[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 101 (Thursday, May 24, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28668-28672]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-12901]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[OPP-301124; FRL-6782-1]
RIN 2070-AB78


Extension of Tolerances for Emergency Exemptions (Multiple 
Chemicals)

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This regulation extends time-limited tolerances for the 
pesticides listed in Unit II. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. These 
actions are in response to EPA's granting of emergency exemptions under 
section 18 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act 
authorizing use of these pesticides. 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.

DATES: This regulation is effective May 24, 2001. Objections and 
requests for hearings, identified by docket control number OPP-301125, 
must be received by EPA on or before June 25, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Written objections and hearing requests may be submitted by 
mail, in person, or by courier. Please follow the detailed instructions 
for each method as provided in Unit III. of the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, your objections and 
hearing requests must identify docket control number OPP-301125 in the 
subject line on the first page of your response.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: See the listing below for the name of 
a specific contact person. The following mailing address and telephone 
number apply to all contact persons: Emergency Response Team, 
Registration Division (7505C), Office of Pesticide Programs, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (703) 308-9366.

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              Pesticide                        CFR cite              Contact person               E-mail
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Diuron                                 40 CFR 180.106           Shaja R. Brothers        [email protected]
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Terbacil                               40 CFR 180.209           Beth Edwards             [email protected]
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Hydramethylnon                         40 CFR 180.395           Libby Pemberton          [email protected]
Clopyralid                             40 CFR 180.431
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Imidacloprid                           40 CFR 180.472           Andrew Ertman            [email protected]
Spinosad                               40 CFR 180.495
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[[Page 28669]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

    You may be affected by this action if you are an agricultural 
producer, food manufacturer, or pesticide manufacturer. Potentially 
affected categories

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Examples of
           Categories                 NAICS codes         Potentially
                                                       Affected Entities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Industry                          111                 Crop production
                                  112                 Animal production
                                  311                 Food manufacturing
                                  32532               Pesticide
                                                       manufacturing
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This listing is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides 
a guide for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by this 
action. Other types of entities not listed in the table could also be 
affected. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) 
codes have been provided to assist you and others in determining 
whether or not this action might apply to certain entities. If you have 
questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular 
entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT.

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

    1. Electronically. You may obtain electronic copies of this 
document, and certain other related documents that might be available 
electronically, from the EPA Internet Home Page at http://www.epa.gov/. 
To access this document, on the Home Page select ``Laws and 
Regulations,'' ``Regulations and Proposed Rules,'' 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/. A frequently updated electronic 
version of 40 CFR part 180 is available at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfrhtml_00/Title_40/40cfr180 _00.html, a beta site currently 
under development.
    2. In person. The Agency has established an official record for 
this action under docket control number OPP-301125. The official record 
consists of the documents specifically referenced in this action, 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 the Public Information and Records Integrity Branch 
(PIRIB), 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.

II. Background and Statutory Findings

    EPA published final rules in the Federal Register for each 
chemical/commodity listed below. The initial issuance of these final 
rules announced that EPA, on its own initiative, under section 408 of 
the FFDCA, 21 U.S.C. 346a, as amended by the Food Quality Protection 
Act of 1996 (FQPA) (Public Law 104-170) was establishing time-limited 
tolerances.
    EPA established the tolerances 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 the Federal Insecticide, 
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Such tolerances can be 
established without providing notice or time for public comment.
    EPA received requests to extend the use of these chemicals for this 
year's growing season. After having reviewed these submissions, EPA 
concurs that emergency conditions exist. EPA assessed the potential 
risks presented by residues for each chemical/commodity. In doing so, 
EPA considered the 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 safety standard and with FIFRA section 18.
    The data and other relevant material have been evaluated and 
discussed in the final rule originally published to support these uses. 
Based on that data and information considered, the Agency reaffirms 
that extension of these time-limited tolerances will continue to meet 
the requirements of section 408(l)(6). Therefore, the time-limited 
tolerances are extended until the date listed below. EPA will publish a 
document in the Federal Register to remove the revoked tolerances from 
the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Although these tolerances will 
expire and are revoked on the date listed, under FFDCA section 
408(l)(5), residues of the pesticide not in excess of the amounts 
specified in the tolerance remaining in or on the commodity after that 
date will not be unlawful, provided the residue is present as a result 
of an application or use of a pesticide at a time and in a manner that 
was lawful under FIFRA, the tolerance was in place at the time of the 
application, and the residue does not exceed the level that was 
authorized by the tolerance. EPA will take action to revoke these 
tolerances earlier if any experience with, scientific data on, or other 
relevant information on this pesticide indicate that the residues are 
not safe.
    Tolerances for the use of the following pesticide chemicals on 
specific commodities are being extended:
    1. Diuron. EPA has authorized under FIFRA section 18 the use of 
diuron, in catfish ponds for control of blue green algae in Arkansas 
and Mississippi. This regulation extends a time-limited tolerance for 
combined residues of the herbicide, diuron (3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-
dimethylurea) and its metabolites convertible to 3,4-dichloroaniline in 
or on catfish fillets at 2.0 ppm for an additional 2-year period. This 
tolerance will expire and is revoked on June 30, 2003. A time-limited 
tolerance was originally published in the Federal Registeron July 30, 
1999 (64 FR 41297) (FRL-6087-2).
    2. Terbacil. EPA has authorized under FIFRA section 18 the use of 
terbacil on watermelon for control of weeds in Delaware, Maryland, and 
Virginia. This regulation extends a time-limited tolerance for residues 
of the herbicide terbacil (3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-6-methyluracil) and 
its metabolites 3-tert-

[[Page 28670]]

butyl-5-chloro-6-hydroxymethyluracil, 6-chloro-2,3-dihydro-7-
hydroxymethy 3,3-dimethyl-5H oxazolo (3,2-a) pirimidin-5-one, and - 6-
chloro-2,3-dihydro-3,3,7-trimethyl-5H-oxazolo (3,2-a) pyrimidin-5-one), 
calculated as terbacil in or on watermelon at 0.4 ppm for an additional 
2-year, 1-month period. This tolerance will expire and is revoked on 
June 30, 2003. A time-limited tolerance was originally published in the 
Federal Register on June 20, 1997 (62 FR 33557) (FRL-6080-5).
    3. Hydramethylnon. EPA has authorized under FIFRA section 18 the 
use of hydramethynon on pineapple for control of big-headed and 
Argentine ants in Hawaii. This regulation extends a time-limited 
tolerance for residues of the insecticide hydramethylnon; tetrahydro-
5,5-dimethyl-2-(1H)-pyrimidinoine (3-(4-trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-1-[2-
[4(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethenyl)-2-propenylidene) hydrazone in or on 
pineapple at 0.05 ppm for an additional 2-year, 1-month period. This 
tolerance will expire and is revoked on June 30, 2003. A time-limited 
tolerance was originally published in the Federal Register on March 4, 
1998 (63 FR 10537) (FRL-5767-1).
    4. Clopyralid. EPA has authorized under FIFRA section 18 the use of 
clopyralid on canola for control of Canada thistle and perennial 
sowthistle in Minnesota, Montana, and North Dakota. This regulation 
extends a time-limited tolerance for residues of the herbicide 
clopyralid in or on canola at 3 ppm for an additional 1-year, 11-month 
period. This tolerance will expire and is revoked on June 30, 2003. A 
time-limited tolerance was originally published in the Federal Register 
on May 16, 1997 (62 FR 26949) (FRL-5718-2).
    5. Imidacloprid--Blueberries. EPA has authorized under FIFRA 
section 18 the use of imidacloprid on blueberries for control of 
oriental beetles and blueberry aphids in New Jersey. This regulation 
extends a time-limited tolerance for combined residues of the 
insecticide imidacloprid; (1-6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)methyl-N-nitro-2-
imidazolidinimine) and its metabolites containing the 6-chloropyridinyl 
moiety, all expressed as parent in or on blueberries at 1.0 ppm for an 
additional 2-year, 1-month period. This tolerance will expire and is 
revoked on June 30, 2003. A time-limited tolerance was originally 
published in the Federal Register on July 21, 1999 (64 FR 39041) (FRL-
6088-3).
    6. Spinosad. EPA has authorized under FIFRA section 18 the use of 
spinosad on cranberries for control of sparganothis fruitworm in 
Massachusetts. This regulation extends a time-limited tolerance for 
residues of the insecticide spinosad; Spinosyn A (Factor A; CAS 
#131929-60-7) or 2-[(6-deoxy-2,3,4-tri-O-methyl--L-
manno-pyranosyl)oxy-13-[[5-(dimethylamino)-tetrahydro-6-methyl-2H-
pyran-2-yl]oxy]-9-ethyl-2, 3, 3a, 5a, 5b, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 
16a, 16b- tetradecahydro-14-methyl-1H-as-indaceno[3,2-doxacyclododecin-
7,15-dione; and Spinosyn D (Factor D; CAS #131929-63-0) or 2-(6-deoxy-
2,3,4-tri-O-methyl--L-manno-pyranosyl)oxy-13[[-5-
(dimethylamino)-tetrahydro-6-methyl-2H-pyran-2-yl]oxy]-9-ethyl-2, 3, 
3a, 5a, 5b, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16a, 16b-tetradecahydro 4,14-
methyl-1H-as-indaceno[3,2]-doxacyclododecin-7, 15-dione in or on 
cranberries at 0.02 ppm for an additional 2-year, 1-month period. This 
tolerance will expire and is revoked on June 30, 2003. A time-limited 
tolerance was originally published in the Federal Register on July 21, 
1999 (64 FR 39053) (FRL-6086-7).

III. Objections and Hearing Requests

    Under section 408(g) of the FFDCA, as amended by the FQPA, any 
person may file an objection to any aspect of this regulation and may 
also request a hearing on those objections. The EPA procedural 
regulations which govern the submission of objections and requests for 
hearings appear in 40 CFR part 178. Although the procedures in those 
regulations require some modification to reflect the amendments made to 
the FFDCA by the FQPA of 1996, EPA will continue to use those 
procedures, with appropriate adjustments, until the necessary 
modifications can be made. The new section 408(g) provides essentially 
the same process for persons to ``object'' to a regulation for an 
exemption from the requirement of a tolerance issued by EPA under new 
section 408(d), as was provided in the old FFDCA sections 408 and 409. 
However, the period for filing objections is now 60 days, rather than 
30 days.

A. What Do I Need to Do to File an Objection or Request a Hearing?

    You must file your objection or request a hearing on this 
regulation in accordance with the instructions provided in this unit 
and in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, you must 
identify docket control number OPP-301125 in the subject line on the 
first page of your submission. All requests must be in writing, and 
must be mailed or delivered to the Hearing Clerk on or before June 25, 
2001.
    1. Filing the request. Your objection must specify the specific 
provisions in the regulation that you object to, and the grounds for 
the objections (40 CFR 178.25). If a hearing is requested, the 
objections must include a statement of the factual issues(s) on which a 
hearing is requested, the requestor's contentions on such issues, and a 
summary of any evidence relied upon by the objector (40 CFR 178.27).
    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.
    Mail your written request to: Office of the Hearing Clerk (1900), 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460. You may also deliver your request to the Office 
of the Hearing Clerk in Rm. C400, Waterside Mall, 401 M St., SW., 
Washington, DC 20460. The Office of the Hearing Clerk is open from 8 
a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The 
telephone number for the Office of the Hearing Clerk is (202) 260-4865.
    2. Tolerance fee payment. If you file an objection or request a 
hearing, you must also pay the fee prescribed by 40 CFR 180.33(i) or 
request a waiver of that fee pursuant to 40 CFR 180.33(m). You must 
mail the fee to: EPA Headquarters Accounting Operations Branch, Office 
of Pesticide Programs, P.O. Box 360277M, Pittsburgh, PA 15251. Please 
identify the fee submission by labeling it ``Tolerance Petition Fees.''
    EPA is authorized to waive any fee requirement ``when in the 
judgement of the Administrator such a waiver or refund is equitable and 
not contrary to the purpose of this subsection.'' For additional 
information regarding the waiver of these fees, you may contact James 
Tompkins by phone at (703) 305-5697, by e-mail at [email protected], 
or by mailing a request for information to Mr. Tompkins at Registration 
Division (7505C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
    If you would like to request a waiver of the tolerance objection 
fees, you must mail your request for such a waiver to: James Hollins, 
Information Resources and Services Division (7502C), Office of 
Pesticide Programs, Environmental

[[Page 28671]]

Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
    3. Copies for the docket. In addition to filing an objection or 
hearing request with the Hearing Clerk as described in Unit III.A., you 
should also send a copy of your request to the PIRIB for its inclusion 
in the official record that is described in Unit I.B.2. Mail your 
copies, identified by docket control number OPP-301125, to: Public 
Information and Records Integrity Branch, Information Resources and 
Services Division (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
    In person or by courier, bring a copy to the location of the PIRIB 
described in Unit I.B.2. You may also send an electronic copy of your 
request via e-mail to: [email protected]. Please use an ASCII file 
format and avoid 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 6.1/8.0 file format or ASCII 
file format. Do not include any CBI in your electronic copy. You may 
also submit an electronic copy of your request at many Federal 
Depository Libraries.

B. When Will the Agency Grant a Request for a Hearing?

    A request for a hearing will be granted if the Administrator 
determines that the material submitted shows the following: There is a 
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(s) in the manner sought 
by the requestor would be adequate to justify the action requested (40 
CFR 178.32).

IV. Regulatory Assessment Requirements

    This final rule establishes time-limited tolerances under FFDCA 
section 408. 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). 
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) (Public Law 104-4). Nor does it require any special 
considerations under 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 or 
any other Agency action under Executive Order 13045, entitled 
Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks 
(62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997). This action does not involve any 
technical standards that would require Agency consideration of 
voluntary consensus standards pursuant to section 12(d) of the National 
Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (NTTAA), Public Law 
104-113, section 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 note). Since tolerances and 
exemptions that are established under FFDCA section 408(l)(6) in 
response to an exemption under FIFRA section 18, such as the tolerances 
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. In addition, the Agency has determined that this 
action will not have a substantial direct effect on States, on the 
relationship between the national government and the States, or on the 
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of 
government, as specified in Executive Order 13132, entitled Federalism 
(64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999). Executive Order 13132 requires EPA to 
develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful and timely input 
by State and local officials in the development of regulatory policies 
that have federalism implications.'' ``Policies that have federalism 
implications'' is defined in the Executive Order to include regulations 
that have ``substantial direct effects on the States, on the 
relationship between the national government and the States, or on the 
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of 
government.'' This final rule directly regulates growers, food 
processors, food handlers and food retailers, not States. This action 
does not alter the relationships or distribution of power and 
responsibilities established by Congress in the preemption provisions 
of FFDCA section 408(n)(4).
    For these same reasons, the Agency has determined that this rule 
does not have any ``tribal implications'' as described in Executive 
Order 13175, entitled Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal 
Governments (65 FR 67249, November 6, 2000). Executive Order 13175, 
requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful 
and timely input by tribal officials in the development of regulatory 
policies that have tribal implications.'' ``Policies that have tribal 
implications'' is defined in the Executive Order to include regulations 
that have ``substantial direct effects on one or more Indian tribes, on 
the relationship between the Federal government and the Indian tribes, 
or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the 
Federal government and Indian tribes.'' This rule will not have 
substantial direct effects on tribal governments, on the relationship 
between the Federal government and Indian tribes, or on the 
distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal 
government and Indian tribes, as specified in Executive Order 13175. 
Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this rule.

V. 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 final rule in the Federal Register. This final 
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 
recordkeeping requirements.


    Dated: May 2, 2001.
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. 321(q), 346(a) and 371.


Sec. 180.106  [AMENDED]

    2. In Sec. 180.106(b), amend the table entry for catfish fillets by 
revising the

[[Page 28672]]

expiration date ``6/30/01'' to read ``6/30/03''.


Sec. 180.209  [AMENDED]

    3. In Sec. 180.209(b), amend the table entry for watermelon by 
revising the expiration date ``5/30/01'' to read ``6/30/03''.


Sec. 180.395  [AMENDED]

    4. In Sec. 180.395(b), amend the table entry for pineapple by 
revising the expiration date ``5/30/01'' to read ``6/30/03''.


Sec. 180.431  [AMENDED]

    5. In Sec. 180.431(b), amend the table entry for canola by revising 
the expiration date ``7/31/01'' to read ``6/30/03.''


Sec. 180.472  [AMENDED]

    6. In Sec. 180.472(b), amend the table entry for cranberries by 
revising the expiration date ``06/01/01'' to read ``6/30/03.''


Sec. 180.495  [AMENDED]

    7. In Sec. 180.495(b), amend the table entry for cranberries by 
revising the expiration date ``06/01/01'' to read ``6/30/03.''
[FR Doc. 01-12901 Filed 5-23-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S