[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 130 (Wednesday, July 8, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39105-39107]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16406]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2015-0393; FRL-9929-24]


Registration Review Interim Decisions; Notice of Availability

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of EPA's interim 
registration review decisions for the pesticides listed in the table in 
Unit II of this notice. Registration review is EPA's periodic review of 
pesticide registrations to ensure that each pesticide continues to 
satisfy the statutory standard for registration, that is, that the 
pesticide can perform its intended function without causing 
unreasonable adverse effects on human health or the environment. 
Through this program, EPA is ensuring that each pesticide's 
registration is based on current scientific and other knowledge, 
including its effects on human health and the environment. This 
document also announces the Agency's closure of the registration review 
docket diclofop-methyl. All pesticide products containing diclofop-
methyl have been cancelled.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For pesticide specific information, 
contact the Chemical Review Manager identified in the table in Unit II. 
for the pesticide of interest.
    For general information on the registration review program, 
contact: Richard Dumas, Pesticide Re-Evaluation Division (7508P), 
Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: 
(703) 308-8015; email 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, farm worker, 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 Chemical Review Manager identified in the table in Unit II. 
for the pesticide of interest.

B. How can I get copies of this document and other related information?

    The docket for this action, identified by docket identification 
(ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2015-0393, is available at http://www.regulations.gov or at the Office of Pesticide Programs Regulatory 
Public Docket (OPP Docket) in the Environmental Protection Agency 
Docket Center (EPA/DC), West William Jefferson Clinton Bldg., Rm. 3334, 
1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001. The Public 
Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public 
Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the OPP 
Docket is (703) 305-5805. Please review the visitor instructions and 
additional information about the docket available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.

II. What action is the agency taking?

    Pursuant to 40 CFR 155.58(c), this notice announces the 
availability of EPA's interim registration review decisions for the 
pesticides in the following table:

[[Page 39106]]



              Table--Registration Review Interim Decisions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Chemical review
  Registration review case name                           manager and
             and No.                 Docket ID No.          contact
                                                          information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acetic acid and sodium            EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-00  Cathryn Britton,
 diacetate, 4001.                  16.                 [email protected], (703) 308-
                                                       0136.
Fosetyl-Al, 0646................  EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-03  Ricardo Jones,
                                   79.                 [email protected], (703) 347-
                                                       0493.
Picaridin, 7433.................  EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-03  Ricardo Jones,
                                   41.                 [email protected], (703) 347-
                                                       0493.
Sodium fluoride, 3132...........  EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-06  SanYvette
                                   55.                 Williams,
                                                       [email protected], (703)
                                                       305-7702.
Yellow mustard seed/sulfonic      EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-07  Roy Johnson,
 acid salts, 7619/7618.            62.                 [email protected], (703) 347-
                                                       0492.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The registration review final decisions for these cases are 
dependent on the assessments of listed species under the Endangered 
Species Act (ESA), determinations on the potential for endocrine 
disruption, and/or pollinator risk assessments.
    Acetic acid and sodium diacetate (Interim Decision). The 
registration review docket for acetic acid and sodium diacetate opened 
in March 2008. Acetic acid and sodium diacetate are two different 
active ingredients; sodium diacetate is a salt of acetic acid. Acetic 
acid is used as a preservative for post-harvest stored grains and hay 
intended for livestock feed. It is also applied as a non-selective 
herbicide for control of broadleaf weeds and grasses. Sodium diacetate 
is a fungicide and bactericide registered to control molds and 
bacteria. It is applied to hay to prevent spoilage and to silage as an 
aid in fermentation. The Agency has determined that previous human 
health assessments for acetic acid and sodium diacetate are sufficient 
for registration review and no human health risks of concern have been 
identified. The Agency completed a comprehensive ecological risk 
assessment for the nonselective herbicide use of acetic acid, including 
an endangered species assessment, and a qualitative ecological risk 
assessment for sodium diacetate. The Agency has made a No Effect 
determination for acetic acid used as a nonselective herbicide and all 
currently registered uses of sodium diacetate for all non-target 
organisms. EPA published the Acetic Acid and Sodium Diacetate Proposed 
Interim Decision in December 2014. One comment was received from the 
Center for Biological Diversity concurring with EPA's No Effect 
determination. No risk mitigation measures for human health or 
ecological effects are included in the interim decision.
    Fosetyl-Al (Interim Decision). Fosetyl-Al is a phosphonate 
fungicide registered for use to control various oomycyete pathogens 
that cause fungal diseases on numerous crops. Fosetyl-Al is registered 
for use on agricultural crops including avocado, caneberries, citrus, 
grape, stone fruit, strawberry, certain tree nuts, tobacco, and certain 
vegetables. It is also registered for commercial use on ornamentals, 
turf, and conifer nurseries. EPA conducted quantitative risk 
assessments for both human health and ecological risk. The Agency also 
completed a partial screening level endangered species assessment, 
making a No Effects determination for listed species of fish, aquatic 
invertebrates, aquatic plans, and monocot plants. No human health risks 
of concern were identified. The ecological risk assessment indicated 
potential risks to birds, mammals, terrestrial and aquatic plants, and 
terrestrial invertebrates. In the Federal Register of December 24, 2014 
(79 FR 77480) (FRL-9919-24), the Agency issued its Proposed Interim 
Registration Review Decision for fosetyl-Al for public comment. 
Fourteen comments were received, including comments on the Agency's 
proposal to increase the Restricted Entry Interval, require additional 
pollinator data and add pollinator advisory language to labels. The 
Agency's Interim Decision modifies the application directions for 
fosetyl-Al to mitigate ecological risks and updates labels to reflect 
current Agency policy for worker protection. It does not require 
additional pollinator data or pollinator advisory language on the 
product labels.
    Picaridin (Interim Decision). Picaridin is a broad-spectrum insect 
repellent registered for use against biting flies, chiggers, fleas, 
mosquitoes, and ticks. Picaridin is labeled for use on human skin and 
footwear. The Agency completed qualitative ecological and human health 
risk assessments for picaridin, and found no risks of concern. The 
Agency has made a No Effects determination under the Endangered Species 
Assessment (ESA) for all listed species and No Modification of 
designated critical habitat for such species. In the Federal Register 
of December 24, 2014 (79 FR 77480) (FRL-9919-24), EPA issued the 
Combined Work Plan and Proposed Interim Registration Review Decision, 
indicating that no additional data would be needed for the picaridin 
registration review. Two comments were received, neither of which 
modified the proposed decision or work plan for picaridin. No risk 
mitigation measures for human health or ecological effects are included 
in the interim decision.
    Sodium fluoride (Interim Decision). Sodium fluoride is registered 
for use as a wood preservative to protect the groundline portion of 
existing wooden utility poles. It is formulated as an impregnated pole 
wrap material. This use is not expected to result in direct or indirect 
food or drinking water exposure. Occupational and residential exposure 
is minimal by the dermal and inhalation routes, and the Agency has 
determined that a human health risk assessment was not needed. Based on 
the lack of potential exposure and toxic effects to fish, aquatic 
invertebrates, and birds, the Agency has made a No Effect determination 
for federally listed species and designated critical habitat.
    Yellow mustard seed/sulfonic acid salts (Interim Decision). Yellow 
mustard seed and sulfonic acid salts are co-formulated as a rodenticide 
registered for the control of ground squirrels in rangelands, 
ornamental plantings, seed orchards and nurseries, golf courses, parks, 
and rights-of-way. The product is delivered into burrows occupied by 
these rodents through a modified hand-held spray wand with an 
aspirating muzzle to facilitate foaming action. The Agency relied on 
qualitative assessments conducted for yellow mustard seed/sulfonic acid 
salts at the time of the initial registration, and the Agency did not 
believe that updated or quantitative assessments were needed for 
registration review. No human health risks of concern or risks of

[[Page 39107]]

concern to non-listed species have been identified. No risk mitigation 
measures for human health or ecological effects are included in the 
interim decision.
    Case Closure for Diclofop-methyl (PC Code: 110902, Case: 2160). 
Diclofop-methyl is an herbicide which was labeled for use on wheat, 
barley, and golf course turf. On October 23, 2014, the Agency received 
a request for voluntary cancellation of diclofop-methyl from the 
technical and end-use registrants; Bayer CropScience and Bayer 
Environmental Science, respectively. EPA subsequently issued a Federal 
Register notice announcing receipt of the request (FRL-9396-04), and 
allowed a 30-day period for public comment on the request. No 
substantive comments were received, and on June 10, 2015, EPA issued 
the cancellation order for all remaining registrations of products 
containing diclofop-methyl (FRL-9968-03), which sets out the existing 
stocks policy for such products. With the cancellation of all remaining 
diclofop-methyl products, the Agency is announcing the closure of the 
registration review case for the active ingredient.
    Pursuant to 40 CFR 155.57, a registration review decision is the 
Agency's determination whether a pesticide meets, or does not meet, the 
standard for registration in FIFRA. EPA has considered the pesticides 
listed in the table in this unit in light of the FIFRA standard for 
registration. The Interim Decision documents for these pesticides in 
the docket describe the Agency's rationale for issuing a registration 
review interim decision for this pesticide.
    In addition to an interim registration review decision document, 
the registration review docket for each of these pesticides may also 
include other relevant documents related to the registration review of 
the case. A proposed interim registration review decision was 
previously posted to each docket and the public was invited to submit 
any comments or new information relevant to the proposal.
    EPA has addressed the substantive comments and information received 
during the 60-day comment period in the discussion for each pesticide 
listed in this document. During the 60-day comment period, no public 
comments were received for any of these cases that resulted in changes 
in the Agency's interim decisions.
    Pursuant to 40 CFR 155.58(c), the registration review case docket 
for each pesticide discussed in this notice will remain open until all 
actions required in the interim decision have been completed.
    Background on the registration review program is provided at: 
http://www2.epa.gov/pesticide-reevaluation. Links to earlier documents 
related to the registration review of the pesticide cases identified in 
this notice are provided in the Pesticide Chemical Search data base 
accessible at: http://iaspub.epa.gov/apex/pesticides/f?p=chemicalsearch.

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.

    Dated: June 26, 2015.
Richard P. Keigwin, Jr.,
Director, Pesticide Re-Evaluation Division, Office of Pesticide 
Programs.
[FR Doc. 2015-16406 Filed 7-7-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P