Flumioxazin; Pesticide Tolerances, 54510-54512 [2016-19553]
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 158 / Tuesday, August 16, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
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[FR Doc. 2016–19388 Filed 8–15–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA–HQ–OPP–2015–0652; FRL–9949–21]
Flumioxazin; Pesticide Tolerances
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
B. How can I get electronic access to
other related information?
This regulation establishes
tolerances for residues of flumioxazin in
or on soybean forage and hay. Valent
U.S.A. Corporation requested these
tolerances under the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
DATES: This regulation is effective
August 16, 2016. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received
on or before October 17, 2016, and must
be filed in accordance with the
instructions provided in 40 CFR part
178 (see also Unit I.C. of the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).
ADDRESSES: The docket for this action,
identified by docket identification (ID)
number EPA–HQ–OPP–2015–0652, is
available at https://www.regulations.gov
or at the Office of Pesticide Programs
Regulatory Public Docket (OPP Docket)
in the Environmental Protection Agency
Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William
Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 1301
Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC
20460–0001. The Public Reading Room
is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, excluding legal
holidays. The telephone number for the
Public Reading Room is (202) 566–1744,
and the telephone number for the OPP
Docket is (703) 305–5805. Please review
the visitor instructions and additional
information about the docket available
at https://www.epa.gov/dockets.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Registration Division (7505P), Office of
Pesticide Programs, Environmental
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460–0001;
main telephone number: (703) 305–
7090; email address:
RDFRNotices@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
I. General Information
A. Does this action apply to me?
You may be potentially affected by
this action if you are an agricultural
producer, food manufacturer, or
pesticide manufacturer. The following
list of North American Industrial
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18:12 Aug 15, 2016
Jkt 238001
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).
You may access a frequently updated
electronic version of EPA’s tolerance
regulations at 40 CFR part 180 through
the Government Printing Office’s e-CFR
site at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/textidx?&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/
40tab_02.tpl. To access the OCSPP test
guidelines referenced in this document
electronically, please go to https://
www.epa.gov/ocspp and select ‘‘Test
Methods and Guidelines.’’
C. How can I file an objection or hearing
request?
Under FFDCA section 408(g), 21
U.S.C. 346a, any person may file an
objection to any aspect of this regulation
and may also request a hearing on those
objections. You must file your objection
or request a hearing on this regulation
in accordance with the instructions
provided in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure
proper receipt by EPA, you must
identify docket ID number EPA–HQ–
OPP–2015–0652 in the subject line on
the first page of your submission. All
objections and requests for a hearing
must be in writing, and must be
received by the Hearing Clerk on or
before October 17, 2016. Addresses for
mail and hand delivery of objections
and hearing requests are provided in 40
CFR 178.25(b).
In addition to filing an objection or
hearing request with the Hearing Clerk
as described in 40 CFR part 178, please
submit a copy of the filing (excluding
any Confidential Business Information
(CBI)) for inclusion in the public docket.
Information not marked confidential
pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be
disclosed publicly by EPA without prior
notice. Submit the non-CBI copy of your
objection or hearing request, identified
by docket ID number EPA–HQ–OPP–
2015–0652, 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 CBI or
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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.
II. Summary of Petitioned-For
Tolerance
In the Federal Register of April 25,
2016 (81 FR 24046) (FRL–9944–86),
EPA issued a document pursuant to
FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21 U.S.C.
346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a
pesticide petition (PP 5F8353) by Valent
USA Corporation, 1600 Riviera Avenue,
Suite 200, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
U.S.A. The petition requested that 40
CFR 180.180.568 be amended by
establishing tolerances for residues of
the herbicide flumioxazin, in or on
soybean forage at 0.05 parts per million
(ppm) and hay at 0.02 ppm. That
document referenced a summary of the
petition prepared by Valent USA
Corporation, the registrant, which is
available in the docket, https://
www.regulations.gov. There were no
comments received in response to the
notice of filing.
Based upon review of the data
supporting the petition, EPA has
determined that the tolerance for
soybean forage should be lowered from
the proposed level of 0.05 ppm to 0.03
ppm. The reason for these changes are
explained in Unit IV.D.
III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and
Determination of Safety
Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA
allows EPA to establish a tolerance (the
legal limit for a pesticide chemical
residue in or on a food) only if EPA
determines that the tolerance is ‘‘safe.’’
Section 408(b)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA
defines ‘‘safe’’ to mean that ‘‘there is a
reasonable certainty that no harm will
result from aggregate exposure to the
pesticide chemical residue, including
all anticipated dietary exposures and all
other exposures for which there is
reliable information.’’ This includes
exposure through drinking water and in
residential settings, but does not include
occupational exposure. Section
408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA requires EPA to
give special consideration to exposure
of infants and children to the pesticide
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 158 / Tuesday, August 16, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
chemical residue in establishing a
tolerance and to ‘‘ensure that there is a
reasonable certainty that no harm will
result to infants and children from
aggregate exposure to the pesticide
chemical residue. . . .’’
Consistent with FFDCA section
408(b)(2)(D), and the factors specified in
FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), EPA has
reviewed the available scientific data
and other relevant information in
support of this action. EPA has
sufficient data to assess the hazards of
and to make a determination on
aggregate exposure for flumioxazin
including exposure resulting from the
tolerances established by this action.
EPA’s assessment of exposures and risks
associated with flumioxazin follows.
EPA has evaluated the available
toxicity data and considered its validity,
completeness, and reliability as well as
the relationship of the results of the
studies to human risk. EPA has also
considered available information
concerning the variability of the
sensitivities of major identifiable
subgroups of consumers, including
infants and children.
In the Federal Register of April 05,
2013 (78 FR 20462) (FRL–9381–7), EPA
published a final rule establishing
tolerances for residues of flumioxazin
on globe artichoke, chinese cabbage,
olive, pomegranate, and prickly pear
cactus commodities based on EPA’s
conclusion that aggregate exposure to
flumioxazin is safe for the general
population, including infants and
children. Since that rulemaking, the
toxicity profile for flumioxazin has not
changed. The requested tolerances will
not result in residues on human food
commodities, only animal feed (soybean
forage and hay). The available residue
data submitted for use in soybean forage
and hay indicates that the dietary
burden for livestock will not change
from the current levels that were
previously assessed. Therefore, the
residues of flumioxazin soybean forage
and hay from the proposed new use will
not impact the existing human dietary
and aggregate risk assessments for
flumioxazin. For a detailed discussion
of the aggregate risk assessments and
determination of safety, as well as a
summary of the toxicological endpoints
used for human risk assessment, please
refer to the final rule published in the
Federal Register of April 05, 2013. EPA
relies upon those supporting risk
assessments and the findings made in
the Federal Register document in
support of this final rule.
Based on the risk assessments and
information described above, EPA
concludes that there is a reasonable
certainty that no harm will result to the
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general population or to infants and
children from aggregate exposure to
flumioxazin residues.
IV. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
Adequate enforcement methodology
(gas chromatography/nitrogenphosphorus detection (GC/NPD)
method, Valent Method RM30–A–1) is
available to enforce the tolerance
expression. The method may be
requested from: Chief, Analytical
Chemistry Branch, Environmental
Science Center, 701 Mapes Rd., Ft.
Meade, MD 20755–5350; telephone
number: (410) 305–2905; email address:
residuemethods@epa.gov.
B. International Residue Limits
In making its tolerance decisions, EPA
seeks to harmonize U.S. tolerances with
international standards whenever
possible, consistent with U.S. food
safety standards and agricultural
practices. EPA considers the
international maximum residue limits
(MRLs) established by the Codex
Alimentarius Commission (Codex), as
required by FFDCA section 408(b)(4).
The Codex Alimentarius is a joint
United Nations Food and Agriculture
Organization/World Health
Organization food standards program,
and it is recognized as an international
food safety standards-setting
organization in trade agreements to
which the United States is a party. EPA
may establish a tolerance that is
different from a Codex MRL; however,
FFDCA section 408(b)(4) requires that
EPA explain the reasons for departing
from the Codex level.
The Codex has not established a MRL
for flumioxazin.
C. Revisions to Petitioned-For
Tolerances
The agency has determined that the
tolerance for soybean forage should be
lowered from the proposed level of 0.05
ppm to 0.03 ppm. The modifications
were due to the Agency’s use of the
Organization for Economic Co-operation
and Development (OECD) calculation
procedures to determine the appropriate
tolerance levels.
V. Conclusion
Therefore, tolerances are established
for residues of flumioxazin, in or on
soybean forage at 0.03 parts per million
(ppm) and hay at 0.02 (ppm).
VI. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
This action establishes tolerances
under FFDCA section 408(d) in
response to a petition submitted to the
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54511
Agency. The Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) has exempted these types
of actions from review under Executive
Order 12866, entitled ‘‘Regulatory
Planning and Review’’ (58 FR 51735,
October 4, 1993). Because this action
has been exempted from review under
Executive Order 12866, this action is
not subject to Executive Order 13211,
entitled ‘‘Actions Concerning
Regulations That Significantly Affect
Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use’’ (66
FR 28355, May 22, 2001) or Executive
Order 13045, entitled ‘‘Protection of
Children from Environmental Health
Risks and Safety Risks’’ (62 FR 19885,
April 23, 1997). This action does not
contain any information collections
subject to OMB approval under the
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), nor does it require
any special considerations under
Executive Order 12898, entitled
‘‘Federal Actions to Address
Environmental Justice in Minority
Populations and Low-Income
Populations’’ (59 FR 7629, February 16,
1994).
Since tolerances and exemptions that
are established on the basis of a petition
under FFDCA section 408(d), such as
the tolerance in this final rule, do not
require the issuance of a proposed rule,
the requirements of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et
seq.), do not apply.
This action directly regulates growers,
food processors, food handlers, and food
retailers, not States or tribes, nor does
this action alter the relationships or
distribution of power and
responsibilities established by Congress
in the preemption provisions of FFDCA
section 408(n)(4). As such, the Agency
has determined that this action will not
have a substantial direct effect on States
or tribal governments, on the
relationship between the national
government and the States or tribal
governments, or on the distribution of
power and responsibilities among the
various levels of government or between
the Federal Government and Indian
tribes. Thus, the Agency has determined
that Executive Order 13132, entitled
‘‘Federalism’’ (64 FR 43255, August 10,
1999) and Executive Order 13175,
entitled ‘‘Consultation and Coordination
with Indian Tribal Governments’’ (65 FR
67249, November 9, 2000) do not apply
to this action. In addition, this action
does not impose any enforceable duty or
contain any unfunded mandate as
described under Title II of the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) (2 U.S.C.
1501 et seq.).
This action does not involve any
technical standards that would require
Agency consideration of voluntary
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 158 / Tuesday, August 16, 2016 / Rules and Regulations
consensus standards pursuant to section
12(d) of the National Technology
Transfer and Advancement Act
(NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note).
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
VII. Congressional Review Act
49 CFR Parts 192 and 195
Pursuant to the Congressional Review
Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), EPA will
submit a report containing this rule and
other required information to the U.S.
Senate, the U.S. House of
Representatives, and the Comptroller
General of the United States prior to
publication of the rule in the Federal
Register. This action is not a ‘‘major
rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
[Docket No. PHMSA–2016–0075]
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
Environmental protection,
Administrative practice and procedure,
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides
and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
Dated: August 5, 2016.
Daniel J. Rosenblatt,
Acting Director, Registration Division, Office
of Pesticide Programs.
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is
amended as follows:
PART 180—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 180
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
2. In § 180.568, add alphabetically the
commodities ‘‘Soybean forage’’ and
‘‘Soybean hay’’ to the table in paragraph
(a) to read as follows:
■
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration
Pipeline Safety: Clarification of Terms
Relating to Pipeline Operational Status
Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration
(PHMSA); DOT.
ACTION: Issuance of Advisory Bulletin.
AGENCY:
PHMSA is issuing this
advisory bulletin to all owners and
operators (operators) of hazardous
liquid, carbon dioxide, and gas
pipelines, as defined in 49 Code of
Federal Regulations Parts 192 and 195,
to clarify the regulatory requirements
that may vary depending on the
operational status of a pipeline. Further,
this advisory bulletin identifies
regulatory requirements operators must
follow for the abandonment of
pipelines. Pipeline owners and
operators should verify their operations
and procedures align with the
regulatory intent of defined terms as
described under this bulletin. Congress
recognized the need for this clarification
in its Protecting our Infrastructure of
Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of
2016.
DATES: August 16, 2016.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Linda Daugherty at 816–329–3800 or by
email to Linda.Daugherty@dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
I. Background
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
§ 180.568 Flumioxazin; tolerance for
residues.
On March 17, 2014, a hazardous
liquid pipeline company was notified
(a) * * *
by emergency responders of crude oil
leaking up from below the pavement in
Parts per
a residential area in Wilmington,
Commodity
million
California. The leak was close to a
refinery. The company initially
informed the regulator that it had no
*
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*
active lines in the area but responded
Soybean forage ....................
0.03 anyway.
On March 18, 2014, the company
Soybean hay .........................
0.02
excavated the area surrounding the
leaking oil and learned that the leak
*
*
*
*
*
originated from a pipeline that it owned.
The pipeline had been purchased 16
years ago and the company understood
*
*
*
*
*
that the previous operator had properly
[FR Doc. 2016–19553 Filed 8–15–16; 8:45 am]
abandoned and purged the pipeline
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
prior to purchase. Regulators
determined the pipeline leaked due to
an internal ‘‘pinhole’’ corrosion leak on
a weld.
Subsequent investigations determined
that while the pipeline was not in
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18:12 Aug 15, 2016
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operation, its valves were positioned to
prevent flow but the pipeline had never
been purged and cleaned. Some
regulators and industry representatives
informally referred to such pipelines as
‘‘idled.’’
On May 31, 2015, a 24-inch natural
gas ‘‘auxiliary’’ pipeline crossing the
Arkansas River in North Little Rock,
Arkansas, failed due to vortex-induced
vibration after high water levels eroded
the ground cover and exposed the
pipeline to the river’s flow. The failure
released 3,858 cubic feet of natural gas
into the atmosphere and resulted in the
temporary closure of the Arkansas River
to vessel traffic for five days. The
pipeline at the time of the failure was
isolated by two mainline valves, at an
approximate pressure of 700 pounds per
square inch (psig). The pipeline,
considered an emergency back-up
pipeline crossing the river, has not been
fully operated since 1972. However, the
company did maintain the pipeline as
an active pipeline, subject to in-line
inspection, cathodic protection, and
other maintenance requirements.
On October 28, 2015, Cypress,
California, city public works employees
identified an oil-water mixture on a
local road. Approximately 28 barrels of
oil-water mixture was determined to
have leaked from an oil pipeline that
was believed to have been purged of oil
prior to deactivation in 1997. The owner
of the pipeline had purchased it from
another company just prior to the
failure.
Congress recognized the need for
PHMSA to provide clarification of
operational terms and ensure all
operators are aware of and abide by the
regulatory requirements for properly
abandoning pipelines. In its ‘‘Protecting
our Infrastructure of Pipelines and
Enhancing Safety Act of 2016,’’
Congress required PHMSA to issue an
advisory bulletin to owners and
operators of gas or hazardous liquid
pipeline facilities and Federal and State
pipeline safety personnel regarding
procedures required to change the status
of a pipeline facility from active to
abandoned, including specific guidance
on the terms recognized by the Secretary
for each pipeline status referred to in
such advisory bulletin.
PHMSA regulations do not recognize
an ‘‘idle’’ status for hazardous liquid or
gas pipelines. The regulations consider
pipelines to be either active and fully
subject to all relevant parts of the safety
regulations or abandoned. The process
and requirements for pipeline
abandonment are captured in §§ 192.727
and 195.402(c)(10) for gas and
hazardous liquid pipelines,
respectively. These requirements
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 158 (Tuesday, August 16, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54510-54512]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-19553]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2015-0652; FRL-9949-21]
Flumioxazin; Pesticide Tolerances
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of
flumioxazin in or on soybean forage and hay. Valent U.S.A. Corporation
requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act (FFDCA).
DATES: This regulation is effective August 16, 2016. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received on or before October 17, 2016,
and must be filed in accordance with the instructions provided in 40
CFR part 178 (see also Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).
ADDRESSES: The docket for this action, identified by docket
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2015-0652, is available at https://www.regulations.gov or at the Office of Pesticide Programs Regulatory
Public Docket (OPP Docket) in the Environmental Protection Agency
Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334,
1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001. The Public
Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public
Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the OPP
Docket is (703) 305-5805. Please review the visitor instructions and
additional information about the docket available at https://www.epa.gov/dockets.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Registration Division (7505P), Office
of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; main telephone
number: (703) 305-7090; email address: RDFRNotices@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 an
agricultural producer, food manufacturer, or pesticide manufacturer.
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. How can I get electronic access to other related information?
You may access a frequently updated electronic version of EPA's
tolerance regulations at 40 CFR part 180 through the Government
Printing Office's e-CFR site at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/40tab_02.tpl. To access the OCSPP
test guidelines referenced in this document electronically, please go
to https://www.epa.gov/ocspp and select ``Test Methods and Guidelines.''
C. How can I file an objection or hearing request?
Under FFDCA section 408(g), 21 U.S.C. 346a, any person may file an
objection to any aspect of this regulation and may also request a
hearing on those objections. You must file your objection or request a
hearing on this regulation in accordance with the instructions provided
in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, you must identify
docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2015-0652 in the subject line on the first
page of your submission. All objections and requests for a hearing must
be in writing, and must be received by the Hearing Clerk on or before
October 17, 2016. Addresses for mail and hand delivery of objections
and hearing requests are provided in 40 CFR 178.25(b).
In addition to filing an objection or hearing request with the
Hearing Clerk as described in 40 CFR part 178, please submit a copy of
the filing (excluding any Confidential Business Information (CBI)) for
inclusion in the public docket. Information not marked confidential
pursuant to 40 CFR part 2 may be disclosed publicly by EPA without
prior notice. Submit the non-CBI copy of your objection or hearing
request, identified by docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2015-0652, 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 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.
II. Summary of Petitioned-For Tolerance
In the Federal Register of April 25, 2016 (81 FR 24046) (FRL-9944-
86), EPA issued a document pursuant to FFDCA section 408(d)(3), 21
U.S.C. 346a(d)(3), announcing the filing of a pesticide petition (PP
5F8353) by Valent USA Corporation, 1600 Riviera Avenue, Suite 200,
Walnut Creek, CA 94596 U.S.A. The petition requested that 40 CFR
180.180.568 be amended by establishing tolerances for residues of the
herbicide flumioxazin, in or on soybean forage at 0.05 parts per
million (ppm) and hay at 0.02 ppm. That document referenced a summary
of the petition prepared by Valent USA Corporation, the registrant,
which is available in the docket, https://www.regulations.gov. There
were no comments received in response to the notice of filing.
Based upon review of the data supporting the petition, EPA has
determined that the tolerance for soybean forage should be lowered from
the proposed level of 0.05 ppm to 0.03 ppm. The reason for these
changes are explained in Unit IV.D.
III. Aggregate Risk Assessment and Determination of Safety
Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of FFDCA allows EPA to establish a
tolerance (the legal limit for a pesticide chemical residue in or on a
food) only if EPA determines that the tolerance is ``safe.'' Section
408(b)(2)(A)(ii) of FFDCA defines ``safe'' to mean that ``there is a
reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate exposure
to the pesticide chemical residue, including all anticipated dietary
exposures and all other exposures for which there is reliable
information.'' This includes exposure through drinking water and in
residential settings, but does not include occupational exposure.
Section 408(b)(2)(C) of FFDCA requires EPA to give special
consideration to exposure of infants and children to the pesticide
[[Page 54511]]
chemical residue in establishing a tolerance and to ``ensure that there
is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result to infants and
children from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residue. . .
.''
Consistent with FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), and the factors
specified in FFDCA section 408(b)(2)(D), EPA has reviewed the available
scientific data and other relevant information in support of this
action. EPA has sufficient data to assess the hazards of and to make a
determination on aggregate exposure for flumioxazin including exposure
resulting from the tolerances established by this action. EPA's
assessment of exposures and risks associated with flumioxazin follows.
EPA has evaluated the available toxicity data and considered its
validity, completeness, and reliability as well as the relationship of
the results of the studies to human risk. EPA has also considered
available information concerning the variability of the sensitivities
of major identifiable subgroups of consumers, including infants and
children.
In the Federal Register of April 05, 2013 (78 FR 20462) (FRL-9381-
7), EPA published a final rule establishing tolerances for residues of
flumioxazin on globe artichoke, chinese cabbage, olive, pomegranate,
and prickly pear cactus commodities based on EPA's conclusion that
aggregate exposure to flumioxazin is safe for the general population,
including infants and children. Since that rulemaking, the toxicity
profile for flumioxazin has not changed. The requested tolerances will
not result in residues on human food commodities, only animal feed
(soybean forage and hay). The available residue data submitted for use
in soybean forage and hay indicates that the dietary burden for
livestock will not change from the current levels that were previously
assessed. Therefore, the residues of flumioxazin soybean forage and hay
from the proposed new use will not impact the existing human dietary
and aggregate risk assessments for flumioxazin. For a detailed
discussion of the aggregate risk assessments and determination of
safety, as well as a summary of the toxicological endpoints used for
human risk assessment, please refer to the final rule published in the
Federal Register of April 05, 2013. EPA relies upon those supporting
risk assessments and the findings made in the Federal Register document
in support of this final rule.
Based on the risk assessments and information described above, EPA
concludes that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result
to the general population or to infants and children from aggregate
exposure to flumioxazin residues.
IV. Other Considerations
A. Analytical Enforcement Methodology
Adequate enforcement methodology (gas chromatography/nitrogen-
phosphorus detection (GC/NPD) method, Valent Method RM30-A-1) is
available to enforce the tolerance expression. The method may be
requested from: Chief, Analytical Chemistry Branch, Environmental
Science Center, 701 Mapes Rd., Ft. Meade, MD 20755-5350; telephone
number: (410) 305-2905; email address: residuemethods@epa.gov.
B. International Residue Limits
In making its tolerance decisions, EPA seeks to harmonize U.S.
tolerances with international standards whenever possible, consistent
with U.S. food safety standards and agricultural practices. EPA
considers the international maximum residue limits (MRLs) established
by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), as required by FFDCA
section 408(b)(4). The Codex Alimentarius is a joint United Nations
Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization food
standards program, and it is recognized as an international food safety
standards-setting organization in trade agreements to which the United
States is a party. EPA may establish a tolerance that is different from
a Codex MRL; however, FFDCA section 408(b)(4) requires that EPA explain
the reasons for departing from the Codex level.
The Codex has not established a MRL for flumioxazin.
C. Revisions to Petitioned-For Tolerances
The agency has determined that the tolerance for soybean forage
should be lowered from the proposed level of 0.05 ppm to 0.03 ppm. The
modifications were due to the Agency's use of the Organization for
Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) calculation procedures to
determine the appropriate tolerance levels.
V. Conclusion
Therefore, tolerances are established for residues of flumioxazin,
in or on soybean forage at 0.03 parts per million (ppm) and hay at 0.02
(ppm).
VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
This action establishes tolerances under FFDCA section 408(d) in
response to a petition submitted to the Agency. The Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) has exempted these types of actions from
review under Executive Order 12866, entitled ``Regulatory Planning and
Review'' (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993). Because this action has been
exempted from review under Executive Order 12866, this action is not
subject to Executive Order 13211, entitled ``Actions Concerning
Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or
Use'' (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001) or Executive Order 13045, entitled
``Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety
Risks'' (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997). This action does not contain any
information collections subject to OMB approval under the Paperwork
Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), nor does it require any
special considerations under Executive Order 12898, entitled ``Federal
Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and
Low-Income Populations'' (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
Since tolerances and exemptions that are established on the basis
of a petition under FFDCA section 408(d), such as the tolerance in this
final rule, do not require the issuance of a proposed rule, the
requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et
seq.), do not apply.
This action directly regulates growers, food processors, food
handlers, and food retailers, not States or tribes, nor does this
action alter the relationships or distribution of power and
responsibilities established by Congress in the preemption provisions
of FFDCA section 408(n)(4). As such, the Agency has determined that
this action will not have a substantial direct effect on States or
tribal governments, on the relationship between the national government
and the States or tribal governments, or on the distribution of power
and responsibilities among the various levels of government or between
the Federal Government and Indian tribes. Thus, the Agency has
determined that Executive Order 13132, entitled ``Federalism'' (64 FR
43255, August 10, 1999) and Executive Order 13175, entitled
``Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments'' (65 FR
67249, November 9, 2000) do not apply to this action. In addition, this
action does not impose any enforceable duty or contain any unfunded
mandate as described under Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
(UMRA) (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.).
This action does not involve any technical standards that would
require Agency consideration of voluntary
[[Page 54512]]
consensus standards pursuant to section 12(d) of the National
Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note).
VII. Congressional Review Act
Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.),
EPA will submit a report containing this rule and other required
information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and
the Comptroller General of the United States prior to publication of
the rule in the Federal Register. This action is not a ``major rule''
as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure,
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides and pests, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: August 5, 2016.
Daniel J. Rosenblatt,
Acting Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:
PART 180--[AMENDED]
0
1. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
0
2. In Sec. 180.568, add alphabetically the commodities ``Soybean
forage'' and ``Soybean hay'' to the table in paragraph (a) to read as
follows:
Sec. 180.568 Flumioxazin; tolerance for residues.
(a) * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parts per
Commodity million
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
Soybean forage.......................................... 0.03
Soybean hay............................................. 0.02
* * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2016-19553 Filed 8-15-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P