[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 73 (Friday, April 15, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-9160]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: April 15, 1994]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-180932; FRL 4771-7]

 

Receipt of Application for Emergency Exemption to use Fomesafen; 
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 
Arkansas State Plant Board (hereafter referred to as the ``Applicant'') 
for use of the pesticide Fomesafen (EPA Reg. No. 10182-83) to control 
broadleaf weeds on up to 1,000 acres of snap beans in Arkansas. 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 May 2, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Three copies of written comments, bearing the identification 
notation ``OPP-180932,'' 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: Larry 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 Applicant has requested the Administrator to issue a specific 
exemption for the use of the herbicide, fomesafen, available as Reflex 
2LC (EPA Reg. No. 10182-83) from Zeneca Inc., to control broadleaf 
weeds. Information in accordance with 40 CFR part 166 was submitted as 
part of this request.
    According to the Applicant, infestations of broadleaf weeds have 
caused serious yield reductions in snap bean fields in Arkansas. 
Cultural practices and the use of registered alternative herbicides 
have proven ineffective in controlling a variety of broadleaf weed 
species. Bean crop yields have significantly declined and the incidence 
of weed contamination in the final product has increased steadily since 
the loss of the herbicide Premerge (dinoseb) in 1987.
    Under the proposed exemption a maximum of two ground applications 
could be applied. Maximum use of fomesafen would not exceed 1.5 pints 
of formulated product/A (0.375 lb. a.i./A per year). A maximum of 188 
gallons of formulated product (375 lbs. a.i.) could be applied in 1994 
on up to 1,000 acres of spring and fall crop snap beans. Applications 
would be made between April 31 and September 10, 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 fomesafen on snap beans 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 exemption 
requested by the Arkansas State Plant Board.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests, Crisis exemptions.

    Dated: April 1, 1994.

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

[FR Doc. 94-9160 Filed 4-14-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F