[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 57 (Wednesday, March 25, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14459-14460]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-7303]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-181056; FRL 5779-9]
Carbofuran; Receipt of Application for Emergency Exemption,
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 Texas
Department of Agriculture and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture
and Forestry (hereafter referred to as the ``Applicants'') to use the
pesticide flowable carbofuran (Furadan 4F Insecticide/Nematicide) (EPA
Reg. No. 279-2876) to treat up to 1.8 million acres of cotton in Texas,
and up to 500,000 acres of cotton in Louisiana, to control cotton
aphids. The Applicants propose the use of a chemical which has been the
subject of a Special Review within EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs.
The granular formulation of carbofuran was the subject of a Special
Review between the years of 1986-1991, which resulted in a negotiated
settlement whereby most of the registered uses of granular carbofuran
were phased out. While the flowable formulation of carbofuran is not
the subject of a Special Review, EPA believes that the proposed use of
flowable carbofuran on cotton could pose a risk similar to the risk
assessed by EPA under the Special Review of granular carbofuran.
Additionally, in 1997 EPA denied requests made under provisions of
section 18 for this use of flowable carbofuran. 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 9, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Three copies of written comments, bearing the identification
notation ``OPP-181056,'' should be submitted by mail 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 comments to: Rm. 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis
Highway, Arlington, VA.
Comments and data may also be submitted electronically to: docket@epamail.epa.gov. Follow the instruction under ``SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION.'' No Confidential Business Information (CBI) should be
submitted through e-mail.
Information submitted in any comment concerning this notice 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 included in the
public record by EPA without prior notice. The public docket is
available for public inspection in Rm. 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1921
Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: David Deegan, Registration
Division (7505C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental
Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. Office
location, telephone number, and e-mail: Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson
Davis Highway, Arlington, VA, (703-308-9358); e-mail:
deegan.dave@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 Applicants have
requested the Administrator to issue a specific exemption for the use
of carbofuran on cotton to control aphids. Information in accordance
with 40 CFR part 166 was submitted as part of this request.
[[Page 14460]]
As part of this request, the Applicants assert that the state of
Texas and the state of Louisiana are likely to experience non-routine
infestations of aphids during the 1998 cotton growing season. The
applicants further claim that, without a specific exemption of FIFRA
for the use of flowable carbofuran on cotton to control cotton aphids,
cotton growers in the states will suffer significant economic losses.
The applicants also detail a use program designed to minimize risks to
pesticide handlers and applicators, non-target organisms (both
Federally-listed endangered species, and non-listed species), and to
reduce the possibility of drift and runoff.
The applicants propose to make no more than two applications of
flowable carbofuran on cotton at the rate of 0.25 lb. active ingredient
[(a.i.)] (8 fluid oz.) in a minimum of 2 gallons of finished spray per
acre by air, or 10 gallons of finished spray per acre by ground
application. The total maximum proposed use during the 1998 growing
season (March 1, 1998 until September 30, 1998 in Texas, and between
June 1, 1998 - September 30, 1998 in Louisiana) would be 0.5 lb. a.i.
(16 fluid oz.) per acre. The applicants propose that the maximum
acreage which could be treated under the requested exemption would be
1.8 million acres in Texas, and 500,000 acres in Louisiana. If all
acres were treated at the maximum proposed rates, then 900,000 lbs.
a.i. (225,000 gallons Furadan 4F Insecticide/Nematicide) would be used
in Texas; and 250,000 lbs. a.i. would be used in Louisiana.
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 chemical (i.e., an active ingredient)
which has been the subject of a Special Review within EPA's Office of
Pesticide Programs, and the proposed use could pose a risk similar to
the risk assessed by EPA under the previous Special Review. Such notice
provides for opportunity for public comment on the application.
The official record for this notice, as well as the public version,
has been established for this notice under docket number [OPP-181056]
(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 official record is
the paper record maintained at the address in ``ADDRESSES'' at the
beginning of this document.
Electronic comments can be sent directly to EPA at: 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 also be accepted on disks in WordPerfect in 5.1/6.1 or ASCII file
format. All comments and data in electronic form must be identified by
the docket number [OPP-181056]. Electronic comments on this notice may
be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries.
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 Texas Department of Agriculture,
and by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
List of Subjects
Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests, Emergency
exemptions.
Dated: March 13,1998
Peter Caulkins,
Acting Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 98-7303 Filed 3-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F
