97-13047. Bromoxynil; Pesticide Tolerances; Extension of Comment Period

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 95 (Friday, May 16, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 27002]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-13047]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[OPP-300486A; FRL-5719-2]
RIN AC18


Bromoxynil; Pesticide Tolerances; Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the period for filing public 
comment on the proposed tolerances for bromoxynil and its metabolite 
DBHA on cotton commodities, and for bromoxynil on animal commodities is 
extended.

DATES: Public comments must be received on or before May 26, 1997.

ADDRESSES: By mail, submit written comments to: Public Information and 
Records Integrity Branch, Information and Resources Division (7506C), 
Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M 
St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. In person, bring comments to Rm. 1132, 
CM #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA.
    Comments and data may also be submitted electronically by following 
the instructions under Unit II. of this document. No Confidential 
Business Information (CBI) should be submitted through e-mail.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: Jim Tompkins, Product Manager 
(PM) 25, Registration Division (7505C), Office of Pesticide Programs, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. 
Office location, telephone number, and e-mail address: Rm. 241, CM #2, 
1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA, [phone]; e-mail: 
[e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    In the Federal Register of May 2, 1997 (62 FR 24065) (FRL-5617-5), 
EPA issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for establishment of 
tolerances for residues of the herbicide bromoxynil and its metabolite 
DBHA on cotton commodities; for establishment of tolerances for 
residues of bromoxynil on poultry commodities (including eggs); and for 
revision of tolerances for residues of bromoxynil on other meat 
commodities and milk. Written comments on the proposed rule were to be 
received on or before May 19, 1997. On May 6, 1997, the Union of 
Concerned Scientists and the Environmental Defense Fund requested that 
EPA extend this comment period from 17 to 60 days.
    Under section 408(e) of the FFDCA, EPA is required to provide a 60-
day comment period on proposed rules unless EPA finds for good cause 
that it would be in the public interest to provide a shorter period. 
EPA shortened the comment period on the bromoxynil tolerances to 17 
days based on the fact that previous notice had been provided on the 
central issue of establishing a tolerance permitting use of bromoxynil 
on cotton, and cotton growers faced a potential hardship if a decision 
is not made expeditiously.
    In their request for an extension of the comment period, the Union 
of Concerned Scientists and the Environmental Defense Fund cited a 
number of health issues and questions regarding interpretation of the 
FFDCA safety standard. EPA does not believe these groups have shown 
that it is not in the public interest to shorten the comment period. 
EPA also does not think that the groups have demonstrated that the 
comment period is inadequate to address the issues they have raised. 
Nonetheless, EPA will extend the comment period for an additional 7 
days. Comments will now be due on or before May 26, 1997.

II. Public Docket

    The official record for the proposed rule, as well as the public 
version, has been established for the proposal under docket control 
number ``OPP-300486'' (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 located at the address in 
``ADDRESSES'' at the beginning of this document.
    Electronic comments can be sent directly to EPA at:
    [e-mail]

    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 5.1 file format or ASCII 
file format. All comments and data in electronic form must be 
identified by the docket control number OPP-300486. Electronic comments 
on the proposed rule may be filed online at many Federal Depository 
Libraries.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180

    Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, 
Agricultural commodities, Food additive, Pesticides and pests, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
    Dated: May 12, 1997.
James Jones,
Acting Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 97-13047 Filed 5-15-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F