[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 6, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25036-25037]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-11761]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-181061; FRL 5787-1]
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
Arkansas State Plant Board hereafter referred to as the ``Applicant''
to use the pesticide flowable Carbofuran (Furadan 4F Insecticide/
Nematicide) (EPA Reg. No. 279-2876) to treat up to 1 million acres of
cotton, to control cotton aphids. The Applicant proposes 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 May 21, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Three copies of written comments, bearing the identification
notation ``OPP-181061,'' 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 by sending
electronic mail (e-mail) to: opp-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: CM#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 Applicant has
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.
As part of this request, the Applicant asserts that the state of
Arkansas is likely to experience non-routine infestations of aphids
during the 1998 cotton growing season. The applicant further claims
that, without a specific exemption of FIFRA for the use of flowable
carbofuran on cotton to control cotton aphids, cotton growers in the
state will suffer significant economic losses. The applicant also
details 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.
[[Page 25037]]
The Applicant proposes 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 June 1, 1998 until September 30, 1998 would be 0.5 lb. a.i. (16
fluid oz.) per acre. The applicant proposes that the maximum acreage
which could be treated under the requested exemption would be 1 million
acres, with approximately half of that acreage requiring a second
application. If all the proposed acres were treated at the maximum
proposed rate, then 375,000 lbs. a.i. would be used in Arkansas.
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-181061]
(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-181061]. 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 Arkansas State Plant Board.
List of Subjects
Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests, Emergency
exemptions.
Dated: April 23, 1998.
Peter Caulkins,
Acting Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 98-11761 Filed 5-5-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F
