[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 48 (Wednesday, March 12, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11453-11454]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-6208]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-50827; FRL-5595-2]


Receipt of a Notification to Conduct Small-Scale Field Testing of 
a Genetically Engineered Microbial Pesticide

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt of a notification (352-NMP-L) of 
intent to conduct small-scale field testing involving a baculovirus, 
Autographa californica Multiple Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (AcMNPV), 
which has been genetically engineered to express a synthetic gene which 
encodes for an insect-specific toxin from the scorpion Leiurus 
quinquestriatus hebraeus. Dupont intends to test this microbial 
pesticide on leafy vegetables in six states. Target pests for these 
field trials include: the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni, and the 
diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. The Agency has determined that 
the notification may be of regional and national significance. 
Therefore, in accordance with 40 CFR 172.11(a), the Agency is 
soliciting public comments on this notification.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to EPA by April 11, 1997.

ADDRESSES: By mail, submit written comments identified by the docket 
control number [OPP-50827] to: Public Response and Program Resources 
Branch, Field Operations Divisions (7506C), Office of Pesticide 
Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, 
DC 20460. In person, bring comments to: Environmental Protection 
Agency, Rm. 1132, CM #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA.
    Comments and data may also be submitted electronically by sending 
electronic mail (e-mail) to: [email protected]. Electronic 
comments must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the use of special 
characters and any form of encryption. Comments and data will be 
accepted on disks in Wordperfect 5.1 file format or ASCII file format. 
All comments and data in electronic form must be identified by the 
docket control number [OPP-50827]. No Confidential Business Information 
(CBI) should be submitted through e-mail. Electronic comments on this 
notice may be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries. 
Additional information on electronic submissions can be found below in 
this document.
    Information submitted as a comment concerning this document may be 
claimed confidential by marking any part or all of that information as 
CBI. 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 CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public 
record. Information not marked confidential may be disclosed publicly 
by EPA without prior notice. All written comments will be available for 
public inspection in Rm. 1132 at the Virginia address given above from 
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William R. Schneider, Biopesticides 
and Pollution Prevention Division (7501W), Office of Pesticide 
Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, 
DC 20460. Office location, telephone number, and e-mail address: 5th 
Floor, CS #1, 2805 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA, (703) 308-8683, 
e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA received a notification from DuPont 
Agricultural Products of Delaware (352-NMP-L). The proposed small-scale 
field trial involves the introduction of a genetically engineered 
isolate of the baculovirus, Autographa californica Multiple Nuclear 
Polyhedrosis Virus (AcMNPV), which has been genetically engineered to 
express a synthetic gene which encodes for an insect-specific toxin 
from the venom of the scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus hebraeus.
    The purpose of the proposed testing will be to assess and compare 
the efficacy of formulated and unformulated genetically engineered 
construct, formulated and unformulated wild type AcMNPV, and various 
controls against the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni, and the 
diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. The proposed program will be 
conducted in spring 1997, and will consist of one trial per site. There 
will be one site per state in Georgia (0.12 acres), Florida (0.25 
acres), Mississippi (0.12 acres), California (0.12 acres), Texas (0.37 
acres), and Illinois (0.37 acres). The total amount of AcMNPV for all 
of the testing will not exceed 2.2E13 occlusion bodies for each of the 
viruses tested. The test sites will either be 2 rows or 4 rows wide and 
50 feet long.

[[Page 11454]]

On completion of the test, the genetically engineered AcMNPV treated 
plants will remain standing for at least 2 weeks prior to shredding, 
mowing, and plowing under. Following review of DuPont's notification 
and any comments received in response to this notice, EPA may approve 
the test, ask for additional data, require additional modifications to 
the test protocols, or require an Experimental Use Permit application 
to be submitted. In accordance with 40 CFR 172.50, under no 
circumstances shall the proposed test proceed until the submitter has 
received notice from EPA of its approval of such test.
    A record has been established for this notice under docket control 
number [OPP-50827] (including comments and data submitted 
electronically as described below). A public version of this record, 
including printed, paper versions of electronic comments, which does 
not include any information claimed as CBI, is available for inspection 
from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal 
holidays. The public record is located in Rm. 1132 of the Public 
Response and Program Resources Branch, Field Operations Division 
(7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 
Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA.
    Electronic comments can be sent directly to EPA at:
    [email protected]
    Electronic comments must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the 
use of special characters and any form of encryption.
    The official record for this notice, as well as the public version, 
as described above will be kept in paper form. Accordingly, EPA will 
transfer all comments received electronically into printed, paper form 
as they are received and will place the paper copies in the official 
record which will also include all comments submitted directly in 
writing. The official record is the paper record maintained at the 
address in ``ADDRESSES'' at the beginning of this document.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 172

    Environmental protection, Genetically engineered microbial 
pesticides.

    Dated: March 5, 1997.
Janet L. Andersen,
Director, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division, Office of 
Pesticide Programs.

[FR Doc. 97-6208 Filed 3-11-97; 8:45 am]
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