[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 83 (Wednesday, April 30, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23447-23448]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-11153]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPP-00465A; FRL-5712-5]


Department of Defense Plan for Certification of Pesticide 
Applicators

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of Approval of Certification Plan.

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SUMMARY: On February 12, 1997, EPA announced its intention to approve 
the revised Department of Defense (DOD) Certification Plan for 
restricted use pesticide applicators. The revised plan reflects changes 
in their administrative procedures and adoption of several new 
subcategories of certification. The February 12, 1997 Notice solicited 
comments on the revised DOD Plan. One comment was received which 
supported the addition of categories within the DOD Plan and asked if 
DOD certified applicators are required to obtain state licenses. DOD 
certified applicators are not required to obtain additional state 
certification or licenses while engaged in the performance of their 
official duties on DOD land or property. No further comments were 
received and EPA therefore approves the DOD Certification Plan.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert V. Bielarski, Office of 
Pesticide Programs (7506C), Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., 
SW., Washington, DC 20460. Office location, telephone number, and e-
mail address: Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Rm. 1121, 
Arlington, VA, Telephone: (703) 305-6708, e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Availability: Electronic copies of this document and the 
revised DOD pesticide applicator certification plan are available from 
the EPA home page at the Environmental Sub-Set entry for this document 
under ``Regulations'' (http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/).
    In the Federal Register of February 12, 1997 (62 FR 6520) (FRL-
5581-3), notice was published of the intent of the EPA Assistant 
Administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, to 
approve the revised DOD plan for the certification of its employees to 
apply or supervise the application of restricted use pesticides in the 
performance of their official duties. The revised DOD plan updated 
administrative procedures and added the following new pest control 
subcategories: (1) Subcategory 3a., soil fumigation, under the existing 
ornamental and turf category, (2) subcategory 6a., grassland and non-
crop agricultural land, under the existing right-of-way category, and 
(3) subcategory 7a., stored product fumigation, under the existing 
industrial, institutional, structural and health-related category. The 
revised DOD plan will retain the aerial application category. The 
remaining categories are similar to established EPA categories. The DOD 
competency standards for each category meet the requirements contained 
in the corresponding EPA standards at 40 CFR 171.4(c).
    The comment period for the proposed plan ended March 14, 1997. One 
comment was received from a State Department of Agriculture which 
supported the DOD decision to add new subcategories within the DOD plan 
and asked if DOD applicators were required to obtain other state 
licenses. The DOD Plan only applies to DOD employees applying any 
pesticides on DOD land or property under the jurisdiction of the 
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). DOD 
employees who are certified in accordance with the Plan may, without 
obtaining any additional state certification, use and supervise the use 
of restricted use pesticides while engaged in the performance of their 
official duties. In infrequent instances when DOD employees will be 
required to apply pesticides on other than DOD property, they will work 
under the supervision of appropriately certified state or federal 
personnel. The DOD

[[Page 23448]]

plan also includes adequate provisions for DOD cooperation with state 
agencies on issues of mutual concern.
    Employees of commercial firms, contracting to apply pesticides for 
DOD components, will not be DOD certified but must be certified by the 
appropriate regulatory authority under the provisions of EPA-approved 
plans.
    The DOD certification program will continue to be administered by 
the Armed Forces Pest Management Board within the Office of the 
Secretary of Defense. Certification and recertification will require 
the taking and passing of a written examination. Recertification will 
be required every 3 years.
    This notice announces EPA's approval of the revised DOD Pesticide 
Applicator Certification Plan.
    Copies of the approved DOD plan are available for review at the 
following locations during normal business hours:
    1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pesticide 
Programs, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Room 1121, 
Arlington, VA 22202. Contact: Robert V. Bielarski, (703) 305-6708.
    2. U.S. Department of Defense, Armed Forces Pest Management Board, 
Forest Glen Section, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC 
30307-5001. Contact: Major Charles E. Cannon, (301) 295-7476/77.
    3. Select U.S. Department of Defense installations. Contact Major 
Cannon at the aforementioned location for a list of locations.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Certified pesticide applicators.

    Dated: April 18, 1997.
Lynn R. Goldman,
Assistant Administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic 
Substances.

[FR Doc. 97-11153 Filed 4-29-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F