[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 48 (Wednesday, March 12, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11453-11454]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-6208]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-50827; FRL-5595-2]
Receipt of a Notification to Conduct Small-Scale Field Testing of
a Genetically Engineered Microbial Pesticide
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt of a notification (352-NMP-L) of
intent to conduct small-scale field testing involving a baculovirus,
Autographa californica Multiple Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (AcMNPV),
which has been genetically engineered to express a synthetic gene which
encodes for an insect-specific toxin from the scorpion Leiurus
quinquestriatus hebraeus. Dupont intends to test this microbial
pesticide on leafy vegetables in six states. Target pests for these
field trials include: the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni, and the
diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. The Agency has determined that
the notification may be of regional and national significance.
Therefore, in accordance with 40 CFR 172.11(a), the Agency is
soliciting public comments on this notification.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted to EPA by April 11, 1997.
ADDRESSES: By mail, submit written comments identified by the docket
control number [OPP-50827] to: Public Response and Program Resources
Branch, Field Operations Divisions (7506C), Office of Pesticide
Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington,
DC 20460. In person, bring comments to: Environmental Protection
Agency, Rm. 1132, CM #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA.
Comments and data may also be submitted electronically by sending
electronic mail (e-mail) to: opp-docket@epamail.epa.gov. Electronic
comments must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the use of special
characters and any form of encryption. Comments and data will be
accepted on disks in Wordperfect 5.1 file format or ASCII file format.
All comments and data in electronic form must be identified by the
docket control number [OPP-50827]. No Confidential Business Information
(CBI) should be submitted through e-mail. Electronic comments on this
notice may be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries.
Additional information on electronic submissions can be found below in
this document.
Information submitted as a comment concerning this document 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 comment 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. All written comments will be available for
public inspection in Rm. 1132 at the Virginia address given above from
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William R. Schneider, Biopesticides
and Pollution Prevention Division (7501W), Office of Pesticide
Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington,
DC 20460. Office location, telephone number, and e-mail address: 5th
Floor, CS #1, 2805 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA, (703) 308-8683,
e-mail: schneider.william@epamail.epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA received a notification from DuPont
Agricultural Products of Delaware (352-NMP-L). The proposed small-scale
field trial involves the introduction of a genetically engineered
isolate of the baculovirus, Autographa californica Multiple Nuclear
Polyhedrosis Virus (AcMNPV), which has been genetically engineered to
express a synthetic gene which encodes for an insect-specific toxin
from the venom of the scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus hebraeus.
The purpose of the proposed testing will be to assess and compare
the efficacy of formulated and unformulated genetically engineered
construct, formulated and unformulated wild type AcMNPV, and various
controls against the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni, and the
diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. The proposed program will be
conducted in spring 1997, and will consist of one trial per site. There
will be one site per state in Georgia (0.12 acres), Florida (0.25
acres), Mississippi (0.12 acres), California (0.12 acres), Texas (0.37
acres), and Illinois (0.37 acres). The total amount of AcMNPV for all
of the testing will not exceed 2.2E13 occlusion bodies for each of the
viruses tested. The test sites will either be 2 rows or 4 rows wide and
50 feet long.
[[Page 11454]]
On completion of the test, the genetically engineered AcMNPV treated
plants will remain standing for at least 2 weeks prior to shredding,
mowing, and plowing under. Following review of DuPont's notification
and any comments received in response to this notice, EPA may approve
the test, ask for additional data, require additional modifications to
the test protocols, or require an Experimental Use Permit application
to be submitted. In accordance with 40 CFR 172.50, under no
circumstances shall the proposed test proceed until the submitter has
received notice from EPA of its approval of such test.
A record has been established for this notice under docket control
number [OPP-50827] (including comments and data submitted
electronically as described below). 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. 1132 of the Public
Response and Program Resources Branch, Field Operations Division
(7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency,
Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA.
Electronic comments can be sent directly to EPA at:
opp-docket@epamail.epa.gov
Electronic comments must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the
use of special characters and any form of encryption.
The official record for this notice, as well as the public version,
as described above will be kept in paper form. Accordingly, EPA will
transfer all comments 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
address in ``ADDRESSES'' at the beginning of this document.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 172
Environmental protection, Genetically engineered microbial
pesticides.
Dated: March 5, 1997.
Janet L. Andersen,
Director, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division, Office of
Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 97-6208 Filed 3-11-97; 8:45 am]
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