[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 53 (Wednesday, March 19, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13005-13006]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-6655]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-181037; FRL 5593-8]
Dimethomorph; Receipt of Application for Emergency Exemption,
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 Florida
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (hereafter referred to
as the ``Applicant'') to use the pesticide dimethomorph (CAS 110488-70-
5) to treat up to 7,250 acres of tobacco to control metalaxyl-resistant
blue mold.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 April 3, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Three copies of written comments, bearing the identification
notation ``OPP-181037,'' 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.
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 also be
accepted on disks in WordPerfect in 5.1 file format or ASCII file
format. All comments and data in electronic form must be identified by
the docket number [OPP-181037]. No Confidential Business Information
(CBI) should be submitted through e-mail. Electronic comments on this
proposed rule may be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries.
Additional information on electronic submissions can be found below in
this document.
Information submitted in any comment concerning this notice 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 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 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except legal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: Libby Pemberton, Registration
Division (7505W), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental
Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. Office
location, telephone number and e-mail: Floor 6, Crystal Station #1,
2800 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA, (703) 308-8326; e-mail:
[email protected].
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 dimethomorph on tobacco to control blue mold. Information in
accordance with 40 CFR part 166 was submitted as part of this request.
In 1995 and 1996 a national epidemic of tobacco blue mold, caused
by metalaxyl-resistant strains of the pathogen, occurred. Resistant
strains are becoming more widely disseminated, a situation which is
exacerbated with a protracted wet weather pattern. Previously, blue
mold was controlled primarily by treatment with metalaxyl, with
significant assistance from ferbam and mancozeb. A very high level of
control was possible with these materials until metalaxyl-resistant
strains appeared. Labeled pesticides made under ideal spray conditions
but high disease pressure do not provide acceptable economic levels of
control.
The Applicant states that presently, there are no fungicides
registered in the U.S. that will provide adequate control of the
metalaxyl-resistant strains of blue mold. The Applicant states that
dimethomorph has been shown to be effective against these strains of
blue mold. Dimethomorph holds current registrations throughout many
European countries. The Applicant estimates that losses in 1997 could
be greater than $7 million without use of dimethomorph. Under
appropriate conditions, it is possible that this disease could develop
to epidemic proportions, causing major changes and losses to the U.S.
tobacco industry.
The Applicant proposes to apply dimethomorph at a maximum rate of
0.225 lbs. a.i. (2.5 lbs. of product) per acre, by ground with a
maximum of 5 applications per crop, to a maximum of 7,250 acres of
tobacco.
This notice does not constitute a decision by EPA on the
application. 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.
A record has been established for this notice under docket number
[OPP-181037] (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 Room 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:
opp-D[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
[[Page 13006]]
official record which will also include all comments submitted directly
in writing. The official rulemaking record is the paper record
maintained at the address in ``ADDRESSES'' at the beginning of this
document.
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 Florida Department of Agriculture
and Consumer Services.
Dated: March 5, 1997.
Stephen L. Johnson,
Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 97-6655 Filed 3-18-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F