[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 12 (Wednesday, January 19, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-1238]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: January 19, 1994]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-180915; FRL 4753-6]

 

Receipt of Application for Emergency Exemption to use Iprodione; 
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 Georgia 
Department of Agriculture (hereafter referred to as the ``Applicant'') 
for use of the pesticide iprodione (CAS 36734-19-7) to control target 
spot on up to 940 acres of tobacco transplants in Georgia. 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 February 3, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Three copies of written comments, bearing the identification 
notation ``OPP-180915,'' should be submitted by mail to: Public 
Response and Human Resource Branch, Field Operations Division (7506C), 
Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M 
St., SW., Washington, D.C. 20460. In person, bring comments to: Rm. 
1128, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA.
    Information submitted in any comment concerning this notice may be 
claimed confidential by marking any part or all of that information as 
``Confidential Business Information.'' 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 Confidential 
Business Information must be provided by the submitter for inclusion in 
the public record. Information not marked confidential may be disclosed 
publicly by EPA without prior notice. All written comments filed 
pursuant to this notice will be available for public inspection in Rm. 
1128, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA, 
from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except legal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: Susan Stanton, Registration 
Division (7505W), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC. 20460. Office 
location and telephone number: 6th Floor, Crystal Station I, 2800 
Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202 (703-308-8327).

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 the fungicide, iprodione, available as Rovral 
4 Flowable Fungicide (EPA Reg. No. 264-482) and Rovral Fungicide (EPA 
Reg. No. 264-453) from Rhone Poulenc Ag Company, to control target 
spot, caused by Rhizoctonia solani, on up to 940 acres of tobacco 
transplants in Georgia. Information in accordance with 40 CFR part 166 
was submitted as part of this request.
    According to the Applicant, target spot became a statewide disease 
problem on flue-cured tobacco for the first time in 1991. Under 
conditions conducive to disease development, the disease may cause 
serious losses in transplant beds and field tobacco plantings. Growers 
who raise their own transplants could be faced with a shortage or 
complete lack of planting material if a severe outbreak occurs, since 
other sources of planting material are generally not available unless 
contracted for prior to the growing season. Also, the disease may 
spread to the field and cause tobacco yield losses if transplants 
become infected. The Applicant claims that none of the registered 
pesticides is effective against this disease and that, without an 
effective control, growers will incur a significant economic loss 
during the 1994 growing season.
    Applications would be made under the proposed exemption at 0.5 to 
1.0 pound of active ingredient per acre of transplants in plant beds 
and greenhouses. Applications would begin when watersoaked spots first 
appear on leaves and be repeated 7 to 14 days later if conditions are 
favorable for disease development. A maximum of 3.0 pounds of active 
ingredient per acre would be applied per year. Applications would be 
made between February 1, 1994 and May 1, 1994.
    This notice does not constitute a decision by EPA on the 
application itself. The regulations governing section 18 require that 
the Agency publish notice of receipt in the Federal Register and 
solicit public comment on an application for a specific exemption if an 
emergency exemption has been requested or granted for that use in any 3 
previous years, and a complete application for registration of that use 
has not been submitted to the Agency [40 CFR 166.24 (a)(6)]. Exemptions 
for the use of iprodione on tobacco transplants have been requested and 
granted for the past three years, and an application for registration 
of this use has not been submitted to the Agency.
    Accordingly, interested persons may submit written views on this 
subject to the Field Operations Division at the address above. The 
Agency will review and consider all comments received during the 
comment period in determining whether to issue the emergency exemption 
requested by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Pesticide and pests, Crisis exemptions.

    Dated: January 6, 1994.

Stephen L. Johnson,
Acting Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.

[FR Doc. 94-1238 Filed 1-18-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F