[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 143 (Monday, July 27, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 44321]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-18413]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Chapter I

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0818; FRL-9930-89]


Proposal To Mitigate Exposure to Bees From Acutely Toxic 
Pesticide Products; Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: EPA issued a notice in the Federal Register of May 29, 2015, 
concerning EPA's Proposal to Mitigate Exposure to Bees from Acutely 
Toxic Pesticide Products and a second notice on extending the comment 
period to July 29, 2015. This document extends the comment period for 
an additional 30 days, from July 29, 2015 to August 28, 2015. The 
Agency has received additional requests from multiple stakeholders to 
extend the comment period to allow them to adequately develop comments 
on this complex and important issue. EPA is granting the extension.

DATES: The comment period for the document published on May 29, 2015 
(80 FR 30644) is extended. Comments identified by docket identification 
(ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0818 must be received on or before August 
28, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Follow the detailed instructions provided under ADDRESSES in 
the Federal Register document of May 29, 2015 (80 FR 30644) (FRL-9927-
36).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Goodis, Pesticide Re-
Evaluation Division (7508P), Office of Pesticide Programs, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., 
Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (703) 308-8157; email 
address: [email protected], or Marietta Echeverria, Registration 
Division (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20460-
0001; telephone number: (703) 305-8578; email address: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document further extends the public 
comment period established in the Federal Register document of May 29, 
2015. In that document, EPA is seeking comment on a proposal to adopt 
mandatory pesticide label restrictions to protect managed bees under 
contract pollination services from foliar applications of pesticides 
that are acutely toxic to bees on a contact exposure basis. These label 
restrictions would prohibit applications of pesticide products, which 
are acutely toxic to bees, during bloom when bees are known to be 
present under contract. EPA is also seeking comment on a proposal to 
rely on efforts made by states and tribes to reduce pesticide exposures 
through development of locally-based measures, specifically through 
managed pollinator protection plans. These plans would include local 
and customizable mitigation measures to address certain scenarios that 
can result in exposure to pollinators. EPA intends to monitor the 
success of these plans in deciding whether further label restrictions 
are warranted. EPA is hereby extending the comment period, which was 
set to end on July 29, 2015 to August 28, 2015.
    To submit comments, or access the docket, please follow the 
detailed instructions provided under ADDRESSES in the Federal Register 
document of May 29, 2015. If you have questions, consult the person 
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 136a.

    Dated: July 20, 2015.
Jack Housenger,
Director, Office of Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 2015-18413 Filed 7-24-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P