[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 128 (Thursday, July 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 36066]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-17481]



[[Page 36066]]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPP-181048; FRL 5728-1]


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 specific exemption requests from the Georgia 
Department of Agriculture (hereafter referred to as the ``Applicant'') 
to use the pesticide dimethomorph (CAS 110488-0-5) to treat up to 
93,500 acres of peppers, squash, cantaloupes, watermelons, tomatoes, 
and cucumbers to control crown rot. 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 exemptions.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 18, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Three copies of written comments, bearing the identification 
notation ``OPP-181048,'' should be submitted by mail to: Public 
Information and Records Integrity Branch, Information Resources and 
Services 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 following 
the instructions under ``SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.'' No Confidential 
Business Information (CBI) should be submitted through e-mail.
    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 #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 (7505C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. Office 
location, telephone number and e-mail: Floor 2, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 
Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA, (703) 308-9364; 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 specific exemptions for the use of 
dimethomorph on peppers, squash, cantaloupes, watermelons, tomatoes, 
and cucumbers to control crown rot. Information in accordance with 40 
CFR part 166 was submitted as part of these requests.
    Crown rot Phytophthora capsici is believed to have been introduced 
to the state of Georgia by hurricane Alberto in July of 1994. The 
Applicant states that presently, there are no fungicides registered in 
the U.S. that will provide adequate control of crown rot. The Applicant 
states that dimethomorph has been shown to be effective against crown 
rot. Dimethomorph holds current registrations throughout many European 
countries. The Applicant estimates that losses in 1997 could reach 
several hundred million dollars without use of dimethomorph. Under 
appropriate conditions, it is possible that this disease could develop 
to epidemic proportions.
    The Applicant proposes to apply dimethomorph at a maximum rate of 
0.225 lbs. active ingredient (a.i.,) [(2.5 lb. of product)] per acre, 
by ground or air, with a maximum of 5 applications per crop, to a 
maximum of 93,500 acres of peppers, squash, cantaloupes, watermelons, 
tomatoes, and cucumbers.
    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.
    The official record for this notice, as well as the public version, 
has been established for this notice under docket number [OPP-181048] 
(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 4:30 
p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The official 
notice record is the paper record maintained at the address in 
``ADDRESSES'' at the beginning of this document.
    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. Comment and data 
will also be accepted on disks in Wordperfect 5.1 file format or ASCII 
format. All comments and data in electronic form must be identified by 
the docket number [OPP-181048]. Electronic comments on this notice may 
be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries.
    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 Georgia Department of Agriculture.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Emergency exemptions, Pesticides and 
pests.

    Dated: June 25, 1997.

James Jones,
Acting Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.

[FR Doc. 97-17481 Filed 7-2-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F