[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 220 (Wednesday, November 16, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69548-69550]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-22549]



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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPP-2005-0291; FRL-7744-9]


Tolerance Petitions for Pesticides on Food/Feed Crops and New 
Inert Ingredients; Renewal of Pesticide Information Collection 
Activities and Request for Comments

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) this notice announces that EPA is seeking public 
comment on the following Information Collection Request (ICR): 
Tolerance Petitions for Pesticides on Food/Feed Crops and New Inert 
Ingredients (EPA ICR No. 0597.09, OMB Control No. 2070-0024). This is a 
request to renew an existing ICR that is currently approved and due to 
expire on August 31, 2006. The ICR describes the nature of the 
information collection activity and its expected burden and costs. 
Before submitting this ICR to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for review and approval under the PRA, EPA is soliciting comments on 
specific aspects of the collection.

DATES: Written comments, identified by the docket identification (ID) 
number OPP-2005-0291, must be received on or before January 17, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted electronically, by mail, or 
through hand delivery/courier. Follow the detailed instructions as 
provided in Unit III. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nathanael R. Martin, Field and 
External Affairs Division (7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (703) 305-6475; fax 
number: (703) 305-5884; e-mail address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Does this Action Apply to Me?

    You may be potentially affected by this action if you are a 
business engaged in the manufacturing of pesticides and other 
agricultural chemicals. Potentially affected entities may include, but 
are not limited to:
     Manufacturers of pesticides and other agricultural 
chemicals (NAICS 325320), e.g., businesses engaged in the manufacture 
of pesticides and who file a petition asking the Agency to take a 
specific tolerance action.
    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 above could also be 
affected. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) 
codes have been provided to assist you and others in determining 
whether this action might apply to certain entities. To determine 
whether you or your business may be affected by this action, you should 
carefully examine the applicability provisions in 40 CFR 180.7 through 
180.41. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this 
action to a particular entity, consult the person listed under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

II. How Can I Get Copies of this Document and Other Related 
Information?

A. Docket

    EPA has established an official public docket for this action under 
docket identification (ID) number OPP-2005-0291. The official public 
docket consists of the documents specifically referenced in this 
action, any public comments received, and other information related to 
this action. Although a part of the official docket, the public docket 
does not include Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. The official 
public docket is the collection of materials that is available for 
public viewing at the Public Information and Records Integrity Branch 
(PIRIB), Rm. 119, Crystal Mall 2, 1801 S. Bell St., Arlington, 
VA. This docket facility is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The docket telephone number 
is (703) 305-5805.

B. Electronic Access

    You may access this Federal Register document electronically 
through the EPA Internet under the ``Federal Register'' listings at 
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/.
    An electronic version of the public docket is available through 
EPA's electronic public docket and comment system, EPA Dockets. You may 
use EPA Dockets at http://www.epa.gov/edocket/ to submit or view public 
comments, access the index listing of the contents of the official 
public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that 
are available electronically. Once in the system, select ``search,'' 
then key in the appropriate docket ID number.
    Certain types of information will not be placed in the EPA Dockets. 
Information claimed as CBI and other information whose disclosure is 
restricted by statute, which is not included in the official public 
docket, will not be available for public viewing in EPA's electronic 
public docket. EPA's policy is that copyrighted material will not be 
placed in EPA's electronic public docket but will be available only in 
printed, paper form in the official public docket. To the extent 
feasible, publicly available docket materials will be made available in 
EPA's electronic public docket. When a document is selected from the 
index list in EPA Dockets, the system will identify whether the 
document is available for viewing in EPA's electronic public docket. 
Although not all docket materials may be available electronically, you 
may still access any of the publicly available docket materials through 
the docket facility identified in Unit II.A. EPA intends to work 
towards providing electronic access to all of the publicly available 
docket materials through EPA's electronic public docket.
    For public commenters, it is important to note that EPA's policy is 
that public comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper, 
will be made available for public viewing in EPA's electronic public 
docket as EPA receives them and without change, unless the comment 
contains copyrighted material, CBI, or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. When EPA identifies a comment 
containing copyrighted material, EPA will provide a reference to that 
material in the version of the comment that is placed in EPA's 
electronic public docket. The entire printed comment, including the 
copyrighted material, will be available in the public docket.
    Public comments submitted on computer disks that are mailed or 
delivered to the docket will be transferred to EPA's electronic public 
docket. Public comments that are mailed or delivered to the docket will 
be scanned and placed in EPA's electronic public docket. Where 
practical, physical objects will be photographed, and the photograph 
will be placed in EPA's electronic public docket along with a brief 
description written by the docket staff.

III. How Can I Respond to this Action?

A. How and To Whom Do I Submit Comments?

    You may submit comments electronically, by mail, or through hand 
delivery/courier. To ensure proper

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receipt by EPA, identify the appropriate docket ID number in the 
subject line on the first page of your comment. Please ensure that your 
comments are submitted within the specified comment period. Comments 
received after the close of the comment period will be marked ``late.'' 
EPA is not required to consider these late comments. If you wish to 
submit CBI or information that is otherwise protected by statute, 
please follow the instructions in Unit III.B. Do not use EPA Dockets or 
e-mail to submit CBI or information protected by statute.
    1. Electronically. If you submit an electronic comment as 
prescribed in this unit, EPA recommends that you include your name, 
mailing address, and an e-mail address or other contact information in 
the body of your comment. Also include this contact information on the 
outside of any disk or CD ROM you submit, and in any cover letter 
accompanying the disk or CD ROM. This ensures that you can be 
identified as the submitter of the comment and allows EPA to contact 
you in case EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties 
or needs further information on the substance of your comment. EPA's 
policy is that EPA will not edit your comment, and any identifying or 
contact information provided in the body of a comment will be included 
as part of the comment that is placed in the official public docket, 
and made available in EPA's electronic public docket. If EPA cannot 
read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you 
for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment.
    i. EPA Dockets. Your use of EPA's electronic public docket to 
submit comments to EPA electronically is EPA's preferred method for 
receiving comments. Go directly to EPA Dockets at http://www.epa.gov/edocket/, and follow the online instructions for submitting comments. 
Once in the system, select ``search,'' and then key in docket ID number 
OPP-2005-0291. The system is an ``anonymous access'' system, which 
means EPA will not know your identity, e-mail address, or other contact 
information unless you provide it in the body of your comment.
    ii. E-mail. Comments may be sent by e-mail to [email protected], 
Attention: Docket ID Number OPP-2005-0291. In contrast to EPA's 
electronic public docket, EPA's e-mail system is not an ``anonymous 
access'' system. If you send an e-mail comment directly to the docket 
without going through EPA's electronic public docket, EPA's e-mail 
system automatically captures your e-mail address. E-mail addresses 
that are automatically captured by EPA's e-mail system are included as 
part of the comment that is placed in the official public docket, and 
made available in EPA's electronic public docket.
    iii. Disk or CD ROM. You may submit comments on a disk or CD ROM 
that you mail to the mailing address identified in Unit III.A. These 
electronic submissions will be accepted in WordPerfect or ASCII file 
format. Avoid the use of special characters and any form of encryption.
    2. By mail. Send your comments to: Public Information and Records 
Integrity Branch (PIRIB) (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460-0001, Attention: Docket ID Number OPP-2005-0291.
    3. By hand delivery or courier. Deliver your comments to: Public 
Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Office of Pesticide 
Programs (OPP), Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. 119, Crystal Mall 
2, 1801 S. Bell St., Arlington, VA, Attention: Docket ID 
Number OPP-2005-0291. Such deliveries are only accepted during the 
docket's normal hours of operation as identified in Unit II.A.

B. How Should I Submit CBI to the Agency?

    Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI 
electronically through EPA's electronic public docket or by e-mail. You 
may claim information that you submit to EPA as CBI by marking any part 
or all of that information as CBI (if you submit CBI on disk or CD ROM, 
mark the outside of the disk or CD ROM as CBI and then identify 
electronically within the disk or CD ROM the specific information that 
is 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 docket and EPA's electronic public docket. If you submit 
the copy that does not contain CBI on disk or CD ROM, mark the outside 
of the disk or CD ROM clearly that it does not contain CBI. Information 
not marked as CBI will be included in the public docket and EPA's 
electronic public docket 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.

C. What Should I Consider when I Prepare My Comments for EPA?

    You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your 
comments:
    1. Explain your views as clearly as possible.
    2. Describe any assumptions that you used.
    3. Provide copies of any technical information and/or data you used 
that support your views.
    4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you 
arrived at the estimate that you provide.
    5. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns.
    6. Offer alternative ways to improve the collection activity.
    7. Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline in this 
notice.
    8. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, be sure to identify the docket 
ID number assigned to this action in the subject line on the first page 
of your response. You may also provide the name, date, and Federal 
Register citation.

D. What Information is EPA Particularly Interested in?

    Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, EPA specifically 
solicits comments and information to enable it to:
    1. Evaluate whether the proposed collections of information are 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility.
    2. Evaluate the accuracy of the Agency's estimates of the burdens 
of the proposed collections of information.
    3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected.
    4. Minimize the burden of the collections of information on those 
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated 
or electronic collection technologies or other forms of information 
technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

IV. What Information Collection Activity or ICR Does this Action Apply 
to?

    EPA is seeking comments on the following ICR:
    Title: Tolerance Petitions for Pesticides on Food/Feed Crops and 
New Inert Ingredients.
    ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 0597.09, OMB Control No. 2070-0024.
    ICR status: This is a request to renew an existing ICR that is 
currently

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approved and due to expire on August 31, 2006. The ICR describes the 
nature of the information collection activity and its expected burden 
and costs.
    Abstract: The use of pesticides to increase crop production often 
results in pesticide residues in or on the crop. To protect the public 
health from unsafe pesticide residues, EPA sets limits on the nature 
and level of residues permitted pursuant to section 408 of the Federal 
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). A pesticide may not be used on 
food or feed crops unless the Agency has established a tolerance 
(maximum residue limit) for the pesticide residues on that crop, or 
established an exemption from the requirement to have a tolerance.
    It is EPA's responsibility to ensure that the maximum residue 
levels likely to be found in or on food/feed crops are safe for human 
consumption through a careful review and evaluation of residue 
chemistry and toxicology data. In addition it must ensure that adequate 
enforcement of the tolerance can be achieved through the testing of 
submitted analytical methods. Once the data are deemed adequate to 
support the findings, EPA will establish the tolerance or grant an 
exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.
    There are basically three types of tolerance actions:
     Permanent tolerance (or an exemption from the requirement 
for a permanent tolerance) for residues which would result from a 
pesticide use registered under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and 
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
     Temporary tolerance (or an exemption from the requirement 
for a temporary tolerance) to permit the sale of commodities containing 
residues resulting from authorized experimental use of an unregistered 
pesticide.
     Time-limited tolerance (or an exemption from the 
requirement for a time-limited tolerance) to permit the sale of 
commodities containing residues resulting from a pesticide whose use 
was authorized under section 18 of FIFRA.
    This ICR only applies to the information collection activities 
associated with the submission of a petition for a tolerance action.

V. What are EPA's Burden and Cost Estimates for this ICR?

    Under the PRA, ``burden'' means the total time, effort, or 
financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, 
or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal Agency. For this 
collection it includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, 
acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes 
of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and 
maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; 
adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable 
instructions and requirements; train personnel to be able to respond to 
a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review 
the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the 
information.
    The ICR provides a detailed explanation of this estimate, which is 
only briefly summarized in this notice. The annual public burden is 
258,900 hours. The following is a summary of the estimates taken from 
the ICR:
    Respondents/affected entities: Any person seeking a tolerance 
action.
    Estimated total number of potential respondents: 150.
    Frequency of response: A petition is required only once for each 
raw or processed commodity on which the pesticide is used.
    Estimated total/average number of responses for each respondent: 1.
    Estimated total annual burden hours: 258,900.
    Estimated total annual burden costs: $23,973,150.

VI. Are There Changes in the Estimates from the Last Approval?

    Respondent costs for this ICR have increased due to inflationary 
adjustments in labor rates for both respondents and Agency personnel. 
As a result, there is an increase of $537,450 in the estimated total 
annual respondent cost (from $23,435,700 to $23,973,150).

VII. What is the Next Step in the Process for this ICR?

    EPA will consider the comments received and amend the ICR as 
appropriate. The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for 
review and approval pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12. EPA will issue another 
Federal Register notice pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.5(a)(1)(iv) to announce 
the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to submit 
additional comments to OMB. If you have any questions about this ICR or 
the approval process, please contact the person listed under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.


    Dated: November 3, 2005.
Susan B. Hazen,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic 
Substances.

[FR Doc. 05-22549 Filed 11-15-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S