[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 59 (Friday, March 27, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14936-14937]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8072]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-181058; FRL-5780-4]
Triazamate; 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
Washington Department of Agriculture (hereafter referred to as the
``Applicant'') to use the pesticide triazamate (CAS 112143-82-5) to
treat up to 5,000 acres of true fir Christmas trees to control root
aphids.
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 13, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Three copies of written comments, bearing the identification
notation ``OPP-18058 ,'' should be submitted by mail to: Public
Information and Records Integrity Branch, Information Resources and
Division (7502), 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: Stephen Schaible,
Registration Division (7505C), Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW, Washington, DC 20460.
Office location and telephone number: Floor 2, Crystal Mall #2, 1921
Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA, (703-308-9362); e-mail:
schaible.stephen@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 triazamate on true fir Christmas trees to control root aphids.
Information in accordance with 40 CFR part 166 was submitted as part of
this request.
According to the Applicant, the root aphid is not new to the
Northwest, but has only recently been identified as posing a serious
economic threat to true fir Christmas tree plantations. Root aphids
feed on the roots of true fir trees, causing stunting and color loss in
the foliage, and increasing susceptibility to disease. Losses extend
from the first year through the life of the plantation. Attempts to
chemically control the aphids during the winged stage during migration
to and from fir trees have not been successful. Foliar and soil drench
applications of several insecticides have also been tested, with none
being adequately successful.
Under the proposed exemption, a maximum of two applications, at
least 30 days apart and when aphids are present, at a rate of 0.5 lb/
acre of formulated product (0.25 lb/acre active ingredient) would be
applied by ground or air. A maximum of 5,000 acres in Kitsap, Lewis,
Mason and Thurston counties would be treated. Do not apply
[[Page 14937]]
through any type of irrigation system. No application will be permitted
within 50 yards of any body of water. Do not enter or allow worker
entry into treated areas during the restricted entry interval (REI) of
12 hours.
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), -OR- if an
emergency exemption for a use has been requested in any 3 previous
years, and a complete application for registration of the use and/or a
tolerance petition has not been submitted to the Agency 40 CFR 166.24.
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-181058]
(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:
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 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-181058]. 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 Washinton Department of
Agriculture.
List of Subject
Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests, Emergency
exemptions.
Dated: March 19, 1998
James Jones,
Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 98-8072 Filed 3-26-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F
