[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 231 (Wednesday, December 2, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66456-66458]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-31681]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 180
[OPP-300755; FRL-6041-3]
RIN 2070-AB78
Primisulfuron-Methyl; Extension of Tolerance for Emergency
Exemptions
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This rule extends a time-limited tolerance for residues of the
herbicide primisulfuron-methyl and its metabolites in or on bluegrass
hay at 0.1 part per million (ppm) for an additional 18-month period, to
April 30, 2000. This action is in response to EPA's granting of an
emergency exemption under section 18 of the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) authorizing use of the pesticide
on bluegrass grown for seed. Section 408(l)(6) of the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) requires EPA to establish a time-limited
tolerance or exemption from the requirement for a tolerance for
pesticide chemical residues in food that will result from the use of a
pesticide under an emergency exemption granted by EPA under section 18
of FIFRA.
DATES: This regulation is effective December 2, 1998. Objections and
requests for hearings must be received by EPA, on or before February 1,
1999.
ADDRESSES: Written objections and hearing requests, identified by the
docket control number [OPP-300755], must be submitted to: Hearing Clerk
(1900), Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. M3708, 401 M St., SW.,
Washington, DC 20460. Fees accompanying objections and hearing requests
shall be labeled ``Tolerance Petition Fees'' and forwarded to: EPA
Headquarters Accounting Operations Branch, OPP (Tolerance Fees) and
forwarded to: EPA Headquarters Accounting Operations Branch, OPP
(Tolerance Fees), P.O. Box 360277M, Pittsburgh, PA 15251. A copy of any
objections and hearing requests filed with the Hearing Clerk identified
by the docket control number, [OPP-300755], must also be submitted 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.
In person, bring a copy of objections and hearing requests to Rm. 119,
Crystal Mall 2 (CM #2), 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA.
A copy of objections and hearing requests filed with the Hearing
Clerk may be submitted electronically by sending electronic mail (e-
mail) to: opp-docket@epa.gov. Copies of electronic objections and
hearing requests must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the use of
special characters and any form of encryption. Copies of electronic
objections and hearing requests will also be accepted on disks in
WordPerfect 5.1/6.1 file format or ASCII file format. All copies of
electronic objections and hearing requests must be identified by the
docket number [OPP-300755]. No Confidential Business Information (CBI)
should be submitted through e-mail. Copies of electronic objections and
hearing requests on this rule may be filed online at many Federal
Depository Libraries.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: Andrea Beard, Registration
Division (7505C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental
Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. Office
location, telephone number, and e-mail address: Rm. 267, CM #2, 1921
Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA 22202, (703) 308-9356; e-mail:
beard.andrea@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA issued a final rule, published in the
Federal Register of December 17, 1997 (62 FR 66014) (FRL-5753-6), which
announced that on its own initiative and under section 408(e) of the
FFDCA, 21 U.S.C. 346a(e) and (l)(6), it established a time-limited
tolerance for the residues of primisulfuron-methyl and its metabolites
in or on bluegrass hay at 0.1 ppm, with an expiration date of October
31, 1998. EPA established the tolerance because section 408(l)(6) of
the FFDCA requires EPA to establish a time-limited tolerance or
exemption from the requirement for a tolerance for pesticide chemical
residues in food or feed that will result from the use of a pesticide
under an emergency exemption granted by EPA under section 18 of FIFRA.
Such tolerances can be established without providing notice or a period
for public comment.
EPA received a request to extend the use of primisulfuron-methyl on
bluegrass grown for seed for this year's growing season due to the
situation remaining an emergency. Several factors, including increased
no-till practices for soil conservation, reduced open burning, and
climatic conditions, have contributed to the proliferation of grassy
weeds to unacceptable levels in Kentucky bluegrass fields in Idaho and
Washington. Presence of these grassy weed seeds in the end product
makes the grass seed unmarketable in many areas, and without control of
these weeds, growers were expected to suffer significant economic
losses. After having reviewed the submission, EPA concurs that
emergency conditions exist for these states. EPA has authorized under
FIFRA section 18 the use of primisulfuron-methyl on bluegrass grown for
seed for control of grassy weeds in bluegrass grown for seed.
EPA assessed the potential risks presented by residues of
primisulfuron-methyl in or on bluegrass hay. In doing so, EPA
considered the new safety standard in FFDCA section 408(b)(2), and
decided that the necessary tolerance under FFDCA section 408(l)(6)
would be
[[Page 66457]]
consistent with the new safety standard and with FIFRA section 18. The
data and other relevant material have been evaluated and discussed in
the final rule of December 17, 1997. Based on that data and information
considered, the Agency reaffirms that extension of the time-limited
tolerance will continue to meet the requirements of section FFDCA
408(l)(6). Therefore, the time-limited tolerance is extended for an
additional 18-month period. Although this tolerance will expire and is
revoked on April 30, 2000, under FFDCA section 408(l)(5), residues of
the pesticide not in excess of the amounts specified in the tolerance
remaining in or on bluegrass hay after that date will not be unlawful,
provided the pesticide is applied in a manner that was lawful under
FIFRA and the application occurred prior to the revocation of the
tolerance. EPA will take action to revoke this tolerance earlier if any
experience with, scientific data on, or other relevant information on
this pesticide indicate that the residues are not safe.
I. Objections and Hearing Requests
The new FFDCA section 408(g) provides essentially the same process
for persons to ``object'' to a tolerance regulation issued by EPA under
new section 408(e) and (l)(6) as was provided in the old section 408
and in section 409. However, the period for filing objections is 60
days, rather than 30 days. EPA currently has procedural regulations
which govern the submission of objections and hearing requests. These
regulations will require some modification to reflect the new law.
However, until those modifications can be made, EPA will continue to
use those procedural regulations with appropriate adjustments to
reflect the new law.
Any person may, by February 1, 1999, file written objections to any
aspect of this regulation and may also request a hearing on those
objections. Objections and hearing requests must be filed with the
Hearing Clerk, at the address given above (40 CFR 178.20). A copy of
the objections and/or hearing requests filed with the Hearing Clerk
should be submitted to the OPP Docket for this rule. The objections
submitted must specify the provisions of the regulation deemed
objectionable and the grounds for the objections (40 CFR 178.25). Each
objection must be accompanied by the fee prescribed by 40 CFR
180.33(i). If a hearing is requested, the objections must include a
statement of the factual issues on which a hearing is requested, the
requestor's contentions on such issues, and a summary of any evidence
relied upon by the requestor (40 CFR 178.27). A request for a hearing
will be granted if the Administrator determines that the material
submitted shows the following: There is genuine and substantial issue
of fact; there is a reasonable possibility that available evidence
identified by the requestor would, if established, resolve one or more
of such issues in favor of the requestor, taking into account
uncontested claims or facts to the contrary; and resolution of the
factual issues in the manner sought by the requestor would be adequate
to justify the action requested (40 CFR 178.32). Information submitted
in connection with an objection or hearing request may be claimed
confidential 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. A copy of the information that
does not contain CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public
record. Information not marked confidential may be disclosed publicly
by EPA without prior notice.
VII. Public Record and Electronic Submissions
EPA has established a record for this regulation under docket
control number [OPP-300755] (including any comments and data submitted
electronically). A public version of this record, including printed,
paper versions of electronic comments, which does not include any
information claimed as CBI, is available for inspection from 8:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The public
record is located in Rm. 119 of the Public Information and Records
Integrity Branch, Information Resources and Services Division (7502C),
Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, CM #2,
1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA.
Objections and hearing requests may be sent by e-mail directly to
EPA at:
opp-docket@epa.gov.
E-mailed objections and hearing requests must be submitted as an
ASCII file avoiding the use of special characters and any form of
encryption.
The official record for this regulation, as well as the public
version, as described in this unit will be kept in paper form.
Accordingly, EPA will transfer any copies of objections and hearing
requests received electronically into printed, paper form as they are
received and will place the paper copies in the official record which
will also include all comments submitted directly in writing. The
official record is the paper record maintained at the Virginia address
in ``ADDRESSES'' at the beginning of this document.
III. Regulatory Assessment Requirements
A. Certain Acts and Executive Orders
This final rule extends a time-limited tolerance that was
previously established by EPA 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). In addition, this final rule does not contain any
information collections subject to OMB approval under the Paperwork
Reduction Act (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., or impose any enforceable
duty or contain any unfunded mandate as described under Title II of the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (Pub. L. 104-4). Nor does
it require any prior consultation as specified by Executive Order
12875, entitled Enhancing the Intergovernmental Partnership (58 FR
58093, October 28, 1993), or special considerations as required by
Executive Order 12898, entitled Federal Actions to Address
Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income
Populations (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994), or require OMB review in
accordance with Executive Order 13045, entitled Protection of Children
from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks (62 FR 19885, April
23, 1997).
In addition, since this extension of an existing time-limited
tolerance that was established on the basis of a petition under FFDCA
section 408(d), such as the exemption 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.
Nevertheless, the Agency has previously assessed whether establishing
tolerances, exemptions from tolerances, raising tolerance levels, or
expanding exemptions might adversely impact small entities and
concluded, as a generic matter, that there is no adverse economic
impact. The factual basis for the Agency's generic certification for
tolerance actions published on May 4, 1981 (46 FR 24950), and was
provided to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business
Administration.
B. Executive Order 12875
Under Executive Order 12875, entitled Enhancing the
Intergovernmental Partnership (58 FR 58093, October 28, 1993), EPA may
not
[[Page 66458]]
issue a regulation that is not required by statute and that creates a
mandate upon a State, local, or tribal government, unless the Federal
government provides the funds necessary to pay the direct compliance
costs incurred by those governments. If the mandate is unfunded, EPA
must provide to OMB a description of the extent of EPA's prior
consultation with representatives of affected State, local, and tribal
governments, the nature of their concerns, copies of any written
communications from the governments, and a statement supporting the
need to issue the regulation. In addition, Executive Order 12875
requires EPA to develop an effective process permitting elected
officials and other representatives of State, local, and tribal
governments ``to provide meaningful and timely input in the development
of regulatory proposals containing significant unfunded mandates.''
Today's rule does not create an unfunded Federal mandate on State,
local, or tribal governments. The rule does not impose any enforceable
duties on these entities. Accordingly, the requirements of section 1(a)
of Executive Order 12875 do not apply to this rule.
C. Executive Order 13084
Under Executive Order 13084, entitled Consultation and Coordination
with Indian Tribal Governments (63 FR 27655, May 19, 1998), EPA may not
issue a regulation that is not required by statute, that significantly
or uniquely affects the communities of Indian tribal governments, and
that imposes substantial direct compliance costs on those communities,
unless the Federal government provides the funds necessary to pay the
direct compliance costs incurred by the tribal governments. If the
mandate is unfunded, EPA must provide to OMB, in a separately
identified section of the preamble to the rule, a description of the
extent of EPA's prior consultation with representatives of affected
tribal governments, a summary of the nature of their concerns, and a
statement supporting the need to issue the regulation. In addition,
Executive Order 13084 requires EPA to develop an effective process
permitting elected officials and other representatives of Indian tribal
governments ``to provide meaningful and timely input in the development
of regulatory policies on matters that significantly or uniquely affect
their communities.''
Today's rule does not significantly or uniquely affect the
communities of Indian tribal governments. This action does not involve
or impose any requirements that affect Indian tribes. Accordingly, the
requirements of section 3(b) of Executive Order 13084 do not apply to
this rule.
IV. Submission to Congress and the Comptroller General
The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally
provides that before a rule may take effect, the Agency promulgating
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule,
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the
United States. 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 this rule in the Federal Register. This rule 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: October 30, 1998.
James Jones,
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. 346a and 371.
Sec. 180.452 [Amended]
2. In Sec. 180.452, paragraph (b), in the table, amend the entry
``Bluegrass hay'' by removing the expiration date ``10/31/98'' and
adding in its place ``4/30/00''.
[FR Doc. 98-31681 Filed 12-1-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F
