[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 16, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5998]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 16, 1994]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-180926; FRL 4765-4]
Receipt of Application for Emergency Exemption to use Avermectin;
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 Idaho,
Oregon and Washington Departments of Agriculture (hereafter referred to
as the ``Applicants'') for use of the pesticide Avermectin (EPA Reg.
No. 618-98) to control Tetranychus urticae (Two-spotted spider mite) on
up to 42,000 acres of Hops. In accordance with 40 CFR 166.24, EPA is
soliciting public comment before making the decision whether or not to
grant the exemption.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 31, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Three copies of written comments, bearing the identification
notation ``OPP-180926,'' should be submitted by mail to: Public
Response and Human Resource Branch, Field Operations Division (7506C),
Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M
St., SW., Washington, D.C. 20460. In person, bring comments to: Rm.
1128, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA.
Information submitted in any comment concerning this notice may be
claimed confidential by marking any part or all of that information as
``Confidential Business Information.'' 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 Confidential
Business Information must be provided by the submitter for inclusion in
the public record. Information not marked confidential may be disclosed
publicly by EPA without prior notice. All written comments filed
pursuant to this notice will be available for public inspection in Rm.
1128, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA,
from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except legal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: Lawrence Fried, Registration
Division (7505W), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental
Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, D.C. 20460. Office
location and telephone number: 6th Floor, Crystal Station I, 2800
Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202, (703) 308-8328.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 18 of the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (7 U.S.C. 136p),
the Administrator may, at her discretion, exempt a State agency from
any registration provision of FIFRA if she determines that emergency
conditions exist which require such exemption. The Applicants have
requested the Administrator to issue specific exemptions for the use of
the miticide/insecticide, avermectin, available as Agrimek 0.15EC (EPA
Reg. No. 618-98) from Merck and Company, Incorporated, to control the
Two-spotted spider mite (TSSM), in Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
Information in accordance with 40 CFR part 166 was submitted as part of
this request.
According to the Applicants, the TSSM is a serious pest problem in
hop yards. The TSSM's rapid reproduction cycle results in a significant
expansion of their population size. With such a high fecundity rate
stimulated by extended hot, dry weather conditions, it takes only a
short period of time for mites to reach injurious densities resulting
in reduced plant vigor, yields and the discoloration of hop cones which
decreases product quality. This reduction in quality can result in
rejection by brewers, the major buyers of hops, and severely impacts
hop growers economically. The Applicants claim that none of the
registered pesticides are effective against the TSSM and that, without
an effective control, growers will incur significant economic losses
during the 1994 growing season.
Under the proposed exemption a maximum of 10,500 gallons of
formulated product could be used if conditions conducive to mite
propagation occur during the growing season. A 14-day pre-harvest
interval will be observed. In addition, livestock would not be grazed
in treated hop yards. Applications would be made between April 15 and
September 20, 1994.
This notice does not constitute a decision by EPA on the
application itself. The regulations governing section 18 require that
the Agency publish notice of receipt in the Federal Register and
solicit public comment on an application for a specific exemption if an
emergency exemption has been requested or granted for that use in any 3
previous years, and a complete application for registration of that use
has not been submitted to the Agency [40 CFR 166.24 (a)(6)]. Exemptions
for the use of avermectin on hops have been requested and granted for
the past 3 years, and an application for registration of this use has
not been submitted to the Agency.
Accordingly, interested persons may submit written views on this
subject to the Field Operations Division at the address above. The
Agency will review and consider all comments received during the
comment period in determining whether to issue the emergency exemptions
requested by the Idaho, Oregon and Washington Departments of
Agriculture.
List of Subjects
Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests, Crisis exemptions.
Dated: March 4, 1994.
Stephanie R. Irene,
Acting Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 94-5998 Filed 3-15-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F
