[Federal Register: November 28, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 228)]
[Notices]
[Page 67298-67299]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28no07-46]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0431; FRL-8339-6]
Mefluidide 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 mefluidide. The Agency's
risk assessments and other related documents also are available in the
mefluidide docket. Mefluidide is a plant growth regulator that is
applied postemergence when needed. EPA has reviewed mefluidide 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: Wilhelmena Livingston, Special Review
and Reregistration Division (7508P), Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (703) 308-8025; fax
number: (703) 308-8005; e-mail address: livingston.wilhelmena@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-2007-0431. 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 Bldg.), 2777 S. Crystal
Dr., 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 Facility 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 RED for the pesticide, mefluidide under section
4(g)(2)(A) of FIFRA. Mefluidide is a plant growth regulator that is
applied postemergence when needed. It is used to suppress seed heads
and fruiting, as well as retarding growth to reduce mowing and
trimming. It is registered for use on turf on rights-of-ways, airports,
public and industrial sites, as well as on ornamental plants and
shrubs. Mefluidide can also be used on residential lawns. EPA has
determined that the database to support reregistration is substantially
complete and that products containing mefluidide are eligible for
reregistration, provided the risks are mitigated in the manner
described in the RED. Upon submission of any required product specific
data under section 4(g)(2)(B) of FIFRA 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) of
[[Page 67299]]
FIFRA for products containing mefluidide.
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, mefluidide 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 decision for mefluidide.
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. A comment period is not needed
because all issues related to this pesticide were resolved through
consultations with stakeholders. The Agency therefore is issuing the
mefluidide 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.''
List of Subjects
Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests.
Dated: November 19, 2007.
Steven Bradbury,
Director, Special Review and Reregistration Division, Office of
Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. E7-23094 Filed 11-27-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S