[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 117 (Thursday, June 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33482-33487]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16153]


      

[[Page 33481]]

_______________________________________________________________________

Part IV





Department of





Agriculture





_______________________________________________________________________



Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service



_______________________________________________________________________



Pest Management Alternatives Program: Addressing Food Quality 
Protection Act Issues (FY 1998); Grant Funds Availability and Proposal 
Requests; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 117 / Thursday, June 18, 1998 / 
Notices  

[[Page 33482]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service


Special Research Grants Program--Pest Management Alternatives 
Research: Special Program Addressing Food Quality Protection Act Issues 
for Fiscal Year 1998; Request for Proposals

AGENCY: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, 
USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability of grant funds and request for 
proposals.

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SUMMARY: Proposals are invited for competitive grant awards under the 
Special Research Grants Program titled ``Pest Management Alternatives 
Program: Addressing Food Quality Protection Act Issues for Fiscal Year 
1998.'' This program addresses anticipated changes in pest management 
on food, feed, livestock, and ornamental commodities resulting from 
implementation of the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA), Pub. 
L. No. 104-170.
    The goals of this program are to: (1) Develop commodity profiles 
that summarize production practices, pesticide use/usage data, and 
available pest management alternatives for pesticides considered a high 
priority for tolerance reassessment under FQPA; and (2) Develop and 
demonstrate alternatives and possible mitigation strategies to ensure 
that producers have reliable methods of managing pests.

DATES: Proposals are due July 20, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Proposals sent by First Class mail must be sent to the 
following address: Special Research Grants--Pest Management 
Alternatives; c/o Proposal Services Unit; Office of Extramural 
Programs; Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service; 
U.S. Department of Agriculture; STOP 2245; 1400 Independence Avenue, 
S.W.; Washington, D.C. 20250-2245. Telephone: (202) 401-5048.
    Proposals that are delivered by Express mail, courier service, or 
by hand must be sent to the following address: Special Research 
Grants--Pest Management Alternatives; c/o Proposal Services Unit; 
Office of Extramural Programs; Cooperative State Research, Education, 
and Extension Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture; Room 303, 
Aerospace Center; 901 D Street, S.W.; Washington, D.C. 20024. 
Telephone: (202) 401-5048.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Fitzner, Cooperative State 
Research, Education, and Extension Service; U.S. Department of 
Agriculture; STOP 2220; 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.; Washington, 
D.C. 20250-2220. Telephone: (202) 401-4939; fax number: (202) 401-6156; 
e-mail address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

Authority and Eligibility
Available Funding and Eligibility
Applicable Regulations
Program Description
Proposal Format
Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act
Proposal Evaluation
Confidentiality
How to Obtain Application Materials
Proposal Submission
Additional Information
Appendix I
Appendix II
Appendix III

Authority and Eligibility

    This program is administered by the Cooperative State Research, 
Education, and Extension Service (CSREES), United States Department of 
Agriculture (USDA). The authority is contained in section 2(c)(1)(A) of 
the Act of August 4, 1965, Pub. L. No. 89-106, as amended (7 U.S.C. 
450i(c)(1)(A)). Under this authority, subject to the availability of 
funds, the Secretary may make grants, for periods not to exceed five 
years, to State agricultural experiment stations, all colleges and 
universities, other research institutions and organizations, Federal 
agencies, private organizations or corporations, and individuals for 
the purpose of conducting research to facilitate or expand promising 
breakthroughs in areas of the food and agricultural sciences of 
importance to the United States.
    Proposals from scientists affiliated with non-United States 
organizations are not eligible for funding nor are scientists who are 
directly or indirectly engaged in the registration of pesticides for 
profit; however, their collaboration with funded projects is 
encouraged.
    The Pest Management Alternatives Program was established to support 
the development and implementation of pest management alternatives when 
regulatory action by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or 
voluntary cancellation by the registrant results in the unavailability 
of certain agricultural pesticides or pesticide uses. The program was 
created to meet the policy goals set forth in sections 1439 and 1484 of 
the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990, Pub. L. No. 
101-624. These activities pertain to pesticides identified for possible 
regulatory action under section 210 of the Food Quality Protection Act 
of 1996, which amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and 
Rodenticide Act. The program has been developed pursuant to the 
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between USDA and EPA signed August 
15, 1994, and amended April 18, 1996, which establishes a coordinated 
framework for these two agencies to support programs that make 
alternative pest management materials available to agricultural 
producers when regulatory action by EPA or voluntary cancellation by 
the registrant results in the unavailability of certain agricultural 
pesticides or pesticide uses. In this MOU, USDA and EPA agreed to 
cooperate in conducting the research, technology transfer, and 
registration activities necessary to ensure adequate pest management 
alternatives are available to meet important agricultural needs for 
situations in which regulatory action would result in pest management 
problems. Any proposal meeting the criteria under this request for 
proposals will be considered for funding provided the eligibility 
requirements are met.

Available Funding and Eligibility

    The amount available for support of this program in fiscal year 
(FY) 1998 is approximately $1,500,000. It is anticipated that EPA will 
provide $124,000 in support of Objective 1. Section 712 of the 
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and 
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998, Pub. L. No. 105-86, 
prohibits CSREES from paying indirect costs on competitively awarded 
research grants that exceed 14 percent of total Federal funds provided 
for each award under this program. In addition, section 716(b) of that 
Act directs that, in the case of any equipment or product that may be 
authorized to be purchased with funds under this program, entities 
receiving such grant funds are encouraged to use such funds to purchase 
only American-made equipment or products.

Applicable Regulations

    This program is subject to the administrative provisions for the 
Special Research Grants Program found in 7 CFR Part 3400 (56 FR 58147, 
November 15, 1991), which set forth procedures to be followed when 
submitting grant proposals, rules governing the evaluation of 
proposals, the processes regarding the awarding of grants, and 
regulations relating to the post-award administration of such grants. 
Other Federal statutes and regulations apply to grant proposals 
considered for review or to grants

[[Page 33483]]

awarded under this program. These include, but are not limited to:
    7 CFR Part 3019--USDA Uniform Administrative Requirements for 
Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, 
and Other Non-Profit Organizations; and
    7 CFR Part 3052--Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-
Profit Organizations.

Program Description

    This competitive grants program supports efforts to modify existing 
pest management approaches or develop new methods that address needs 
created by the implementation of FQPA. The program also addresses the 
need for collection of information for regulatory decision making and 
for prioritization of research and education needs. This information 
includes pesticide use and usage on commodities (including livestock 
and ornamentals), potential alternatives for pesticides on EPA's 
priority list (see Appendix I), integrated pest management programs, 
pesticide resistance management strategies, and potential mitigation 
strategies for reducing dietary risk.
    In FY 1998, CSREES will provide funding for projects that: (1) 
Develop pest management profiles summarizing practices for specific 
commodities or commodity groups (including livestock and ornamentals), 
and (2) Identify and develop replacement or mitigation technologies for 
pesticides included on EPA's priority list (Appendix I). Proposals must 
either develop Commodity and Pest Management Profiles (Objective 1) or 
develop both Commodity and Pest Management Profiles (Objective 1) and 
replacement or mitigation technologies (Objective 2). Applicants are 
encouraged to collaborate with staff involved in university pesticide 
impact assessment programs and integrated pest management programs to 
develop Commodity and Pest Management Profiles. The two objectives are 
described below.

I. Commodity and Pest Management Profiles

    Profiles are needed for commodities that depend heavily on 
pesticides included on EPA's priority list (see Appendix I and Appendix 
II). Profiles should document the importance of priority pesticides to 
pest management on the commodities addressed by the proposal. Profiles 
should describe the production process and provide data on pesticide 
use (how, why, what, when and where pesticides are used) and usage (how 
much is used, e.g., percentage crop treated) patterns, pest management 
practices used by growers, and pest management practices ready for 
implementation but not yet widely used. Profiles should also indicate 
whether pesticides on the priority list (Appendix I) are important to 
integrated pest management programs or to strategies to manage 
resistance to other pesticides, and whether there are any potential 
labeled or unlabeled alternatives (chemical or nonchemical) to replace 
priority list pesticides on a specific commodity or commodity group. 
Alternatives can include other pesticides, biological controls, pest 
resistant varieties, or cultural practices. In addition, practices or 
procedures that have the potential to mitigate dietary risk from 
priority list pesticides should be described. Pest management profiles 
should follow the format presented in Appendix III. The sources for 
information used in preparing pest management profiles should be 
provided in the ``References'' section. Potentially affected growers or 
commodity groups must be involved in the development of commodity and 
pest management profiles. Profiles must be completed within six months 
after receipt of funding. Priority will be given to proposals 
addressing one or more commodities that depend heavily on pesticides 
included on EPA's priority list (see Appendix I and Appendix II); 
however, proposals addressing commodities not included in the list will 
be considered.

II. Replacement or Mitigation Technologies

    Funding is available to support projects to develop and demonstrate 
pest management alternatives or risk mitigation strategies for one or 
more of the priority pesticides (Appendix I) for which there are few or 
no effective alternatives on any given commodity. The focus should be 
on modification of existing approaches or introduction of new methods, 
especially biologically based methods, that can be rapidly brought to 
bear on pest management challenges resulting from implementation of 
FQPA. Durability and practicality of the proposed pest management 
option(s) or mitigation procedure(s), and compatibility with integrated 
pest management systems, are critical. Both technological and economic 
feasibility should be considered. Pest management alternatives or risk 
mitigation options identified should address various risk concerns 
including dietary, occupational and non-occupational exposure, ground 
and surface water, and other ecological risks.

    Note: The development of replacements for methyl bromide is 
being supported by other funding agencies and will not be supported 
by the Pest Management Alternatives Program.

    Proposals will show evidence that producers, commodity groups, and 
other affected user groups are involved in project design and will be 
supportive of the project if funded. Public-private partnerships and 
matching resources from non-Federal sources, including producer or 
commodity groups, are encouraged. Proposals should show potential for 
commercialization (including product registration if necessary) of any 
new technologies that are developed.

Proposal Format

    Members of review committees and the staff expect each project 
description to be complete in itself. The administrative provisions 
governing the Special Research Grants Program, 7 CFR Part 3400, set 
forth instructions for the preparation of grant proposals. The 
following requirements deviate from those contained in Sec. 3400.4(c). 
The following provisions of this solicitation shall apply. Proposals 
should adhere to the format requirements for the specific objective 
addressed by the proposal format below. Items three through six should 
be no more than 12 pages in length, numbered, and single-spaced with 
text on one side of the page using a 12 point (10 cpi) type font size 
and one-inch margins.
    (1) Application for Funding (Form CSREES-661). All proposals must 
contain an Application for Funding (Form CSREES-661), which must be 
signed by the proposed principal investigator(s) and by the cognizant 
Authorized Organizational Representative who possesses the necessary 
authority to commit the applicant's time and other relevant resources. 
Principal investigators who do not sign the proposal cover sheet will 
not be listed on the grant document in the event an award is made. The 
title of the proposal must be brief (80-character maximum), yet 
represent the major emphasis of the project. Because this title will be 
used to provide information to those who may not be familiar with the 
proposed project, highly technical words or phraseology should be 
avoided where possible. In addition, phrases such as ``investigation 
of'' or ``research on'' should not be used.
    (2) Table of Contents. For ease in locating information, each 
proposal must contain a detailed table of contents just after the 
proposal cover page. The Table of Contents should include page numbers 
for each component of the

[[Page 33484]]

proposal. Pagination should begin immediately following the Table of 
Contents.
    (3) Executive Summary. Describe the project in terms that can be 
understood by a diverse audience of university personnel, producers, 
various public and private groups, budget staff, and the general 
public. This should be on a separate page, no more than one page in 
length and have the following format: Name(s) of principal 
investigator(s) and institutional affiliation, project title, key 
words, and project summary.
    (4) Problem Statement. Identify the pest management problem 
addressed, its significance, and options for solution. Identify the 
commodities (from the commodity list, Appendix II) and the pesticides 
(from the priority list, Appendix I) that will be addressed by the 
proposed project. Proposals can address commodities not listed in 
Appendix II as long as priority pesticides are used in the production 
system. Describe the production area addressed (including acreage), 
frequency and severity of losses to pests controlled with priority 
pesticides (Appendix I), and the potential applicability to other 
production regions (if the proposal addresses Objective 2). Provide 
sources of data and other information on pesticide use, usage patterns, 
and pest management practices. As appropriate, proposals should address 
issues as they relate to current integrated pest management and crop 
production practices, technologic and economic feasibility of potential 
new practices, and their potential durability.
    (5) Objectives. Provide clear, concise, complete, and logically 
arranged statements of the specific aims of the proposed effort.
    (6) Research, Education, and Technology Transfer Plan. This section 
is only needed if the proposed project includes development of 
replacement or mitigation technologies (Objective 2). Proposals should 
provide a detailed plan for the research, education, and technology 
transfer required to implement the alternative solution in the field, 
and should identify milestones.
    (7) User Involvement. Describe role of producers, commodity groups, 
and other end-users in identifying the need for the work being 
proposed, and their anticipated involvement in the project if funded. 
Competitive proposals will demonstrate involvement of affected user 
groups in project design, implementation, and funding.
    (8) Facilities and Equipment. All facilities and major items of 
equipment that are available for use or assignment to the proposed 
research project during the requested period of support should be 
described. In addition, items of nonexpendable equipment necessary to 
conduct and successfully complete the proposed project should be listed 
with the amount and justification for each item.
    (9) Collaborative Arrangements. If the nature of the proposed 
project requires collaboration or subcontractual arrangements with 
other research scientists, corporations, organizations, agencies, or 
entities, the applicant must identify the collaborator(s) and provide a 
full explanation of the nature of the collaboration. Funding 
contributions by collaborators that will be used to accomplish the 
stated objectives should be identified. Evidence (i.e., letters of 
intent) should be provided to assure peer reviewers that the 
collaborators involved have agreed to render this service. In addition, 
the proposal must indicate whether or not such a collaborative 
arrangement(s) has the potential for conflict(s) of interest.
    (10) Personnel Support. To assist peer reviewers in assessing the 
competence and experience of the proposed project staff, key personnel 
who will be involved in the proposed project must be clearly 
identified. For each principal investigator involved, and for all 
senior associates and other professional personnel who are expected to 
work on the project, whether or not funds are sought for their support, 
the following should be included:
    (i) An estimate of the time commitments necessary;
    (ii) Curriculum vitae. The curriculum vitae should be limited to a 
presentation of academic and research credentials, or commodity 
production knowledge or experience with that commodity (e.g., 
educational, employment and professional history, and honors and 
awards). Unless pertinent to the project, to personal status, or to the 
status of the organization, meetings attended, seminars given, or 
personal data such as birth date, marital status, or community 
activities should not be included. Each vitae shall be no more than two 
pages in length, excluding the publication lists; and
    (iii) Publication List(s). A chronological list of all publications 
in refereed journals during the past four years, including those in 
press, must be provided for each professional project member for whom a 
curriculum vitae is provided. Authors should be listed in the same 
order as they appear on each paper cited, along with the title and 
complete reference as these items usually appear in journals.
    (11) Budget. A detailed budget is required for each year of 
requested support. In addition, a summary budget is required detailing 
requested support for the overall project period. A copy of the form 
which must be used for this purpose (Form CSREES-55), along with 
instructions for completion, is included in the Application Kit and may 
be reproduced as needed by applicants. Funds may be requested under any 
of the categories listed, provided that the item or service for which 
support is requested may be identified as necessary for successful 
conduct of the proposed project, is allowable under applicable Federal 
cost principles, and is not prohibited under any applicable Federal 
statute. However, the recovery of indirect costs under this program may 
not exceed the lesser of the grantee institution's official negotiated 
indirect cost rate or the equivalent of 14 percent of total Federal 
funds awarded. This limitation also applies to the recovery of indirect 
costs by any subawardee or subcontractor, and should be reflected in 
the subrecipient budget.

    Note: For projects awarded under the authority of Sec. 
2(c)(1)(A) of Pub. L. No. 89-106, no funds will be awarded for the 
renovation or refurbishment of research spaces; the purchase or 
installation of fixed equipment in such spaces; or for the planning, 
repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of a building 
or facility.

    (12) Research Involving Special Considerations. If it is 
anticipated that the research project will involve recombinant DNA or 
RNA research, experimental vertebrate animals, or human subjects, an 
Assurance Statement, Form CSREES-662, must be completed and included in 
the proposal. Please note that grant funds will not be released until 
CSREES receives and approves documentation indicating approval by the 
appropriate institutional committee(s) regarding DNA or RNA research, 
animal care, or the protection of human subjects, as applicable.
    (13) Current and Pending Support. All proposals must contain Form 
CSREES-663 listing this proposal and any other current public or 
private research support (including in-house support) to which key 
personnel identified in the proposal have committed portions of their 
time, whether or not salary support for the person(s) involved is 
included in the budget. Analogous information must be provided for any 
pending proposals that are being considered by, or that will be 
submitted in the near future to, other possible sponsors, including 
other USDA programs or agencies. Concurrent submission of identical or 
similar proposals to other possible sponsors

[[Page 33485]]

will not prejudice proposal review or evaluation by the Administrator 
of CSREES for this purpose. However, a proposal that duplicates or 
overlaps substantially with a proposal already reviewed and funded (or 
that will be funded) by another organization or agency will not be 
funded under this program.
    (14) Additions to Project Description. The Administrator of CSREES, 
the members of peer review groups, and the relevant program staff 
expect each project description to be complete while meeting the page 
limit established in this section (Proposal Format). However, if the 
inclusion of additional information is necessary to ensure the 
equitable evaluation of the proposal (e.g., photographs that do not 
reproduce well, reprints, and other pertinent materials that are deemed 
to be unsuitable for inclusion in the text of the proposal), then 14 
copies of the materials should be submitted. Each set of such materials 
must be identified with the name of the submitting organization, and 
the name(s) of the principal investigator(s). Information may not be 
appended to a proposal to circumvent page limitations prescribed for 
the project description. Extraneous materials will not be used during 
the peer review process.

    Note: Specific organizational management information relating to 
an applicant shall be submitted on a one-time basis prior to the 
award of a grant for this program if such information has not been 
provided previously under this or another program for which the 
sponsoring agency is responsible. If necessary, USDA will contact an 
applicant to request organizational management information once a 
proposal has been recommended for funding.

Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act

    As outlined in 7 CFR Part 3407 (CSREES's implementation of the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq.)), the environmental data or documentation for any 
proposed project is to be provided to CSREES in order to assist CSREES 
in carrying out its responsibilities under NEPA. In some cases, 
however, the preparation of environmental data or documentation may not 
be required. Certain categories of actions are excluded from the 
requirements of NEPA. The USDA and CSREES exclusions are listed in 7 
CFR 1b.3 and 7 CFR 3407.6, respectively.
    In order for CSREES to determine whether any further action is 
needed with respect to NEPA (e.g., preparation of an environmental 
assessment (EA) or environmental impact statement (EIS)), pertinent 
information regarding the possible environmental impacts of a proposed 
project is necessary; therefore, the National Environmental Policy Act 
Exclusions Form (Form CSREES-1234) provided in the Application Kit must 
be included in the proposal indicating whether the applicant is of the 
opinion that the project falls within one or more of the categorical 
exclusions. Form CSREES-1234 should follow Form CSREES-661, Application 
for Funding, in the proposal.
    Even though a project may fall within the categorical exclusions, 
CSREES may determine that an EA or an EIS is necessary for an activity, 
if substantial controversy on environmental grounds exists or if other 
extraordinary conditions or circumstances are present that may cause 
such activity to have a significant environmental effect.

Proposal Evaluation

    Priority will be given to proposals that address one or more of the 
commodities listed in Appendix II; however, proposals addressing 
commodities not included in this list will be considered. Proposals 
will be evaluated for relevancy (Criterion 1, 25 points) by 
representatives from USDA, EPA, appropriate farm and commodity 
organizations, and consumer groups. Methodology and scientific rigor 
(Criteria 2-6, 75 points) will be evaluated by panel with appropriate 
IPM and pesticide expertise. Panel members will include representatives 
with appropriate science backgrounds from land-grant universities 
(including IPM, IR-4, and the National Agricultural Pesticide Impact 
Assessment Program), USDA, EPA, and other organizations as appropriate. 
Funding determinations will be made by the Administrator of CSREES, in 
consultation with the Administrator of EPA or her designee, based on 
technical merit and targeted need areas.
    Proposals that will only develop Crop and Pest Management Profiles 
(Objective 1) will be evaluated as a separate group, and will not be 
scored on potential to reduce reliance (Criterion 4).
    The following criteria will be used in evaluating proposals:
    1. Relevance to Program Objectives (25 points)
    2. Importance of the Problem (Problem Statement) (15 points)
    3. Appropriateness of Methods in Meeting Objectives (20 points)
    4. Potential to Reduce Reliance (20 points)
    5. Level of User Involvement (10 points)
    6. Appropriateness of the Budget (10 points)

Confidentiality

    CSREES receives grant proposals in confidence and will protect the 
confidentiality of their contents to the maximum extent permitted by 
law. Information contained in unfunded proposals will remain the 
property of the applicant. However, CSREES will retain one copy of all 
proposals received for a one year period; extra copies will be 
destroyed.
    When a proposal results in a grant, it becomes a part of the public 
record, available to the public upon specific request under the Freedom 
of Information Act (FOIA). Information that the Secretary of 
Agriculture determines to be of a privileged nature will be held in 
confidence to the extent permitted by law. Therefore, any information 
that the applicant wishes to have considered as privileged should be 
clearly marked by the applicant with the term ``confidential 
proprietary information.''

How to Obtain Application Materials

    Copies of this solicitation, the administrative provisions for the 
Program (7 CFR Part 3400), and the Application Kit, which contains 
required forms, certifications, and instructions for preparing and 
submitting applications for funding, may be obtained by contacting: 
Proposal Services Unit; Office of Extramural Programs; Cooperative 
State Research, Education, and Extension Service; U.S. Department of 
Agriculture; STOP 2245; 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.; Washington, 
D.C. 20250-2245; Telephone: (202) 401-5048. When contacting the 
Proposal Services Unit, please indicate that you are requesting forms 
for the Special Research Grants Program ``Pest Management Alternatives 
Research: Special Program Addressing Food Quality Protection Act 
Issues.
    Application materials may also be requested via Internet by sending 
a message with your name, mailing address (not e-mail) and telephone 
number to [email protected] that states that you wish to receive a copy 
of the application materials for the FY 1998 Special Research Grants 
Program--Pest Management Alternatives Research: Special Program 
Addressing Food Quality Protection Act Issues. The materials will then 
be mailed to you (not E-mailed) as quickly as possible.

Proposal Submission

What to Submit

    An original and 20 copies of a proposal must be submitted. Each 
copy

[[Page 33486]]

must be stapled securely in the upper left-hand corner (DO NOT BIND). 
All copies of the proposal must be submitted in one package.

Where and When to Submit

    Proposals must be received by July 20, 1998. Proposals sent by 
First Class mail must be sent to the following address: Special 
Research Grants--Pest Management Alternatives, c/o Proposal Services 
Unit, Office of Extramural Programs, Cooperative State Research, 
Education, and Extension Service U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 
2245, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-2245, 
Telephone: (202) 401-5048.
    Proposals that are delivered by express mail, a courier service, or 
by hand must be submitted to the following address (note that the zip 
code differs from that shown above): Special Research Grants--Pest 
Management Alternatives; c/o Proposal Services Unit; Office of 
Extramural Programs; Cooperative State Research, Education, and 
Extension Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture; Room 303, Aerospace 
Center; 901 D Street, S.W.; Washington, D.C. 20024; Telephone: (202) 
401-5048.

Additional Information

    For reasons set forth in the final rule-related Notice to 7 CFR 
Part 3015, Subpart V (48 FR 29115, June 24, 1983), this program is 
excluded from the scope of Executive Order No. 12372 which requires 
intergovernmental consultation with State and local officials. Under 
the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Action of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
chapter 35), the collection of information requirements contained in 
this Notice have been approved under OMB Document No. 0524-0022.

    Done at Washington, D.C., on this 11th day of June, 1998.
Colien Hefferan,
Acting Administrator, Cooperative State Research, Education, and 
Extension Service.

                       Priority List of Pesticides                      
 [Pesticides that will be first to undergo review of tolerances by EPA, 
         as required by the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996]        
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            ORGANOPHOSPHATES                            
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acephate--I                                                             
Azinphos-methyl--I                                                      
Bensulide--H                                                            
Chlorethoxyfos--I                                                       
Chlorpyrifos--I                                                         
Chlorpyrifos methyl--I                                                  
Coumaphos--I                                                            
DEF--Defoliant                                                          
Diazinon--I                                                             
Dichlorvos--I                                                           
Dicrotophos--I                                                          
Dimethoate--I                                                           
Disulfoton--I                                                           
Ethion--I                                                               
Ethoprop--I, N                                                          
Ethyl parathion--I                                                      
Fenamiphos--I, N                                                        
Fenitrothion--I                                                         
Fenthion--I                                                             
Fonofos--I                                                              
Isofenphos--I                                                           
Malathion--I                                                            
Methamidophos--I                                                        
Methidathion--I                                                         
Methyl parathion--I                                                     
Naled--I                                                                
Oxydemeton methyl--I                                                    
Phorate--I                                                              
Phosmet--I                                                              
Phostebupirim--I                                                        
Pirimiphos methyl--I                                                    
Profenofos--I                                                           
Propetamphos--I                                                         
Sulfotepp--I                                                            
Sulprofos--I                                                            
Temephos--I                                                             
Terbufos--I                                                             
Tetrachlorvinphos--I                                                    
Trichlorfon--I                                                          
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               CARBAMATES                               
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2EEEBC--F                                                               
Aldicarb--I, N                                                          
Asulam--H                                                               
Bendiocarb--I                                                           
Benomyl--F                                                              
Carbaryl--I                                                             
Carbendazim--F                                                          
Carbofuran--I, N                                                        
Chlorpropham--H                                                         
Desmidipham--H                                                          
Fenoxycarb--I                                                           
Formetanate HC--I                                                       
Methiocarb--I                                                           
Methomyl--I                                                             
Oxamyl--I, N                                                            
Phenmedipham--H                                                         
Propamocarb hydrochloride--F                                            
Propoxur--I                                                             
Thiodicarb--I                                                           
Thiophanate methyl--F                                                   
Troysan KK--AM, F                                                       
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          POTENTIAL CARCINOGENS                         
                             (B1's AND B2's)                            
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acetochlor--H                                                           
Aciflourfen sodium--H                                                   
Alachlor--H                                                             
Amitrol--H                                                              
Cacodylic acid--H                                                       
Captan--F                                                               
Chlorothalonil--F                                                       
Creosote--wood preservative                                             
Cyproconazole--F                                                        
Daminozide (Alar)--growth retardant                                     
ETO--fumigant, sterilant                                                
Fenoxycarb--IGR                                                         
Folpet--F                                                               
Formaldehyde--fumigant, germicide                                       
Heptachlor--I                                                           
Iprodione--F                                                            
Lactofen--H                                                             
Lindane--I                                                              
Mancozeb--F                                                             
Maneb--F                                                                
Metam sodium--F, I, H, N, soil fumigant                                 
Metiram--F                                                              
MGK repellent--repellent, synergist                                     
Orthophenylphenol--AM, F, virucide                                      
Oxythioquinox--I                                                        
Pentachlorophenol--F                                                    
Pronamide--H                                                            
Propargite--I                                                           
Propoxur--I                                                             
Propylene oxide--AM, I, F                                               
Telone--N, soil fumigant                                                
Terrazole--F                                                            
Thiodicarb--I                                                           
TPTH--F                                                                 
Vinclozolin--F                                                          
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 AAbbreviations: AM = antimicrobial; I = insecticide; F = fungicide; IGR
  = insect growth regulator; H = herbicide; N = nematicide.             

Appendix II

    USDA and EPA have determined that production of the following 
commodities may depend heavily on the pesticides included on the 
priority list (Appendix I). The possible regulatory impacts of FQPA for 
these commodities are not known. To answer questions that may arise 
during FQPA implementation, Pest Management Profiles are critical for 
these commodities. Priority will be given to proposals that address one 
or more of the commodities on this list.

alfalfa (seed, forage)
artichoke
asparagus
avocado
barley
beans (dry, lima, snap)
beets
blackberry
blueberry
broccoli
brussels sprouts
canola
carrot
cauliflower
celery
citrus
clover seed
cole crops
collards
cranberry
cucumber
date
eggplant
endive
fig
filberts
garlic
green onions

[[Page 33487]]

greens
hops
kale
kiwi
lettuce
livestock
mango
melons
mint
okra
onion
ornamentals (nursery, greenhouse)
parsley
peach
peanut
pear
peas (dry, green, processed)
peppers (bell, sweet, hot)
pineapple
pistachio
potato
pumpkin
radish
spinach
squash
stonefruit
sugarbeet
sweet potato
tomato
turnip
watermelon

Appendix III

    FQPA instructs USDA and EPA to obtain use and usage data for 
major and minor crops. Commodity and Pest Management Profiles will 
help USDA and EPA better understand the impacts of FQPA 
implementation on individual commodities by providing an overview of 
the production system. The crop profiles should include typical use 
information (not simply what pesticide labels state) and should be 
presented in the following format:

[insert name of commodity(ies) and state(s)/region covered by profile 
here]

    Production Facts: State/region ranking in the national 
production of the commodity; state/region contribution to total U.S. 
production of the commodity (percent); state/region yearly 
production numbers for the last 3 to 5 years (total acres grown; 
total acres harvested) and cash value; production costs on a yearly 
basis; portion of commodity for fresh market v. that for processing.
    Production Regions: Define the production regions for the 
commodity within your state/region.
    Cultural Practices: Describe the cultural practices used for 
producing this commodity within your state (e.g., soil types, 
irrigation practices, land preparation, planting times, thinning 
practices, etc.). Highlight intrastate or regional differences if 
they exist.

Pest Management

    For All Pests: Identify the pests needing to be managed 
(diseases, insects, nematodes, vertebrates, weeds, etc.), frequency 
of occurrence (yearly, sporadic, weather related), the damage they 
do, percentage of acres infested with the pest (for each growing 
season or crop cycle), pest life cycles, critical timing of control 
measures, yield losses attributed to each pest. Note any regional 
differences that may occur within the state or region covered by 
this profile.
    Chemical Controls: For each pest discussed above identify the 
active ingredients from Appendix I that are used to control that 
pest; include chemical name, trade name, formulations, percent crop 
treated, type of application (aerial, ground, chemigation, banded, 
broadcast, in-furrow, etc.), typical application rates, timing (pre-
plant, foliar, 5-leaf stage, etc.), typical number of applications 
per growing season or crop cycle, typical pre-harvest interval. 
Identify importance to IPM or resistance management programs. 
Discuss efficacy issues for each active ingredient.
    Chemical and Nonchemical Alternatives: Discuss availability and 
efficacy issues associated with alternatives for pest/pesticide 
combinations discussed above. Chemical alternatives that also are 
priority pesticides (Appendix I) should be identified as such. 
Include a description of possible IPM strategies that could reduce 
reliance on priority pesticides identified in Appendix I.
    Cultural Control Practices: Identify and discuss any cultural 
practices (e.g., planting dates, resistant varieties, row spacing) 
used to manage pests.
    Biological Controls: Discuss any biological control programs 
that are relevant for the pest/commodity; include pheromone use if 
applicable.
    Other issues: Discuss any export issues (international or 
interstate) or food processor restrictions that may limit the use of 
a given active ingredient, or any other relevant issues involving 
pesticide use on this commodity.
    Key Contacts: Identify commodity experts within the state or 
production region by specialty.
    Cite References: Identify sources of pesticide use and usage 
data, pest management practices, etc.

[FR Doc. 98-16153 Filed 6-17-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-22-P