[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 41 (Wednesday, March 2, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-4537]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 2, 1994]
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ENVIRONMENTLAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-180921; FRL 4761-6]
Receipt of Application for Emergency Exemption to use Bifenthrin;
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
California Environmental Protection Agency (hereafter referred to as
the ``Applicant'') to use the pesticide bifenthrin [CAS 82657-04-3 cis
isomer and CAS 83322-02-5 trans isomer] to treat up to 200,000 acres of
cucurbits (cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, and squash) to control the
sweet potato whitefly. 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 17, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Three copies of written comments, bearing the identification
notation ``OPP-180921,'' should be submitted by mail to: Public
Response and Program Resources 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. 1132, 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.
1132, Crystal Mall No. 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: Andrea Beard, Registration
Division (7505W), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental
Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, D.C. 20460. Office
location and telephone number: Floor 6, Crystal Station #1, 2800
Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA, (703) 308-8791.
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 Applicant has
requested the Administrator to issue a specific exemption for the use
of bifenthrin on cucurbits to control the sweet potato whitefly.
Information in accordance with 40 CFR part 166 was submitted as part of
this request.
The sweet potato whitefly (SPWF) is a relatively new pest on
cucurbits. The SPWF has caused severe economic damage to several other
commodities nationwide including cotton, lettuce, squash, beans,
peanuts, and ornamentals. SPWF causes damage through feeding
activities, and also indirectly through the production of a honeydew,
which encourages growth of sooty mold and other fungi. The Applicant
claims that adequate control of the SPWF is not being achieved with the
currently registered compounds. The Applicant claims that significant
economic losses are expected in California cucurbit production if the
SPWF is not adequately controlled, and is therefore requesting this use
of bifenthrin.
The Applicant proposes to apply bifenthrin at a maximum rate of 0.1
lb. active ingredient (a.i.) (6.4 oz. of product) per acre with up to
three applications allowed, and a maximum of 0.3 lb. a.i. per acre per
season, on a total of 200,000 acres of cucurbits. It is possible to
produce two cucurbit crops per calendar year on a given acre, and
therefore, the acreage could potentially receive 6 applications,
(maximum of 0.6 lb. a.i. per acre) per calendar year. Therefore, use
under this exemption could potentially amount to a maximum total of
120,000 lbs. of active ingredient. This notice does not constitute a
decision by EPA on the application itself. This is the third time that
the Applicant has applied for the use of bifenthrin on cucurbits, and
the fourth year that this use has been requested under section 18. 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 proposing use of a pesticide 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
and/or a petition for tolerance for residues in or on the commodity has
not been submitted to the Agency [40 CFR 166.24(a)(6)].
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 exemption
requested by the California Environmental Protection Agency.
List of Subjects
Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests, Crisis exemptions.
Dated: February 17, 1994.
Stephen L. Johnson,
Acting Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 94-4537 Filed 3-1-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F
