[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: 94-9161]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: April 15, 1994]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-180935; FRL 4774-5]

 

Receipt of Application for Emergency Exemption to use Propazine; 
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 
Colorado Department of Agriculture (hereafter referred to as the 
``Applicant'') to use the pesticide propazine (CAS 139-40-2) to treat 
up to 272,000 acres of sorghum to control various weeds. The Applicant 
proposes the use of a new (unregistered) chemical; therefore, 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-180935,'' should be submitted by mail to: Public 
Response and Program Resource Branch, Field Operations Division 
(7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 
401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. In person, bring comments to: Rm. 
1132, 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. 
1132, Crystal Mall No. 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: Andrea Beard, Registration 
Division (7505W), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW, Washington, DC 20460. Office location 
and telephone number: Floor 6, Crystal Station #1, 2800 Jefferson Davis 
Highway, Arlington, VA, (703) 308-8791.

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 propazine on sorghum to control pigweed. Information in accordance 
with 40 CFR part 166 was submitted as part of this request.
    Sorghum is grown as a rotational crop with cotton and wheat, in 
order to comply with the soil conservation requirements. Propazine, 
which was formerly registered for use on sorghum, was voluntarily 
canceled by the former Registrant, who did not wish to support its re-
registration. The Applicant claims that this has left many sorghum 
growers with no pre-emergent herbicides that will adequately control 
certain broadleaf weeds, especially pigweed. The Applicant states that 
other available herbicides have serious limitations on their use, 
making them unsuitable for control of pigweed in sorghum. The Applicant 
claims that significant economic losses will occur without the 
availability of propazine.
    Although the original Registrant of propazine has decided not to 
support this chemical through re-registration, another company has 
committed to support the data requirements for this use. Propazine was 
once registered for this use, but has now been voluntarily canceled and 
is therefore considered to be a new chemical.
    The Applicant proposes to apply propazine at a maximum rate of 2.3 
lbs. a.i. (4.6 pt. of product) per acre, by ground or air, to a maximum 
of 272,000 acres of sorghum, with one application allowed per crop 
growing season. Therefore, use under this exemption could potentially 
amount to a maximum total of 625,600 lbs. of active ingredient (156,400 
gal. of product). This is the first time that Colorado has applied for 
this use of propazine on sorghum. A request for an exemption for this 
use was also received earlier this year from Oklahoma and is currently 
under EPA review. New Mexico and Texas were recently issued exemptions 
for this use for this growing season, and Texas was issued an exemption 
for this use for last growing season.
    This notice does not constitute a decision by EPA on the 
application itself. The regulations governing section 18 require 
publication of a notice of receipt of an application for a specific 
exemption proposing use of a new chemical (i.e., an active ingredient 
not contained in any currently registered pesticide). Such notice 
provides for opportunity for public comment on the application. 
Accordingly, interested persons may submit written views on this 
subject to the Field Operations Division at the address above.
    The Agency, accordingly, will review and consider all comments 
received during the comment period in determining whether to issue the 
emergency exemption requested by the Colorado Department of 
Agriculture.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests, Crisis exemptions.

    Dated: April 7, 1994.

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

[FR Doc. 94-9161 Filed 4-14-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F