[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 198 (Thursday, October 14, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55712-55714]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26807]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-34145A; FRL-6389-2]
Organophosphate Pesticides; Availability of Revised Risk
Assessments
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notices announces the availability of the revised risk
assessments and related documents for one organophosphate pesticide,
fenthion. In addition, this notice starts a 60-day public participation
period during which the public is encouraged to submit risk management
ideas or proposals. These actions are in response to a joint initiative
between EPA and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to increase
transparency in the tolerance reassessment process for organophosphate
pesticides.
DATES: Comments, identified by docket control number OPP-34145A for
fenthion, must be received by EPA on or before December 13, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by mail, electronically, or in
person. Please follow the detailed instructions for each method as
provided in Unit III. of the ``SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.'' To ensure
proper receipt by EPA, it is imperative that you identify docket
control number OPP-34145A in the subject line on the first page of your
response.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Angulo, Special Review and
Reregistration Division (7508C), Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460;
telephone number: (703) 308-8004; e-mail address: angulo.karen@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Does this Action Apply to Me?
This action is directed to the public in general, nevertheless, a
wide range of stakeholders will be interested in obtaining the revised
risk assessments and submitting risk management comments on fenthion,
including environmental, human health, and agricultural advocates; the
chemical industry; pesticide users; and members of the public
interested in the use of pesticides on food. As such, the Agency has
not attempted to specifically describe all the entities potentially
affected by this action. If you have any questions regarding the
applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult
[[Page 55713]]
the person listed under ``FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.''
II. How Can I Get Additional Information, Including Copies of this
Document or Other Related Documents?
A. Electronically. You may obtain electronic copies of this
document and other related documents from the EPA Internet Home Page at
http://www.epa.gov/. To access this document, on the Home Page select
``Laws and Regulations'' and then look up the entry for this document
under the ``Federal Register--Environmental Documents.'' You can also
go directly to the Federal Register listings at http://www.epa.gov/
fedrgstr/.
To access information about organophosphate pesticides and obtain
electronic copies of the revised risk assessments and related documents
mentioned in this notice, you can also go directly to the Home Page for
the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) at http://www.epa.gov/
pesticides/op/.
B. In Person. The Agency has established an official record for
this action under docket control number OPP-34145A. The official record
consists of the documents specifically referenced in this action, any
public comments received during an applicable comment period, and other
information related to this action, including any information claimed
as Confidential Business Information (CBI). This official record
includes the documents that are physically located in the docket, as
well as the documents that are referenced in those documents. The
public version of the official record does not include any information
claimed as CBI. The public version of the official record, which
includes printed, paper versions of any electronic comments submitted
during an applicable comment period, is available for inspection in Rm.
119, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA, from
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays.
The PIRIB telephone number is (703) 305-5805.
III. How Can I Respond to this Action?
A. How and to Whom Do I Submit Comments?
You may submit comments through the mail, in person, or
electronically. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, it is imperative that
you identify docket control number OPP-34145A in the subject line on
the first page of your response.
1. By mail. Submit comments to: Public Information and Records
Integrity Branch, Information Resources and Services Division (7502C),
Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M
St., SW., Washington, DC 20460.
2. In person or by courier. Deliver comments to: Public Information
and Records Integrity Branch, Information Resources and Services
Division, Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection
Agency, Rm. 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington,
VA. The PIRIB is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday,
excluding legal holidays. The PIRIB telephone number is (703) 305-5805.
3. Electronically. Submit electronic comments by e-mail to: ``docket@epa.gov,'' or you can submit a computer disk as described in
this unit. Do not submit any information electronically that you
consider to be CBI. Electronic comments must be submitted as an ASCII
file, avoiding the use of special characters and any form of
encryption. Comments and data will also be accepted on standard
computer disks in WordPerfect 6.1/8.0 or ASCII file format. All
comments in electronic form must be identified by the docket control
number OPP-34145A. Electronic comments may also be filed online at many
Federal Depository Libraries.
B. How Should I Handle CBI Information that I Want to Submit to the
Agency?
Do not submit any information electronically that you consider to
be CBI. You may claim information that you submit to EPA in response to
this document as CBI by marking any part or all of that information as
CBI. Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance
with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2. In addition to one complete
version of the comment that includes any 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 version of the
official record. Information not marked confidential will be included
in the public version of the official record without prior notice. If
you have any questions about CBI or the procedures for claiming CBI,
please consult the person listed under ``FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT.''
IV. What Action is EPA Taking in this Notice?
EPA is making available for public viewing the revised risk
assessments and related documents for two organophosphates, fenthion.
These documents have been developed as part of the pilot public
participation process that EPA and USDA are now using for involving the
public in the reassessment of pesticide tolerances under the Food
Quality Protection Act (FQPA), and the reregistration of individual
organophosphate pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide,
and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The pilot public participation process was
developed as part of the EPA-USDA Tolerance Reassessment Advisory
Committee (TRAC), which was established in April 1998, as a
subcommittee under the auspices of EPA's National Advisory Council for
Environmental Policy and Technology. A goal of the pilot public
participation process is to find a more effective way for the public to
participate at critical junctures in the Agency's development of
organophosphate risk assessments and risk management decisions. EPA and
USDA began implementing this pilot process in August 1998, to increase
transparency and opportunities for stakeholder consultation. The
documents being released to the public through this notice provide
information on the revisions that were made to the fenthion preliminary
risk assessments, which where released to the public, September 9, 1998
(63 FR 48213) (FRL-6030-2), through a notice in the Federal Register.
As part of the pilot public participation process, EPA and USDA may
hold public meetings (called Technical Briefings) to provide interested
stakeholders with opportunities to become more informed about revised
organophosphate risk assessments. During the Technical Briefings, EPA
describes the major points (e.g., risk contributors), use data that
were used (e.g., data from USDA's Pesticide Data Program (PDP)), and
discusses how public comments impacted the assessment. USDA provides
ideas on possible risk management. Stakeholders have an opportunity to
ask clarifying questions, and all meeting minutes are placed in the OPP
public docket. Technical Briefings may not be held for chemicals that
have limited use patterns or low levels of risk concern. The use
patterns for fenthion are predominately mosquito control, therefore, no
Technical Briefing is planned. In cases where no Technical Briefing is
held, the Agency will make a special effort to communicate with
interested stakeholders in order to better ensure their understanding
of the revised assessments and how they can participate in the
organophosphate pilot public participation process. EPA has a good
familiarity with the stakeholder
[[Page 55714]]
groups associated with the use of fenthion who may be interested in
participating in the risk assessment/risk management process, and will
contact them individually to inform them that no Technical Briefing
will be held. EPA is willing to meet with stakeholders to discuss the
fenthion revised risk assessments. Minutes of all meetings will be
docketed.
In addition, this notice starts a 60-day public participation
period during which the public is encouraged to submit risk management
proposals or otherwise comment on risk management for fenthion. The
Agency is providing an opportunity, through this notice, for interested
parties to provide written risk management proposals or ideas to the
Agency on the pesticides specified in this notice. Such comments and
proposals could address ideas about how to manage dietary,
occupational, or ecological risks on specific fenthion use sites or
crops across the United States or in a particular geographic region of
the country. To address dietary risk, for example, commenters may
choose to discuss the feasibility of lower application rates,
increasing the time interval between application and harvest (``pre-
harvest intervals''), modifications in use, or suggest alternative
measures to reduce residues contributing to dietary exposure. For
occupational risks, for example, commenters may suggest personal
protective equipment or technologies to reduce exposure to workers and
pesticide handlers. For ecological risks, commentors may suggest ways
to reduce environmental exposure, e.g., exposure to birds, fish,
mammals, and other non-target organisms. EPA will provide other
opportunities for public participation and comment on issues associated
with the organophosphate tolerance reassessment program. Failure to
participate or comment as part of this opportunity will in no way
prejudice or limit a commenter's opportunity to participate fully in
later notice and comment processes. All comments and proposals must be
received by EPA on or before December 13, 1999 at the addresses given
under Unit I. of the ``SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.'' Comments and
proposals will become part of the Agency record for the organophosphate
specified in this notice.
List of Subjects
Environmental protection, Chemicals, Pesticides and pests.
Dated: October 7, 1999.
Lois Rossi,
Director, Special Review and Reregistration Division, Office of
Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 99-26807 Filed 10-13-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F
