[Federal Register: January 31, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 20)]
[Notices]
[Page 4505-4506]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31ja07-50]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2004-0372; FRL-8112-7]
Fluometuron Reregistration Eligibility Decision
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of EPA's Reregistration
Eligibility Decision (RED) for the pesticide fluometuron. The Agency's
risk assessments and other related documents also are available in the
fluometuron Docket. Fluometuron is a phenylurea herbicide that is used
only on cotton. EPA has reviewed fluometuron through the public
participation process that the Agency uses to involve the public in
developing pesticide reregistration and tolerance reassessment
decisions. Through these programs, EPA is ensuring that all pesticides
meet current health and safety standards.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kylie Rothwell, Special Review and
Reregistration Division (7508P), Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: 703-308-8055; fax number:
703-308-8005; e-mail address:rothwell.kylie@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
A. Does this Action Apply to Me?
This action is directed to the public in general, and may be of
interest to a wide range of stakeholders including environmental, human
health, and agricultural advocates; the chemical industry; pesticide
users; and members of the public interested in the sale, distribution,
or use of pesticides. Since others also may be interested, the Agency
has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may be
affected by this action. If you have any questions regarding the
applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the person
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
B. How Can I Get Copies of this Document and Other Related Information?
1. Docket. EPA has established a docket for this action under
docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2004-0372. Publicly
available docket materials are available either in the electronic
docket at http://www.regulations.gov, or, if only available in hard
copy, at the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) Regulatory Public
Docket in Rm. S-4400, One Potomac Yard (South Building), 2777 S.
Crystal Drive Arlington, VA. The hours of operation of this Docket
Facility are from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding
legal holidays. The Docket telephone number is (703) 305-5805.
2. Electronic access. You may access this Federal Register document
electronically through the EPA Internet under the ``Federal Register''
listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr.
II. Background
A. What Action is the Agency Taking?
Under section 4 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is reevaluating existing pesticides to
ensure that they meet current scientific and regulatory standards. EPA
has completed a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for the
pesticide, fluometuron under section 4(g)(2)(A) of FIFRA. Fluometuron
is a phenylurea herbicide that is used only on cotton. EPA has
determined that the data base to support reregistration is
substantially complete and that products containing fluometuron are
eligible for reregistration provided the risks are mitigated either in
the manner described in the RED or by another means that achieves
equivalent risk reduction. Upon submission of any required product
specific data under section 4(g)(2)(B) and any necessary changes to the
registration and labeling (either to address concerns identified in the
RED or as a result of product specific data), EPA will make a final
reregistration decision under section 4(g)(2)(C) for products
containing fluometuron.
EPA was required to review tolerances and tolerance exemptions that
were in effect when the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) was enacted
in August 1996, to ensure that these existing pesticide residue limits
for food and feed commodities meet the safety standard established by
the new law. Tolerances are considered reassessed once the safety
finding has been made or a revocation occurs. EPA has reviewed and made
the requisite safety finding for the fluometuron tolerances included in
this notice.
Although the fluometuron RED was signed on September 28, 2005,
certain components of the document, which did not affect the final
regulatory decision, were undergoing final editing at that time. These
components, including the list of additional generic data
[[Page 4506]]
requirements, summary of labeling changes, appendices, and other
relevant information, have been added to the fluometuron RED document.
In addition, subsequent to signature, EPA identified several minor
errors and ambiguities in the document. Therefore, for the sake of
accuracy, the Agency also has included the appropriate error
corrections, amendments, and clarifications. None of these additions or
changes alter the conclusions documented in the September 28, 2005,
fluometuron RED.
EPA is applying the principles of public participation to all
pesticides undergoing reregistration and tolerance reassessment. The
Agency's Pesticide Tolerance Reassessment and Reregistration; Public
Participation Process, published in the Federal Register on May 14,
2004, (69 FR 26819)(FRL-7357-9) explains that in conducting these
programs, EPA is tailoring its public participation process to be
commensurate with the level of risk, extent of use, complexity of
issues, and degree of public concern associated with each pesticide.
Due to its uses, risks, and other factors, fluometuron was reviewed
through the modified 4-Phase public participation process. Through this
process, EPA worked extensively with stakeholders and the public to
reach the regulatory decisions for fluometuron.
The reregistration program is being conducted under Congressionally
mandated time frames, and EPA recognizes the need both to make timely
decisions and to involve the public. Opportunities for public comment
were offered at the initial docket opening in April 2005 and as this
decision was being developed. Further, issues related to fluometuron
were resolved through consultations with stakeholders. The Agency
therefore is issuing the fluometuron RED without a comment period.
B. What is the Agency's Authority for Taking this Action?
Section 4(g)(2) of FIFRA as amended, directs that, after submission
of all data concerning a pesticide active ingredient, ``the
Administrator shall determine whether pesticides containing such active
ingredient are eligible for reregistration,'' before calling in product
specific data on individual end-use products and either reregistering
products or taking other ``appropriate regulatory action.''
Section 408(q) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA),
21 U.S.C. 346a(q), required EPA to review tolerances and exemptions for
pesticide residues in effect as of August 2, 1996, to determine whether
the tolerance or exemption met the requirements of section 408(b)(2) or
(c)(2) of FFDCA.
List of Subjects
Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests.
Dated: January 24, 2007.
Peter Caulkins,
Acting Director, Special Review and Reregistration Division, Office of
Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. E7-1517 Filed 1-30-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S