[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 22, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15142-15143]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-7062]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-180964; FRL 4942-5]
Propazine; Receipt of Application for Emergency Exemption,
Solicitation of Public Comment
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: EPA has received a specific exemption request from the Kansas
Department of Agriculture (hereafter referred to as the ``Applicant'')
to use the pesticide propazine (CAS 139-40-2) to treat up to 300,000
acres of sorghum to control various weeds. The Applicant proposes the
use of a new (unregistered) chemical; therefore, 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 April 6, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Three copies of written comments, bearing the identification
notation ``OPP-180964,'' should be submitted by mail to: Public
Response and Program Resource Branch, Field Operations Division
(7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency,
401 M St., SW., [[Page 15143]] Washington, DC 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 #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, DC 20460. Office location
and telephone number: Floor 6, Crystal Station #1, 2800 Jefferson Davis
Highway, Arlington, VA, (703) 308-8417; e-mail:
beard.andrea@epamail.epa.gov.
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 propazine on sorghum to control pigweed. Information in accordance
with 40 CFR part 166 was submitted as part of this request.
Sorghum is grown as a rotational crop with cotton and wheat, in
order to comply with the soil conservation requirements. Propazine,
which was formerly registered for use on sorghum, was voluntarily
canceled by the former Registrant, who did not wish to support its re-
registration. The Applicant claims that this has left many sorghum
growers with no pre-emergent herbicides that will adequately control
certain broadleaf weeds, especially pigweed. The Applicant states that
other available herbicides have serious limitations on their use,
making them unsuitable for control of pigweed in sorghum. The Applicant
claims that significant economic losses will occur without the
availability of propazine.
Although the original Registrant of propazine has decided not to
support this chemical through re-registration, another company has
committed to support the data requirements for this use. Propazine was
once registered for this use, but has now been voluntarily canceled and
is therefore considered to be a new chemical.
The Applicant proposes to apply propazine at a maximum rate of 1.2
lbs. active ingredient (a.i.), (2.4 pt. of product) per acre, by ground
or air, to a maximum of 300,000 acres of sorghum, with one application
allowed per crop growing season. Therefore, use under this exemption
could potentially amount to a maximum total of 360,000 lbs. of active
ingredient (90,000 gal. of product).
This notice does not constitute a decision by EPA on the
application itself. The regulations governing section 18 require
publication of a notice of receipt of an application for a specific
exemption proposing use of a new chemical (i.e., an active ingredient
not contained in any currently registered pesticide). Such notice
provides for opportunity for public comment on the application.
Accordingly, interested persons may submit written views on this
subject to the Field Operations Division at the address above.
The Agency, accordingly, will review and consider all comments
received during the comment period in determining whether to issue the
emergency exemption requested by the Kansas Department of Agriculture.
List of Subjects
Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests, Crisis exemptions.
Dated: March 14, 1995.
Stephen L. Johnson,
Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 95-7062 Filed 3-21-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F
