[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 57 (Wednesday, March 25, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 14461-14462] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-7300] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [OPP-181054; FRL 5778-5] Pyriproxyfen and Buprofezin; Receipt of Application for Emergency Exemptions, Solicitation of Public Comment AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: EPA has received specific exemption requests from the Arizona Department of Agriculture (hereafter referred to as the ``Applicant'') to use the insect growth regulators pyriproxyfen (CAS 95737-68-1) and buprofezin (CAS 69327-76-0) to treat up to 430,000 acres of cotton to control the sweet potato, or silverleaf whitefly Bemesia species. In the case of pyriproxyfen, the Applicant proposes the first food use of an active ingredient. Buprofezin is an unregistered material, and its proposed use is thus use of a ``new'' 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 April 9, 1998. ADDRESSES: Three copies of written comments, bearing the identification notation ``OPP-181054,'' should be submitted by mail to: Public Information and Records Integrity Branch, Information Resources and Services Division (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. In person, bring comments to: Rm. 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA. Comments and data may also be submitted electronically to: opp- [email protected]. Follow the instruction 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 submitted for inclusion in the public record. Information not marked confidential may be included in the public record by EPA without prior notice. The public docket is available for public inspection in Rm. 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: Andrea Beard, Registration Division (7505C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. Office location, telephone number and e-mail: Rm. 267, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA, (703-308-9356); 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 pyriproxyfen [[Page 14462]] and buprofezin on cotton to control the sweet potato, or silverleaf whitefly (SLW). Information in accordance with 40 CFR part 166 was submitted as part of this request. The Applicant states that a new strain or possibly a new species, of whitefly, often referred to as the strain B of sweet potato whitefly, or silverleaf whitefly (SLW), has been a major pest of cotton in Arizona since the early 1990s, and since that time, has caused extensive damage to cotton and vegetable crops. The Applicant claims that adequate control of the SLW is not being achieved with currently registered products and alternative cultural practices. The Applicant points out that large populations of whitefly have demonstrated resistance to available insecticidal control. The Applicant indicates that one application of either one or the other of the requested chemicals would not provide adequate control throughout the season, and since application of either would be limited to one, is requesting the use of both materials. The Applicant indicates that without adequate control of the SLW in cotton, significant economic losses will be suffered. The Applicant proposes to apply pyriproxyfen at a rate of 0.054 lb. active ingredient (a.i.) per acre with a maximum of one application per crop season on up to 430,000 acres of cotton. The Applicant proposes to apply buprofezin at a rate of 0.35 lb., a.i. per acre with a maximum of one application per crop season on up to 430,000 acres of cotton. Therefore, use under these exemptions could potentially amount to a maximum total of 23,200 lbs. of pyriproxyfen and 150,500 lbs. of buprofezin. 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 in the Federal Register for an application for a specific exemption proposing the first food use of an active ingredient, or for use of a new (unregistered) chemical. 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 control number [OPP- 181054] (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 official notice record is located at the address in ``ADDRESSES'' at the beginning of this document. Electronic comments can be sent directly to EPA at: opp- [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 5.1/6.1 or ASCII file format. All comments and data in electronic form must be identified by the docket number [OPP-181054]. 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 Arizona Department of Agriculture. List of Subjects Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests, Emergency exemptions. Dated: March 12, 1998 James Jones, Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs. [FR Doc. 98-7300 Filed 3-24-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-F