05-21535. Pennsylvania and Virginia State Plans for Certification of Applicators of Restricted Use Pesticides; Notice of Availability

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notice of intent.

SUMMARY:

The States of Pennsylvania and Virginia have submitted to EPA amendments to their respective State Plans for Certification and Training of Applicators of Restricted Use Pesticides. The proposed amendments add new commercial categories for vertebrate pest control. Notice is hereby given of the intention of the Regional Administrator, Region III, to approve the revised Pennsylvania and Virginia Plans for the Certification of Applicators of Restricted Use Pesticides. EPA is soliciting comments on the proposed amendments.

DATES:

Comments must be received on or before November 28, 2005.

ADDRESSES:

Comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number OPP-2005-0247, may be submitted electronically, by mail, or through hand delivery/courier. Follow the detailed instructions as provided in Unit I. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Fabiola Estrada, USEPA Region III, Pesticide/Asbestos Programs and Enforcement Branch (3WC32), 1650 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029; telephone number: [phone]; e-mail address: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

This action is directed to the public in general. This action may, however, be of interest to those involved in agriculture and anyone involved with the distribution and application of pesticides for agricultural purposes. Others involved with pesticides in a non-agricultural setting may also be affected. In addition, it may be of interest to others, such as, those persons who 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.

B. How Can I Get Copies of this Document and Other Related Information?

1. Docket. EPA has established an official public docket for this action under docket ID number OPP-2005-0247. The official public docket consists of the documents specifically referenced in this action, any public comments received, and other information related to this action. Although a part of the official docket, the public docket does not include Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. The official public docket is the collection of materials that is available for public viewing at the Public Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Rm. 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1801 S. Bell St., Arlington, VA. This docket facility is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The docket telephone number is [phone].

2. Electronic access. You may access this Federal Register document electronically through the EPA Internet under the “Federal Register” listings at http://www.epa.gov/​fedrgstr/​.

An electronic version of the public docket is available through EPA's electronic public docket and comment system, EPA Dockets. You may use EPA Dockets at http://www.epa.gov/​edocket/​ to submit or view public comments, access the index listing of the contents of the official public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that are available electronically. Although not all docket materials may be available electronically, you may still access any of the publicly available docket materials through the docket facility identified in Unit I.B.1. Once in the system, select “search” then key in the appropriate docket ID number.

Certain types of information will not be placed in the EPA Dockets. Information claimed as CBI and other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute, which is not included in the official public docket, will not be available for public viewing in EPA's electronic public docket. EPA's policy is that copyrighted material will not be placed in EPA's electronic public docket but will be available only in printed, paper form in the official public docket. To the extent feasible, publicly available docket materials will be made available in EPA's electronic public docket. When a document is selected from the index list in EPA Dockets, the system will identify whether the document is available for viewing in EPA's electronic public docket. Although not all docket materials may be available electronically, you may still access any of the publicly available docket materials through the docket facility identified in Unit I.B.1. EPA intends to work towards providing electronic access to all of the publicly available docket materials through EPA's electronic public docket.

For public commenters, it is important to note that EPA's policy is that public comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, will be made available for public viewing in EPA's electronic public docket as EPA receives them and without change, unless the comment contains copyrighted material, CBI, or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. When EPA identifies a comment containing copyrighted material, EPA will provide a reference to that material in the version of the comment that is placed in EPA's electronic public docket. The entire printed comment, including the copyrighted material, will be available in the public docket.

Public comments submitted on computer disks that are mailed or delivered to the docket will be transferred to EPA's electronic public docket. Public comments that are mailed or delivered to the docket will be scanned and placed in EPA's electronic public docket. Where practical, physical objects will be photographed, and the photograph will be placed in EPA's electronic public docket along with a brief description written by the docket staff.

In addition to the sources listed in this unit, you may obtain copies of the amended Pennsylvania and Virginia Certification Plans, other related documents, or additional information by contacting:

1. Fabiola Estrada at the address listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

2. David Scott, Bureau of Plant Industry, Pennsylvania Dept. of Agriculture, 2301 North Cameron St., Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408; telephone number: 717-772-5214; e-mail: [e-mail].

3. Kathy Dictor, Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Office of Pesticide Services, 2221 Carbon Hill Drive, Midlothian, VA 23113; telephone number: 804-786-0685; e-mail: [e-mail].

4. Michelle Devaux, Field and External Affairs Division (7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 20460-0001; telephone number: [phone]; e-mail address: [e-mail].

C. How and to Whom Do I Submit Comments?

You may submit comments electronically, by mail, or through hand delivery/courier. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, identify the appropriate docket ID number in the subject line on the first page of your comment. Please ensure that your comments are submitted within the specified comment period. Comments received after the close of the comment period will be marked “late.” EPA is not required to consider these late comments. If you wish to submit CBI or information that is otherwise protected by statute, please follow the instructions in Unit I.D. Do not use EPA Dockets or e-mail to submit CBI or information protected by statute.

1. Electronically. If you submit an electronic comment as prescribed in this unit, EPA recommends that you include your name, mailing address, and an e-mail address or other contact information in the body of your comment. Also include this contact information on the outside of any disk or CD ROM you submit, and in any cover letter accompanying the disk or CD ROM. This ensures that you can be identified as the submitter of the comment and allows EPA to contact you in case EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties or needs further information on the substance of your comment. EPA's policy is that EPA will not edit your comment, and any identifying or contact information provided in the body of a comment will be included as part of the comment that is placed in the official public docket, and made available in EPA's electronic public docket. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment.

i. EPA Dockets. Your use of EPA's electronic public docket to submit comments to EPA electronically is EPA's preferred method for receiving comments. Go directly to EPA Dockets at http://www.epa.gov/​edocket/​, and follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once in the system, select “search,” and then key in docket ID number OPP-2005-0247. The system is an “anonymous access” system, which means EPA will not know your identity, e-mail address, or other contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment.

ii. E-mail. Comments may be sent by e-mail to [e-mail], Attention: Docket ID Number OPP-2005-0247. In contrast to EPA's electronic public docket, EPA's e-mail system is not an “anonymous access” system. If you send an e-mail comment directly to the docket without going through EPA's electronic public docket, EPA's e-mail system automatically captures your e-mail address. E-mail addresses that are automatically captured by EPA's e-mail system are included as part of the comment that is placed in the official public docket, and made available in EPA's electronic public docket.

iii. Disk or CD ROM. You may submit comments on a disk or CD ROM that you mail to the mailing address identified in Unit I.C.2. These electronic submissions will be accepted in WordPerfect or ASCII file format. Avoid the use of special characters and any form of encryption.

2. By mail. Send your comments to: Public Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB) (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001, Attention: Docket ID Number OPP-2005-0247.

3. By hand delivery or courier. Deliver your comments to: Public Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1801 S. Bell St., Arlington, VA, Attention: Docket ID Number OPP-2005-0247. Such deliveries are only accepted during the docket's normal hours of operation as identified in Unit I.B.1.

D. How Should I Submit CBI to the Agency?

Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI electronically through EPA's electronic public docket or by e-mail. You may claim information that you submit to EPA as CBI by marking any part or all of that information as CBI (if you submit CBI on disk or CD ROM, 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 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 docket and EPA's electronic public docket. If you submit the copy that does not contain CBI on disk or CD ROM, mark the outside of the disk or CD ROM clearly that it does not contain CBI. Information not marked as CBI will be included in the public docket and EPA's electronic public docket without prior notice. If you have any questions about CBI or the procedures for claiming CBI, please consult the person identified 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. Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline in this notice.

7. 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

FIFRA section 3 requires that pesticide applicators become certified to purchase, use, or supervise the use of restricted use pesticides. FIFRA section 11 allows EPA to designate the pesticide applicator certification program to states with EPA-approved plans. Federal regulations at 40 CFR 171.7 describe what constitutes an EPA-approved plan, and 40 CFR 171.8 requires that any substantial modification to a plan must receive prior approval from the Administrator. EPA is seeking public comment on amendments that are substantial modifications to the Pennsylvania and Virginia plans.

These amendments will establish new commercial applicator categories. In the Pennsylvania plan, a “Public Health--Vertebrate Pest Control” category will be added to certify employees of U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services (WS) for the use of 1080 Livestock Protection Collar (LPC). In the Virginia plan, a “Vertebrate Pest Control” category will be added to certify employees of WS for the use of LPC and the M-44 Device (M-44). WS is authorized by Congress to manage wildlife damage. Pennsylvania and Virginia certification of WS employees as pesticide applicators will allow them to purchase, use, and supervise the use of 1080 LPC and M-44 to carry out their responsibilities.

In October 1983, EPA Assistant Administrator for Solid Waste and Emergency Response, Lee M. Thomas, decided to permit the registration of 1080 LPC based on an Administrative Law Judge ruling. The decision requires applicators of 1080 LPC to receive specific training and to comply with recordkeeping and reporting requirements beyond that of applicators of restricted use pesticides. Therefore, a distinct certification process is required in any state wanting to certify applicators of 1080 LPC. The M-44 is used by certified applicators to control predators of livestock and poultry. Similar to LPC 1080, M-44 has specific use restrictions that go beyond those required for most other categories of applicators of restricted use pesticides. The amendments to the Pennsylvania and Virginia plans satisfy the specific training, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements for both LPC 1080 and M-44.

EPA has reviewed the new categories and announces its intentions to approve the amendments to the Pennsylvania and Virginia State Plans.

III. What Action is the Agency Taking?

EPA has reviewed the revised Pennsylvania and Virginia Certification Plans and finds them in compliance with FIFRA and 40 CFR part 171 and is announcing its intention to approve the amended plans and seeks public comment.

List of Subjects

• Environmental protection
• Education
• Pesticides and pests

Dated: October 14, 2005.

Donald S. Welsh,

Regional Administrator, Region III.