[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 20 (Wednesday, January 31, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4505-4506]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-1517]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2004-0372; FRL-8112-7]


Fluometuron Reregistration Eligibility Decision

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of EPA's Reregistration 
Eligibility Decision (RED) for the pesticide fluometuron. The Agency's 
risk assessments and other related documents also are available in the 
fluometuron Docket. Fluometuron is a phenylurea herbicide that is used 
only on cotton. EPA has reviewed fluometuron through the public 
participation process that the Agency uses to involve the public in 
developing pesticide reregistration and tolerance reassessment 
decisions. Through these programs, EPA is ensuring that all pesticides 
meet current health and safety standards.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kylie Rothwell, Special Review and 
Reregistration Division (7508P), Office of Pesticide Programs, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: 703-308-8055; fax number: 
703-308-8005; e-mail address:[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

    This action is directed to the public in general, and may be of 
interest to a wide range of stakeholders including environmental, human 
health, and agricultural advocates; the chemical industry; pesticide 
users; and members of the public interested in the sale, distribution, 
or use of pesticides. Since others also may be interested, the Agency 
has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may be 
affected by this action. If you have any 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 Copies of this Document and Other Related Information?

    1. Docket. EPA has established a docket for this action under 
docket identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2004-0372. Publicly 
available docket materials are available either in the electronic 
docket at http://www.regulations.gov, or, if only available in hard 
copy, at the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) Regulatory Public 
Docket in Rm. S-4400, One Potomac Yard (South Building), 2777 S. 
Crystal Drive Arlington, VA. The hours of operation of this Docket 
Facility are from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding 
legal holidays. The Docket telephone number is (703) 305-5805.
    2. 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.

II. Background

A. What Action is the Agency Taking?

    Under section 4 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and 
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is reevaluating existing pesticides to 
ensure that they meet current scientific and regulatory standards. EPA 
has completed a Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for the 
pesticide, fluometuron under section 4(g)(2)(A) of FIFRA. Fluometuron 
is a phenylurea herbicide that is used only on cotton. EPA has 
determined that the data base to support reregistration is 
substantially complete and that products containing fluometuron are 
eligible for reregistration provided the risks are mitigated either in 
the manner described in the RED or by another means that achieves 
equivalent risk reduction. Upon submission of any required product 
specific data under section 4(g)(2)(B) and any necessary changes to the 
registration and labeling (either to address concerns identified in the 
RED or as a result of product specific data), EPA will make a final 
reregistration decision under section 4(g)(2)(C) for products 
containing fluometuron.
    EPA was required to review tolerances and tolerance exemptions that 
were in effect when the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) was enacted 
in August 1996, to ensure that these existing pesticide residue limits 
for food and feed commodities meet the safety standard established by 
the new law. Tolerances are considered reassessed once the safety 
finding has been made or a revocation occurs. EPA has reviewed and made 
the requisite safety finding for the fluometuron tolerances included in 
this notice.
    Although the fluometuron RED was signed on September 28, 2005, 
certain components of the document, which did not affect the final 
regulatory decision, were undergoing final editing at that time. These 
components, including the list of additional generic data

[[Page 4506]]

requirements, summary of labeling changes, appendices, and other 
relevant information, have been added to the fluometuron RED document. 
In addition, subsequent to signature, EPA identified several minor 
errors and ambiguities in the document. Therefore, for the sake of 
accuracy, the Agency also has included the appropriate error 
corrections, amendments, and clarifications. None of these additions or 
changes alter the conclusions documented in the September 28, 2005, 
fluometuron RED.
    EPA is applying the principles of public participation to all 
pesticides undergoing reregistration and tolerance reassessment. The 
Agency's Pesticide Tolerance Reassessment and Reregistration; Public 
Participation Process, published in the Federal Register on May 14, 
2004, (69 FR 26819)(FRL-7357-9) explains that in conducting these 
programs, EPA is tailoring its public participation process to be 
commensurate with the level of risk, extent of use, complexity of 
issues, and degree of public concern associated with each pesticide. 
Due to its uses, risks, and other factors, fluometuron was reviewed 
through the modified 4-Phase public participation process. Through this 
process, EPA worked extensively with stakeholders and the public to 
reach the regulatory decisions for fluometuron.
    The reregistration program is being conducted under Congressionally 
mandated time frames, and EPA recognizes the need both to make timely 
decisions and to involve the public. Opportunities for public comment 
were offered at the initial docket opening in April 2005 and as this 
decision was being developed. Further, issues related to fluometuron 
were resolved through consultations with stakeholders. The Agency 
therefore is issuing the fluometuron RED without a comment period.

B. What is the Agency's Authority for Taking this Action?

    Section 4(g)(2) of FIFRA as amended, directs that, after submission 
of all data concerning a pesticide active ingredient, ``the 
Administrator shall determine whether pesticides containing such active 
ingredient are eligible for reregistration,'' before calling in product 
specific data on individual end-use products and either reregistering 
products or taking other ``appropriate regulatory action.''
    Section 408(q) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), 
21 U.S.C. 346a(q), required EPA to review tolerances and exemptions for 
pesticide residues in effect as of August 2, 1996, to determine whether 
the tolerance or exemption met the requirements of section 408(b)(2) or 
(c)(2) of FFDCA.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests.


    Dated: January 24, 2007.
Peter Caulkins,
Acting Director, Special Review and Reregistration Division, Office of 
Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. E7-1517 Filed 1-30-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S