[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 92 (Wednesday, May 13, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 26591]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12721]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPP-50840; FRL-5789-2]


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 from DuPont Agricultural 
Products of a notification (352-NMP-A) of intent to conduct small-scale 
field testing involving baculoviruses, which have been genetically 
engineered to express synthetic genes which encode for an insect-
specific toxin. The tests will be small-scale and will not involve more 
than a cumulative total of 10 acres per pest per year. Any food or feed 
crops shall be destroyed or consumed only by experimental animals. 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. Q02
Dates: Written comments must be received on or before June 12, 1998.

ADDRESSES: By mail, submit written comments 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, deliver comments to: 
Rm. 1119, CM #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA.
    Comments and data may also be submitted electronically to: opp-
[email protected]. Follow the instructions under Unit II. of this 
document. No Confidential Business Information (CBI) should be 
submitted through e-mail.
    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 will be included in the 
public docket by EPA without prior notice. The public docket is 
available for public inspection in Rm. 1119 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, PM 90, 
Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division (7511W), Office of 
Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., 
Washington, DC 20460. Office location, telephone number, and e-mail 
address: 5th floor CS1 2800 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA, (703) 308-
8683, e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice of receipt of this notification does 
not imply a decision by the Agency on this notification.
    EPA received a notification from DuPont Agricultural Products of 
Delaware (352-NMP-A). The proposed small-scale field trials involve the 
introduction of genetically engineered isolates of nuclear polyhedrosis 
baculoviruses, which have been genetically engineered to express a 
synthetic gene which encodes for an insect-specific toxin. The purpose 
of the proposed testing will be to assess and compare the efficacy of 
formulated and unformulated genetically engineered constructs, 
formulated and unformulated wild type nuclear polyhedrosis 
baculoviruses, and various controls against agriculture pest insects. 
These tests are similar to testing previously approved by EPA in 1996 
(notification 352-NMP-4) and 1997 (notification 352-NMP-5). Following 
review of DuPont's notification and any comments received in response 
to this notice, EPA may approve the tests, 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 tests proceed 
until the submitter has received notice from EPA of its approval of 
such tests.

II. Public Record and Electronic Submissions

    The official record for this document, as well as the public 
version, has been established for this document under docket control 
number ``OPP-50840'' (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 record is located at the Virginia address in 
``ADDRESSES'' at the beginning of this document.
    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. Comment 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 control number ``OPP-508040.'' Electronic comments on this 
proposed rule may be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries.

    Dated: April 29, 1998.
Kathleen F. Knox,
Acting Director, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division, 
Office of Pesticide Programs.

[FR Doc. 98-12721 Filed 5-12-98; 8:45 am]
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