65 FR 161 pgs. 50523-50524 - Pesticides; Availability of Risk Assessments
Type: NOTICEVolume: 65Number: 161Pages: 50523 - 50524
Docket number: [OPP-34235; FRL-6740-5]
FR document: [FR Doc. 00-21082 Filed 8-17-00; 8:45 am]
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-34235; FRL-6740-5]
Pesticides; Availability of Risk Assessments
AGENCY:
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY:
This notice announces the availability of risk assessments thatwere developed as part of the EPA's process for making Reregistration Eligibility Decisions(REDs) for pesticides and for tolerance reassessments consistent with the Federal Food, Drug,and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA).These risk assessments are the human health and ecological risk assessments and relateddocuments for vinclozolin. These risk assessments are being released to the public as part ofthe joint initiative between EPA and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to strengthenstakeholder involvement and help ensure decisions made under FQPA are transparent and basedon the best available information. The tolerance reassessment process will ensure that the UnitedStates continues to have the safest and most abundant food supply.
DATES:
The risk assessments and related documents are available in theOPP Docket. While there is no formal public comment period, the Agency will acceptcomments on the risk assessment documents. Comments submitted within the first 30 days aremost likely to be considered.
ADDRESSES:
Comments may be submitted by mail, electronically, or inperson. Please follow the detailed instructions for each method as provided in Unit II. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, it is imperative that you identify docket control number of the chemical of specific interest in the subject line on the first page of your response.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Deanna Scher,Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508W), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (703) 308-7043; e-mail address: scher.deanna@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
A. Does this Action Apply to Me?
This action is directed to the public in general, nevertheless, a wide range of stakeholders will be interested in obtaining the risk assessments for vinclozolin, including environmental, human health, and agricultural advocates; the chemical industry; pesticide users; and members of the public interested in the use of pesticides on food. Since other entities 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 Additional Information, Including Copies of this Document and OtherRelated Documents?
1. Electronically . You may obtain electronic copies of this document, andcertain other related documents that might be available electronically, from the EPA InternetHome Page at http://www.epa.gov/. On the Home Page select "Laws andRegulations"," Regulations and Proposed Rules," and then look up theentry for this document under the Federal Register -EnvironmentalDocuments. You can also go directly to the Federal Register listings athttp://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/. In addition, copies of the pesticide risk assessments released to thepublic may also be accessed at http: www.epa.gov/pesticides.
2. In person . The Agency has established an official record for this actionunder docket control numbers OPP-34235. The official record consists of the documentsspecifically referenced in this action, and other information related to this action, including anyinformation claimed as Confidential Business Information (CBI). This official record includesthe documents that are physically located in the docket, as well as the documents that arereferenced in those documents. The public version of the official record does not include anyinformation claimed as CBI. The public version of the official record, which includes printed,paper versions of any electronic comments submitted during an applicable comment period isavailable for inspection in the Public Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Rm. 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.,Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The PIRIB telephone number is (703) 305-5805.
II. How Can I Respond to this Action?
A. How and to Whom Do I Submit Comments?
You may submit comments through the mail, in person, or electronically. To ensureproper receipt by EPA, it is imperative that you identify docket control number for the specificchemical of interest in the subject line on the first page of your response.
1. By mail . Submit comments to: Public Information and RecordsIntegrity Branch, Information Resources and Services Division (7502C), Office of PesticidePrograms, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
2. In person or by courier . Deliver comments to: Public Informationand Records Integrity Branch, Information Resources and Services Division, Office of PesticidePrograms, Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 JeffersonDavis Hwy., Arlington, VA. The PIRIB is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday throughFriday, excluding legal holidays. The PIRIB telephone number is (703) 305-5805.
3. Electronically . Submit electronic comments by e-mail to:"opp-docket@epa.gov," or you can submit a computer disk as describedin this unit. Do not submit any information electronically that you consider to be CBI. Electroniccomments must be submitted as an ASCII file, avoiding the use of special characters and anyform of encryption. Comments and data will also be accepted on standard computer disks inWordPerfect 6.1/8.0 or ASCII file format. All comments in electronic form must be identified bythe docket control number of the chemical of specific interest. Electronic comments may also befiled online at many Federal Depository Libraries.
B. How Should I Handle CBI Information that I Want to Submit to the Agency?
Do not submit any information electronically that you consider to be CBI. You mayclaim information that you submit to EPA in response to this document as CBI by marking anypart or all of that information as CBI. Information so marked will not be disclosed except inaccordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2. In addition to one complete version ofthe comment that includes any information claimed as CBI, a copy of the comment that does notcontain the information claimed as CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public version ofthe official record. Information not marked confidential will be included in the public version ofthe official record without prior notice. If you have any questions about CBI or the proceduresfor claiming CBI, please consult the person listed under FOR FURTHERINFORMATION CONTACT.
III. What Action is the Agency Taking?
EPA is making available to the public the risk assessments that have been developed aspart of EPA's process for tolerance reassessment and reregistration. While there is no formalpublic comment period, the Agency will accept comments on the risk assessment documents.Comments submitted within the first 30 days are most likely to be considered. REDs forpesticides developed under the interim process will be made available for public comment.
EPA and USDA have been using a pilot public participation process for theassessment of organophosphate pesticides since August 1998. In considering how to accomplishthe movement from the current pilot being used for the organophosphate pesticides to the publicparticipation process that will be used in the future for non-organophosphates, such asvinclozolin, EPA and USDA have adopted an interim public participation process forthe non-organophosphate pesticides scheduled for tolerance reassessment and reregistration in2000. The interim public participation process ensures public access to the Agency's riskassessments while also allowing EPA to meet its reregistration commitments. The interim publicparticipation process for the non-organophosphate pesticides scheduled for tolerancereassessment and reregistration in 2000 and 2001 takes into account that the risk assessmentdevelopment work on these pesticides is substantially complete. The interim public participationprocess involves: A registrant error correction period; a period for the Agency to respond to theregistrant's error comments; the release of the refined risk assessments and risk characterizationsto the public via the docket and EPA's internet website; a significant effort on stakeholderconsultations, such as meetings and conference calls; and the issuance of the risk managementdocument (i.e., RED) after the consideration of issues and discussions with stakeholders. USDAplans to hold meetings and conference calls with the public (i.e., interested stakeholders such asgrowers, USDA Cooperative Extension Offices, commodity groups, and other Federalgovernment agencies) to discuss any identified risks and solicit input on risk managementstrategies. EPA will participate in USDA's meetings and conference calls with the public. Thisfeedback will be used to complete the risk management decisions and the RED. EPA plans toconduct a close-out conference call with interested stakeholders to describe the regulatorydecisions presented in the RED. REDs for pesticides developed under the interim process will bemade available for public comment.
Included in the public version of the official record is the Agency's risk assessmentsand related documents for vinclozolin. As additional comments, reviews,and risk assessment modifications become available, these will also be docketed for thepesticides listed in this notice. These risk assessments reflect only the work and analysisconducted as of the time they were produced and it is appropriate that, as new informationbecomes available and/or additional analyses are performed, the conclusions they contain maychange.
List of Subjects
Environmental protection, Chemicals, Pesticides and pests.
Dated: August 11, 2000.
Jack E. Housenger,
Acting Director, Special Review and Reregistration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 00-21082 Filed 8-17-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S