and 
feeds subterraneanly--factors that limit the ability to conduct 
susceptibility bioassays. CRW are generally less sensitive to Bt toxins 
than other target pests of Bt PIPs (e.g., lepidoptera). To illustrate, 
all of the Bt toxins registered for CRW control (Cry3Bb1, Cry34/35, 
mCry3A, and eCry3.1Ab) are not considered ``high dose'' (as defined by 
EPA's 1998 FIFRA SAP), meaning that some susceptible CRW individuals 
will likely survive exposure to Bt. These factors can complicate both 
field scouting and interpretation of bioassays. Timing is also a 
concern; because of obligate diapause, a sampled population may not be 
tested (and determined to be resistant) until the following season.
    EPA is concerned about the ability of CRW to develop resistance to 
Bt corn PIPs. Recent reports have documented CRW resistance to two Bt 
traits, Cry3Bb1 and mCry3A, in parts of Iowa and Illinois. Seeking 
guidance in regards to these concerns, the Agency convened a FIFRA SAP 
meeting in December 2013. The panel was tasked with evaluating EPA's 
current resistance monitoring strategy for CRW and providing 
recommendations for improvement. Meeting materials, including a white 
paper detailing EPA's concerns with CRW resistance monitoring, the 
charge to the SAP, and the SAP's final report, are available in docket 
number EPA-HQ-OPP-2013-0490.
    Following the SAP meeting, EPA developed the mitigation proposal to 
enhance CRW resistance management. EPA's proposed enhancements address 
the following five aspects of CRW resistance management:
     Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as a component of corn 
rootworm resistance management.
     Responses to unexpected damage in Bt corn fields.
     Elimination of the requirement for annual random sampling 
of corn rootworm from the Corn Belt.
     Use of on-plant assays for resistance determinations.
     Enhancements to current remedial action plans.
    EPA believes that these proposed enhancements are consistent with 
the SAP's guidance and will prolong the effectiveness of Bt corn PIPs 
for CRW control by reducing selection pressure for resistance, 
improving resistance detection capability, and better mitigate 
populations that do develop resistance. The Agency's goals are to 
prolong the durability of Bt corn while maintaining the environmental 
benefits of these important CRW management tools.
    The Agency is seeking input on the proposal from potentially 
affected entities and other stakeholders, including (but not limited 
to) registrants of pesticides and PIPs for corn, corn growers, crop 
consultants/agronomists, commodity groups, extension entomologists, 
independent researchers, and the general public. Commenters are also 
encouraged to provide input on the specific recommendations provided by 
the SAP, including alternate approaches or counter proposals towards 
addressing the CRW resistance management issues raised by the panel.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.

    Dated: December 31, 2014.
Robert McNally,
Director, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division, Office of 
Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 2015-01170 Filed 1-27-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.