[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 233 (Friday, December 4, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66996-66999]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-31964]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[OPP-300761; FRL-6046-9]
RIN 2070-AB78


Myclobutanil; Extension of Tolerance for Emergency Exemptions

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This rule extends a time-limited tolerance for residues of the 
fungicide myclobutanil and its metabolites in or on cucurbits at 0.3 
part per million (ppm) for an additional 18-month period, to May 30, 
2000. This action is in response to EPA's granting of an emergency 
exemption under section 18 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and 
Rodenticide Act authorizing use of the pesticide on cucurbits. Section 
408(l)(6) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) requires 
EPA to establish a time-limited tolerance or exemption from the 
requirement for a tolerance for pesticide chemical residues in food 
that will result from the use of a pesticide under an emergency 
exemption granted by EPA under section 18 of FIFRA.

DATES: This regulation becomes effective December 4, 1998. Objections 
and requests for hearings must be received by EPA, on or before 
February 2, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Written objections and hearing requests, identified by the 
docket control number [OPP-300761], must be submitted to: Hearing Clerk 
(1900), Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. M3708, 401 M St., SW., 
Washington, DC 20460. Fees accompanying objections and hearing requests 
shall be labeled ``Tolerance Petition Fees'' and forwarded to: EPA 
Headquarters Accounting Operations Branch, OPP (Tolerance Fees) and 
forwarded to: EPA Headquarters Accounting Operations Branch, OPP

[[Page 66997]]

(Tolerance Fees), P.O. Box 360277M, Pittsburgh, PA 15251. A copy of any 
objections and hearing requests filed with the Hearing Clerk identified 
by the docket control number, [OPP-300761], must also be submitted 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 a copy of objections and hearing requests to Rm. 119, 
Crystal Mall 2 (CM #2), 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA.
    A copy of objections and hearing requests filed with the Hearing 
Clerk may be submitted electronically by sending electronic mail (e-
mail) to: [email protected]. Copies of electronic objections and 
hearing requests must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the use of 
special characters and any form of encryption. Copies of electronic 
objections and hearing requests will also be accepted on disks in 
WordPerfect 5.1/6.1 file format or ASCII file format. All copies of 
electronic objections and hearing requests must be identified by the 
docket number [OPP-300761]. No Confidential Business Information (CBI) 
should be submitted through e-mail. Copies of electronic objections and 
hearing requests on this rule may be filed online at many Federal 
Depository Libraries.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: David Deegan, Registration 
Division (7505C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. Office 
location, telephone number, and e-mail address: Rm. 280, (CM #2), 1921 
Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA 22202, (703) 308-9358; e-mail: 
D[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA issued a final rule, published in the 
Federal Register of January 9, 1997 (62 FR 1284) (FRL-5579-7), which 
announced that on its own initiative and under section 408(e) of the 
FFDCA, 21 U.S.C. 346a(e) and (l)(6), it established a time-limited 
tolerance for the residues of myclobutanil and its metabolites in or on 
cucurbits at 0.3 ppm, with an expiration date that was extended until 
November 30, 1998. EPA established the tolerance because section 
408(l)(6) of the FFDCA requires EPA to establish a time-limited 
tolerance or exemption from the requirement for a tolerance for 
pesticide chemical residues in food that will result from the use of a 
pesticide under an emergency exemption granted by EPA under section 18 
of FIFRA. Such tolerances can be established without providing notice 
or period for public comment.
    EPA received a request to extend the use of myclobutanil on 
cucurbits for this year growing season due to the continued development 
of powdery mildew on cucurbit vegetables in several states, and the 
presumed development of resistance in previously registered products. 
After having reviewed the submission, EPA concurs that emergency 
conditions exist for this state. EPA has authorized under FIFRA section 
18 the use of myclobutanil on cucurbits for control of powdery mildew 
in cucurbits.
    EPA assessed the potential risks presented by residues of 
myclobutanil in or on cucurbits. In doing so, EPA considered the new 
safety standard in FFDCA section 408(b)(2), and decided that the 
necessary tolerance under FFDCA section 408(l)(6) would be consistent 
with the new safety standard and with FIFRA section 18. The data and 
other relevant material have been evaluated and discussed in the final 
rule of January 9, 1997. Based on that data and information considered, 
the Agency reaffirms that extension of the time-limited tolerance will 
continue to meet the requirements of section 408(l)(6). Therefore, the 
time-limited tolerance is extended for an additional 18-month period. 
Although this tolerance will expire and is revoked on May 30, 2000, 
under FFDCA section 408(l)(5), residues of the pesticide not in excess 
of the amounts specified in the tolerance remaining in or on cucurbits 
after that date will not be unlawful, provided the pesticide is applied 
in a manner that was lawful under FIFRA and the application occurred 
prior to the revocation of the tolerance. EPA will take action to 
revoke this tolerance earlier if any experience with, scientific data 
on, or other relevant information on this pesticide indicate that the 
residues are not safe.

I. Objections and Hearing Requests

     The new FFDCA section 408(g) provides essentially the same process 
for persons to ``object'' to a tolerance regulation issued by EPA under 
new section 408(e) and (l)(6) as was provided in the old section 408 
and in section 409. However, the period for filing objections is 60 
days, rather than 30 days. EPA currently has procedural regulations 
which govern the submission of objections and hearing requests. These 
regulations will require some modification to reflect the new law. 
However, until those modifications can be made, EPA will continue to 
use those procedural regulations with appropriate adjustments to 
reflect the new law.
    Any person may, by February 2, 1999, file written objections to any 
aspect of this regulation and may also request a hearing on those 
objections. Objections and hearing requests must be filed with the 
Hearing Clerk, at the address given above (40 CFR 178.20). A copy of 
the objections and/or hearing requests filed with the Hearing Clerk 
should be submitted to the OPP docket for this rule. The objections 
submitted must specify the provisions of the regulation deemed 
objectionable and the grounds for the objections (40 CFR 178.25). Each 
objection must be accompanied by the fee prescribed by 40 CFR 
180.33(i). If a hearing is requested, the objections must include a 
statement of the factual issues on which a hearing is requested, the 
requestor's contentions on such issues, and a summary of any evidence 
relied upon by the requestor (40 CFR 178.27). A request for a hearing 
will be granted if the Administrator determines that the material 
submitted shows the following: There is genuine and substantial issue 
of fact; there is a reasonable possibility that available evidence 
identified by the requestor would, if established, resolve one or more 
of such issues in favor of the requestor, taking into account 
uncontested claims or facts to the contrary; and resolution of the 
factual issues in the manner sought by the requestor would be adequate 
to justify the action requested (40 CFR 178.32). Information submitted 
in connection with an objection or hearing request 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 information that 
does not contain CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public 
record. Information not marked confidential may be disclosed publicly 
by EPA without prior notice.

II. Public Record and Electronic Submissions

    EPA has established a record for this regulation under docket 
control number [OPP-300761] (including any comments and data submitted 
electronically). 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 public 
record is located in Rm. 119 of the Public Information and Records 
Integrity Branch, Information Resources and Services Division

[[Page 66998]]

(7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 
CM #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA.
    Objections and hearing requests may be sent by e-mail directly to 
EPA at:
    [email protected].


    E-mailed objections and hearing requests must be submitted as an 
ASCII file avoiding the use of special characters and any form of 
encryption.
    The official record for this regulation, as well as the public 
version, as described in this unit will be kept in paper form. 
Accordingly, EPA will transfer any copies of objections and hearing 
requests received electronically into printed, paper form as they are 
received and will place the paper copies in the official record which 
will also include all comments submitted directly in writing. The 
official record is the paper record maintained at the Virginia address 
in ``ADDRESSES'' at the beginning of this document.

III. Regulatory Assessment Requirements

A. Certain Acts and Executive Orders

    This final rule extends a time-limited tolerance that was 
previously established by EPA under FFDCA section 408(d) in response to 
a petition submitted to the Agency. The Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) has exempted these types of actions from review under Executive 
Order 12866, entitled Regulatory Planning and Review (58 FR 51735, 
October 4, 1993). In addition, this final rule does not contain any 
information collections subject to OMB approval under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., or impose any enforceable 
duty or contain any unfunded mandate as described under Title II of the 
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (Pub. L. 104-4). Nor does 
it require any special considerations as required by Executive Order 
12898, entitled Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in 
Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations (59 FR 7629, February 
16, 1994), or require OMB review in accordance with Executive Order 
13045, entitled Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks 
and Safety Risks (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997).
    In addition, since this extension of an existing time-limited 
tolerance that was established on the basis of a petition under FFDCA 
section 408(d), such as the exemption in this final rule, do not 
require the issuance of a proposed rule, the requirements of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) do not apply. 
Nevertheless, the Agency has previously assessed whether establishing 
tolerances, exemptions from tolerances, raising tolerance levels, or 
expanding exemptions might adversely impact small entities and 
concluded, as a generic matter, that there is no adverse economic 
impact. The factual basis for the Agency's generic certification for 
tolerance actions published on May 4, 1981 (46 FR 24950), and was 
provided to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration.

B. Executive Order 12875

    Under Executive Order 12875, entitled Enhancing the 
Intergovernmental Partnership (58 FR 58093, October 28, 1993), EPA may 
not issue a regulation that is not required by statute and that creates 
a mandate upon a State, local, or tribal government, unless the Federal 
government provides the funds necessary to pay the direct compliance 
costs incurred by those governments. If the mandate is unfunded, EPA 
must provide to OMB a description of the extent of EPA's prior 
consultation with representatives of affected State, local, and tribal 
governments, the nature of their concerns, copies of any written 
communications from the governments, and a statement supporting the 
need to issue the regulation. In addition, Executive Order 12875 
requires EPA to develop an effective process permitting elected 
officials and other representatives of State, local, and tribal 
governments ``to provide meaningful and timely input in the development 
of regulatory proposals containing significant unfunded mandates.''
    Today's rule does not create an unfunded Federal mandate on State, 
local, or tribal governments. The rule does not impose any enforceable 
duties on these entities. Accordingly, the requirements of section 1(a) 
of Executive Order 12875 do not apply to this rule.

C. Executive Order 13084

    Under Executive Order 13084, entitled Consultation and Coordination 
with Indian Tribal Governments (63 FR 27655, May 19, 1998), EPA may not 
issue a regulation that is not required by statute, that significantly 
or uniquely affects the communities of Indian tribal governments, and 
that imposes substantial direct compliance costs on those communities, 
unless the Federal government provides the funds necessary to pay the 
direct compliance costs incurred by the tribal governments. If the 
mandate is unfunded, EPA must provide to OMB, in a separately 
identified section of the preamble to the rule, a description of the 
extent of EPA's prior consultation with representatives of affected 
tribal governments, a summary of the nature of their concerns, and a 
statement supporting the need to issue the regulation. In addition, 
Executive Order 13084 requires EPA to develop an effective process 
permitting elected officials and other representatives of Indian tribal 
governments ``to provide meaningful and timely input in the development 
of regulatory policies on matters that significantly or uniquely affect 
their communities.''
    Today's rule does not significantly or uniquely affect the 
communities of Indian tribal governments. This action does not involve 
or impose any requirements that affect Indian tribes. Accordingly, the 
requirements of section 3(b) of Executive Order 13084 do not apply to 
this rule.

IV. Submission to Congress and the Comptroller General

    The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally 
provides that before a rule may take effect, the Agency promulgating 
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, 
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the 
United States. EPA will submit a report containing this rule and other 
required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of 
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior 
to publication of this rule in the Federal Register. This rule is not a 
``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180

    Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, 
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides and pests, Reporting and record 
keeping requirements.

    Dated: November 18, 1998.

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

    Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is amended as follows:

PART 180 -- [AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as 
follows:
    Authority:  21 U.S.C. 346a and 371.


[[Page 66999]]




Sec. 180.443  [Amended]

    2. In Sec. 180.443, paragraph (b), in the table, amend the entry 
``Curcubit vegetables'' by removing the expiration date ``11/30/98'' 
and adding in its place ``5/30/00''.

[FR Doc. 98-31964 Filed 12-3-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F