[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 198 (Thursday, October 14, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55712-55714]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26807]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPP-34145A; FRL-6389-2]


Organophosphate Pesticides; Availability of Revised Risk 
Assessments

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: This notices announces the availability of the revised risk 
assessments and related documents for one organophosphate pesticide, 
fenthion. In addition, this notice starts a 60-day public participation 
period during which the public is encouraged to submit risk management 
ideas or proposals. These actions are in response to a joint initiative 
between EPA and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to increase 
transparency in the tolerance reassessment process for organophosphate 
pesticides.

DATES: Comments, identified by docket control number OPP-34145A for 
fenthion, must be received by EPA on or before December 13, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by mail, electronically, or in 
person. Please follow the detailed instructions for each method as 
provided in Unit III. of the ``SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.'' To ensure 
proper receipt by EPA, it is imperative that you identify docket 
control number OPP-34145A in the subject line on the first page of your 
response.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Angulo, Special Review and 
Reregistration Division (7508C), Office of Pesticide Programs, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460; 
telephone number: (703) 308-8004; e-mail address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Does this Action Apply to Me?

    This action is directed to the public in general, nevertheless, a 
wide range of stakeholders will be interested in obtaining the revised 
risk assessments and submitting risk management comments on fenthion, 
including environmental, human health, and agricultural advocates; the 
chemical industry; pesticide users; and members of the public 
interested in the use of pesticides on food. As such, the Agency has 
not attempted to specifically describe all the entities potentially 
affected by this action. If you have any questions regarding the 
applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult

[[Page 55713]]

the person listed under ``FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.''

II. How Can I Get Additional Information, Including Copies of this 
Document or Other Related Documents?

     A. Electronically. You may obtain electronic copies of this 
document and other related documents from the EPA Internet Home Page at 
http://www.epa.gov/. To access this document, on the Home Page select 
``Laws and Regulations'' and then look up the entry for this document 
under the ``Federal Register--Environmental Documents.'' You can also 
go directly to the Federal Register listings at http://www.epa.gov/
fedrgstr/.
     To access information about organophosphate pesticides and obtain 
electronic copies of the revised risk assessments and related documents 
mentioned in this notice, you can also go directly to the Home Page for 
the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) at http://www.epa.gov/
pesticides/op/.
     B. In Person. The Agency has established an official record for 
this action under docket control number OPP-34145A. The official record 
consists of the documents specifically referenced in this action, any 
public comments received during an applicable comment period, and other 
information related to this action, including any information claimed 
as Confidential Business Information (CBI). This official record 
includes the documents that are physically located in the docket, as 
well as the documents that are referenced in those documents. The 
public version of the official record does not include any information 
claimed as CBI. The public version of the official record, which 
includes printed, paper versions of any electronic comments submitted 
during an applicable comment period, is available for inspection in Rm. 
119, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA, from 
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. 
The PIRIB telephone number is (703) 305-5805.

III. How Can I Respond to this Action?

A. How and to Whom Do I Submit Comments?

    You may submit comments through the mail, in person, or 
electronically. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, it is imperative that 
you identify docket control number OPP-34145A in the subject line on 
the first page of your response.
    1. By mail. Submit 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.
    2. In person or by courier. Deliver comments to: Public Information 
and Records Integrity Branch, Information Resources and Services 
Division, Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection 
Agency, Rm. 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, 
VA. The PIRIB is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
excluding legal holidays. The PIRIB telephone number is (703) 305-5805.
    3. Electronically. Submit electronic comments by e-mail to: ``opp-
[email protected],'' or you can submit a computer disk as described in 
this unit. Do not submit any information electronically that you 
consider to be CBI. 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 standard 
computer disks in WordPerfect 6.1/8.0 or ASCII file format. All 
comments in electronic form must be identified by the docket control 
number OPP-34145A. Electronic comments may also be filed online at many 
Federal Depository Libraries.

B. How Should I Handle CBI Information that I Want to Submit to the 
Agency?

    Do not submit any information electronically that you consider to 
be CBI. You may claim information that you submit to EPA in response to 
this document as CBI 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. In addition to one complete 
version of the comment that includes any information claimed as CBI, a 
copy of the comment that does not contain the information claimed as 
CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public version of the 
official record. Information not marked confidential will be included 
in the public version of the official record without prior notice. If 
you have any questions about CBI or the procedures for claiming CBI, 
please consult the person listed under ``FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT.''

IV. What Action is EPA Taking in this Notice?

     EPA is making available for public viewing the revised risk 
assessments and related documents for two organophosphates, fenthion. 
These documents have been developed as part of the pilot public 
participation process that EPA and USDA are now using for involving the 
public in the reassessment of pesticide tolerances under the Food 
Quality Protection Act (FQPA), and the reregistration of individual 
organophosphate pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, 
and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The pilot public participation process was 
developed as part of the EPA-USDA Tolerance Reassessment Advisory 
Committee (TRAC), which was established in April 1998, as a 
subcommittee under the auspices of EPA's National Advisory Council for 
Environmental Policy and Technology. A goal of the pilot public 
participation process is to find a more effective way for the public to 
participate at critical junctures in the Agency's development of 
organophosphate risk assessments and risk management decisions. EPA and 
USDA began implementing this pilot process in August 1998, to increase 
transparency and opportunities for stakeholder consultation. The 
documents being released to the public through this notice provide 
information on the revisions that were made to the fenthion preliminary 
risk assessments, which where released to the public, September 9, 1998 
(63 FR 48213) (FRL-6030-2), through a notice in the Federal Register.
    As part of the pilot public participation process, EPA and USDA may 
hold public meetings (called Technical Briefings) to provide interested 
stakeholders with opportunities to become more informed about revised 
organophosphate risk assessments. During the Technical Briefings, EPA 
describes the major points (e.g., risk contributors), use data that 
were used (e.g., data from USDA's Pesticide Data Program (PDP)), and 
discusses how public comments impacted the assessment. USDA provides 
ideas on possible risk management. Stakeholders have an opportunity to 
ask clarifying questions, and all meeting minutes are placed in the OPP 
public docket. Technical Briefings may not be held for chemicals that 
have limited use patterns or low levels of risk concern. The use 
patterns for fenthion are predominately mosquito control, therefore, no 
Technical Briefing is planned. In cases where no Technical Briefing is 
held, the Agency will make a special effort to communicate with 
interested stakeholders in order to better ensure their understanding 
of the revised assessments and how they can participate in the 
organophosphate pilot public participation process. EPA has a good 
familiarity with the stakeholder

[[Page 55714]]

groups associated with the use of fenthion who may be interested in 
participating in the risk assessment/risk management process, and will 
contact them individually to inform them that no Technical Briefing 
will be held. EPA is willing to meet with stakeholders to discuss the 
fenthion revised risk assessments. Minutes of all meetings will be 
docketed.
    In addition, this notice starts a 60-day public participation 
period during which the public is encouraged to submit risk management 
proposals or otherwise comment on risk management for fenthion. The 
Agency is providing an opportunity, through this notice, for interested 
parties to provide written risk management proposals or ideas to the 
Agency on the pesticides specified in this notice. Such comments and 
proposals could address ideas about how to manage dietary, 
occupational, or ecological risks on specific fenthion use sites or 
crops across the United States or in a particular geographic region of 
the country. To address dietary risk, for example, commenters may 
choose to discuss the feasibility of lower application rates, 
increasing the time interval between application and harvest (``pre-
harvest intervals''), modifications in use, or suggest alternative 
measures to reduce residues contributing to dietary exposure. For 
occupational risks, for example, commenters may suggest personal 
protective equipment or technologies to reduce exposure to workers and 
pesticide handlers. For ecological risks, commentors may suggest ways 
to reduce environmental exposure, e.g., exposure to birds, fish, 
mammals, and other non-target organisms. EPA will provide other 
opportunities for public participation and comment on issues associated 
with the organophosphate tolerance reassessment program. Failure to 
participate or comment as part of this opportunity will in no way 
prejudice or limit a commenter's opportunity to participate fully in 
later notice and comment processes. All comments and proposals must be 
received by EPA on or before December 13, 1999 at the addresses given 
under Unit I. of the ``SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.'' Comments and 
proposals will become part of the Agency record for the organophosphate 
specified in this notice.

List of Subjects

     Environmental protection, Chemicals, Pesticides and pests.

    Dated: October 7, 1999.

Lois Rossi,
Director, Special Review and Reregistration Division, Office of 
Pesticide Programs.

[FR Doc. 99-26807 Filed 10-13-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F