[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 16, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5998]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 16, 1994]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPP-180926; FRL 4765-4]

 

Receipt of Application for Emergency Exemption to use Avermectin; 
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 Idaho, 
Oregon and Washington Departments of Agriculture (hereafter referred to 
as the ``Applicants'') for use of the pesticide Avermectin (EPA Reg. 
No. 618-98) to control Tetranychus urticae (Two-spotted spider mite) on 
up to 42,000 acres of Hops. 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 March 31, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Three copies of written comments, bearing the identification 
notation ``OPP-180926,'' 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: Lawrence Fried, Registration 
Division (7505W), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, D.C. 20460. Office 
location and telephone number: 6th Floor, Crystal Station I, 2800 
Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202, (703) 308-8328.

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 Applicants have 
requested the Administrator to issue specific exemptions for the use of 
the miticide/insecticide, avermectin, available as Agrimek 0.15EC (EPA 
Reg. No. 618-98) from Merck and Company, Incorporated, to control the 
Two-spotted spider mite (TSSM), in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. 
Information in accordance with 40 CFR part 166 was submitted as part of 
this request.
    According to the Applicants, the TSSM is a serious pest problem in 
hop yards. The TSSM's rapid reproduction cycle results in a significant 
expansion of their population size. With such a high fecundity rate 
stimulated by extended hot, dry weather conditions, it takes only a 
short period of time for mites to reach injurious densities resulting 
in reduced plant vigor, yields and the discoloration of hop cones which 
decreases product quality. This reduction in quality can result in 
rejection by brewers, the major buyers of hops, and severely impacts 
hop growers economically. The Applicants claim that none of the 
registered pesticides are effective against the TSSM and that, without 
an effective control, growers will incur significant economic losses 
during the 1994 growing season.
    Under the proposed exemption a maximum of 10,500 gallons of 
formulated product could be used if conditions conducive to mite 
propagation occur during the growing season. A 14-day pre-harvest 
interval will be observed. In addition, livestock would not be grazed 
in treated hop yards. Applications would be made between April 15 and 
September 20, 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 avermectin on hops have been requested and granted for 
the past 3 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 exemptions 
requested by the Idaho, Oregon and Washington Departments of 
Agriculture.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests, Crisis exemptions.

    Dated: March 4, 1994.

Stephanie R. Irene,
Acting Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.

[FR Doc. 94-5998 Filed 3-15-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F