99-26970. 1, 3 Dichloropropene; Receipt of Application for Emergency Exemption, Solicitation of Public Comment  

  • [Federal Register Volume 64, Number 199 (Friday, October 15, 1999)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 55921-55923]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 99-26970]
    
    
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    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    
    [OPP-181070; FRL-6389-6]
    
    
    1, 3 Dichloropropene; Receipt of Application for Emergency 
    Exemption, Solicitation of Public Comment
    
    AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
    
    ACTION: Notice.
    
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    SUMMARY: EPA has received a specific exemption request from the State 
    of California Department of Pesticide Regulation to use the pesticide 
    1,3 dichloropropene (CAS No. 542-75-6) to treat up to 50,000 acres of 
    wine grapes to control Grape phylloxera and nematodes. The Applicant 
    proposes the use of a chemical which is or has been the subject of a 
    Special Review by the EPA. EPA is soliciting public comment before 
    making the decision whether or not to grant the exemption.
    
    DATES: Comments, identified by docket control number OPP-181070, must 
    be received on or before November 1, 1999.
    ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by mail, electronically, or in 
    person. Please follow the detailed instructions for each method as 
    provided in Unit I. of the ``SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.'' To ensure 
    proper receipt by EPA, it is imperative that you identify docket 
    control number OPP-181070 in the subject line on the first page of your 
    response.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Madden, Registration Division 
    (7505C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 
    401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (703) 305-6463; 
    fax
    
    [[Page 55922]]
    
    number: (703) 308-5433; e-mail address: madden.barbara@epa.gov.
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    I. General Information
    
    A. Does this Action Apply to Me?
    
        You may be potentially affected by this action if you petition EPA 
    for emergency exemption under section 18 of FIFRA. Potentially affected 
    categories and entities may include, but are not limited to:
    
    
     
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Examples of
               Categories                 NAICS codes         potentially
                                                           affected entities
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    State government                  9241                State agencies
                                                           that petition EPA
                                                           for section 18
                                                           pesticide
                                                           exemption
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
        This listing is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides 
    a guide for readers regarding entities likely to be regulated by this 
    action. Other types of entities not listed in the table in this unit 
    could also be regulated. The North American Industrial Classification 
    System (NAICS) codes have been provided to assist you and others in 
    determining whether or not this action applies to certain entities. To 
    determine whether you or your business is affected by this action, you 
    should consult the person listed under ``FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
    CONTACT.''
    
    B. How Can I Get Additional Information, Including Copies of this 
    Document and Other Related Documents?
    
        1. Electronically. You may obtain electronic copies of this 
    document, and certain other related documents that might be available 
    electronically, 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/.
        2. In person. The Agency has established an official record for 
    this action under docket control number OPP-181070. 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 the 
    Public Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), 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.
    
    C. 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-181070 in the subject line on 
    the first page of your response.
         By mail. Submit your comments to: Public Information and Records 
    Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Information Resources and Services Division 
    (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), Environmental Protection 
    Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460.
        2. In person or by courier. Deliver your comments to: Public 
    Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Information Resources 
    and Services Division (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), 
    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. You may submit your comments electronically by 
    e-mail to: opp-docket@epa.gov,'' or you can submit a computer disk as 
    described above. Do not submit any information electronically that you 
    consider to be CBI. Avoid the use of special characters and any form of 
    encryption. Electronic submissions will be accepted in WordPerfect 6.1/
    8.0 or ASCII file format. All comments in electronic form must be 
    identified by docket control number OPP-181070. Electronic comments may 
    also be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries.
    
    D. How Should I Handle CBI 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.''
    
    E. What Should I Consider as I Prepare My Comments for EPA?
    
        You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your 
    comments:
        1. Explain your views as clearly as possible.
        2. Describe any assumptions that you used.
        3. Provide copies of any technical information and/or data you used 
    that support your views.
        4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you 
    arrived at the estimate that you provide.
        5. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns.
        6. Offer alternative ways to improve the proposed rule or 
    collection activity.
        7. Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline in this 
    document.
        8. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, be sure to identify the docket 
    control number assigned to this action in the subject line on the first 
    page of your response. You may also provide the name, date, and Federal 
    Register citation.
    
    II. Background
    
    A. What Action is the Agency Taking?
    
        Under section 18 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and 
    Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (7 U.S.C. 136p), at the discretion of the 
    Administrator, a Federal or State agency may be exempted from any 
    provision of FIFRA if the Administrator determines that emergency 
    conditions exist which require the exemption. The State of California 
    Department of Pesticide Regulation has requested the Administrator to 
    issue a specific exemption for the use of 1,3 dichloropropene on wine 
    grapes to
    
    [[Page 55923]]
    
    control Grape phylloxera and nematodes. Information in accordance with 
    40 CFR part 166 was submitted as part of this request.
        As part of this request, the Applicant asserts that significant 
    damage from Grape phylloxera and nematodes have left growers suffering 
    losses exceeding $1 billion over the past ten years. Growers are faced 
    with an emergency because they do not have an effective tool in late 
    spring and summer to control Grape phylloxera and nematodes. 
    Specifically, the only effective means of control of phylloxera and 
    nematodes is carbofuran, which is only available until May 1 and after 
    harvest (which takes place in late fall). However, late spring and 
    summer are critical times for control of Grape phylloxera and nematodes 
    because their population levels tend to significantly increase during 
    these periods. Results of efficacy research by the University Extension 
    and the manufacturer indicate that 1,3 dichloropropene is a reliable 
    effective control of Grape phylloxera and nematodes.
        The Applicant proposes to make no more than four applications of 
    1,3 dichloropropene, to be applied through drip irrigation systems to 
    50,000 acres of wine grapes Statewide except in the counties of 
    Alameda, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Lake, 
    Madera, Merced, Monterey, Sacramento, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, 
    Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare, and Yolo. 
    A maximum of 8 gallons of product (containing 8.84 lbs ai per gallon) 
    per acre could be applied to 50,000 acres for a total of 3,536,000 
    pounds of active ingredient applied.
        This notice does not constitute a decision by EPA on the 
    application itself. The regulations governing section 18 of FIFRA 
    require publication of a notice of receipt of an application for a 
    specific exemption proposing the use of an active ingredient that is or 
    has been subject of a Special Review. On October 8, 1986 (51 FR 36160) 
    (FRL-3092-4), a Federal Register notice announced the Special Review of 
    1,3 dichloropropene based on cancer concerns for workers. This notice 
    provides an opportunity for public comment on the specific emergency 
    exemption application.
        The Agency, will review and consider all comments received during 
    the comment period in determining whether to issue the emergency 
    exemption requested by the State of California Department of Pesticide 
    Regulation.
    
    List of Subjects
    
        Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests.
    
        Dated: October 1, 1999.
    
    Peter Caulkins,
    
    Acting Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
    
    [FR Doc. 99-26970 Filed 10-14-99; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6560-50-F
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
10/15/1999
Department:
Environmental Protection Agency
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice.
Document Number:
99-26970
Dates:
Comments, identified by docket control number OPP-181070, must be received on or before November 1, 1999.
Pages:
55921-55923 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
OPP-181070, FRL-6389-6
PDF File:
99-26970.pdf