[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 121 (Wednesday, June 24, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34383-34384]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16777]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPP-34126; FRL-5796-3]


Bacillus thuringiensis; Availability of Reregistration 
Eligibility Document for Public Comment

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This Notice announces the availability of the Reregistration 
Eligibility Document (RED) for the active ingredient Bacillus 
thuringiensis, and the start of a 60-day public comment period. The RED 
for Bacillus thuringiensis is the Agency's formal regulatory assessment 
of the health and environmental data base of the subject chemical, and 
presents the Agency's determination regarding which pesticidal uses of 
Bacillus thuringiensis are eligible for reregistration.

DATES: Written comments on the RED must be submitted by August 24, 
1998.

ADDRESSES: Three copies of comments identified with the docket number 
[OPP-34126] should be submitted to: By mail: Public Response and 
Program Resources Branch, Field Operations Division (7502C), Office of 
Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., S.W., 
Washington, DC 20460. In person, deliver comments to: Room 119, CM2 
1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA. Comments and data may also 
be submitted electronically by following the instructions under 
``Public Record.'' No Confidential Business Information (CBI) should be 
submitted through e-mail.
    Information submitted as a comment in response to this Notice may 
be claimed confidential by marking any part or all of that information 
as CBI. Information so marked will not be

[[Page 34384]]

disclosed except in accordance with procedures set for in 40 CFR part 
2. A copy of the comment that does not contain CBI must be submitted 
for inclusion in the public docket. Information not marked confidential 
will be included in the public docket without prior notice. The public 
docket and docket index will be available for public inspection in Rm. 
119 at the address given above, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, excluding legal holidays.
    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. Comment and data will also be accepted on disks in 
Wordperfect 5.1/6.1 file format or ASCII file format.
    All comments and data in electronic form must be identified by the 
docket control number [OPP-34126]. Electronic comments on this proposed 
rule may be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries.
    To request a copy of the above RED, or a RED Fact Sheet, contact 
the Public Response and Program Resources Branch, in Rm. 119 at the 
address given above or call (703) 305-5805.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical questions on the RED should 
be directed to the Biopesticide Review Manager, William R. Schneider, 
PM 90, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division (7511C), Office 
of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., 
Washington, DC 20460. Office location, telephone number, and e-mail 
address: 9th floor CM2 2100 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA; 
(703-308-8683), e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Agency has issued Reregistration 
Eligibility Documents (RED) for the pesticidal active ingredient: 
Bacillus thuringiensis. Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and 
Rodenticide Act, as amended in 1988, EPA is conducting an accelerated 
reregistration program to reevaluate existing pesticides to make sure 
they meet current scientific and regulatory standards. The data base to 
support the reregistration of the chemical Bacillus thuringiensis is 
substantially complete. EPA has determined that all currently 
registered products containing Bacillus thuringiensis as an active 
ingredient are eligible for reregistration.
    All registrants of products containing Bacillus thuringiensis have 
been sent the appropriate RED and must respond to the labeling 
requirements and the product specific data requirements (if applicable) 
within 8 months of receipt. These products will not be reregistered 
until adequate product specific data have been submitted and all 
necessary product label changes are implemented.
    The reregistration program is being conducted under congressionally 
mandated time frames, and EPA recognizes both the need to make timely 
reregistration decisions and to involve the public. Therefore, EPA is 
issuing the RED as a final document with a 60-day comment period. 
Although the 60-day public comment period does not affect the 
registrant's response due date, it is intended to provide an 
opportunity for public input and a mechanism for initiating any 
necessary amendments to the RED. All comments will be carefully 
considered by the Agency and if any of those comments impact on the 
RED, EPA will issue an amendment to the RED and publish a Federal 
Register notice announcing its availability.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection.

    Dated: June 12, 1998.

Janet L. Andersen,
Director, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division, Office of 
Pesticide Programs.

[FR Doc. 98-16777 Filed 6-23-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F