[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 77 (Thursday, April 21, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23491-23493]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-09289]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OPP-2015-0774; FRL-9944-31]
2-(Decylthio) Ethanamine Hydrochloride, Aliphatic Alcohols C1-C5,
Bentazon, Propoxur, Propoxycarbazone-sodium, Sodium Acifluorfen,
Thidiazuron; Registration Review Proposed Interim Decisions; Notice of
Availability
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of EPA's proposed
interim registration review and opens a public comment period on the
proposed interim decisions. 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
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.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 20, 2016.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by the docket
identification (ID) number for the specific pesticide of interest
provided in the Table in Unit II., by one of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit
electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business
Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted
by statute.
Mail: OPP Docket, Environmental Protection Agency Docket
Center (EPA/DC), (28221T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Washington, DC
20460-0001.
Hand Delivery: To make special arrangements for hand
delivery or delivery of boxed information, please follow the
instructions at http://www.epa.gov/dockets/contacts.html.
Additional instructions on commenting or visiting the docket, along
with more information about dockets generally, is available at http://www.epa.gov/dockets.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For pesticide specific information,
contact: The Chemical Review Manager for the pesticide of interest
identified in the Table in Unit II.
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 for the pesticide of interest
identified in the Table in Unit II.
B. What should I consider as I prepare my comments for EPA?
1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit this information to EPA through
regulations.gov or email. Clearly mark the part or all of the
information that you claim to be CBI. For CBI information in a disk or
CD-ROM that you mail to EPA, 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 claimed as CBI. In addition to one
complete version of the comment that includes 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.
Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance with
procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2.
2. Tips for preparing your comments. When preparing and submitting
your comments, see the commenting tips at http://www.epa.gov/dockets/comments.html.
II. What action is the agency taking?
Pursuant to 40 CFR 155.58, this notice announces the availability
of EPA's proposed interim registration review decisions for the
pesticides shown in the Table in this unit and opens a 60-day public
comment period on the proposed interim decisions.
Table--Registration Review Proposed Interim Decisions
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Chemical review
Registration review case Pesticide Docket ID manager, telephone
name and No. No. number, email
address
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2-(Decylthio)ethanamine EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0336 Sanyvette Williams,
hydrochloride (DTEA-HCl) williams.sanyvette@
(Case 5029). epa.gov, (703) 305-
7702.
Aliphatic Alcohols, C1-C5 EPA-HQ-OPP-2012-0340 Sanyvette Williams,
(Case 4003). [email protected], (703) 305-
7702.
Bentazon (Case 0182)........ EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0117 Moana Appleyard,
[email protected], (703) 308-
8175.
[[Page 23492]]
Propoxur (Case 2555)........ EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0806 Brittany Pruitt,
[email protected], (703) 347-
0289.
Propoxycarbazone-sodium EPA-HQ-OPP-2015-0095 Marianne Mannix,
(Case 7264). [email protected], (703) 347-
0275.
Sodium Acifluorfen (Case EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0135 Nathan Sell,
2605). [email protected]
, (703) 347-8020.
Thidiazuron (Case 4092)..... EPA-HQ-OPP-2015-0381 Khue Nguyen,
[email protected]
, (703) 347-0248.
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DTEA HCl is a biocide registered for use in cooling water systems
to control bacterial, fungal, and algal slimes. An ecological risk
assessment identified potential ecological risks to aquatic organisms.
To address these potential risks, EPA is proposing label language
changes to reduce discharge into bodies of water, limit use frequency
and location, and reduce certain use rates. A final decision will be
made after Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Endocrine Disruptor
Screening Program (EDSP) determinations have been made.
The aliphatic alcohols, C1-C5 case contains two active ingredients,
ethanol and isopropyl alcohol, which are registered for use as
sanitizers, disinfectants and bactericides on agricultural premises and
equipment, medical premises and equipment, industrial areas,
residential and public access areas, in antifouling paints for boats,
and as a plant growth regulator. The Agency has concluded that there
are no human or ecological risk concerns associated with the pesticidal
uses of aliphatic alcohols, C1-C5 based on use patterns and chemical
characteristics. Additionally, no additional data are required in
support of this registration review case, and a ``no effect''
determination has been made for endangered species and designated
critical habitat for such species. A final decision will be made after
the EDSP determination has been made.
Bentazon is a selective, contact, early post-emergence herbicide
registered to control broadleaf weeds and sedges in numerous
agricultural field crops, including corn, soybeans, beans, rice,
cereals, and potatoes, and for use in and around trees and vines of
various fruit and nut crops. Bentazon is also registered for use to
control weeds in residential and recreational lawns and around
ornamental plants. EPA published draft registration review human health
and ecological risk assessments in 2014. The Agency has concluded that
bentazon does not pose human health risks of concern. The ecological
risk assessment concluded that there are risks of concern for
terrestrial and semi-aquatic plants and acute risks for some birds and
mammals. The Agency is proposing that bentazon labels include drift and
herbicide resistance management language and increased spray droplet
sizes, and allow one application annually except under specific
circumstances to reduce risks to non-target plants and wildlife. This
proposed interim decision does not include a finding under the EDSP,
nor does it contain a complete ESA or pollinator component for
bentazon.
The registration review docket for propoxur opened in December
2009. Propoxur is an N-methyl residual carbamate insecticide registered
for use to control ticks, fleas, and a variety of insects in-and-around
industrial, commercial, and residential facilities. EPA published draft
registration review human health and ecological risk assessments in
July 2015. For the human health assessment, the Agency concluded that
propoxur posed risks of concern from dietary and residential post
application exposure. A voluntary final cancellation order was issued
for the following uses, which fully mitigated the human health risks of
concerns: All indoor aerosol, spray, and liquid formulations; use in
food handling establishments; and indoor crack and crevice uses were
cancelled effective September 22, 2015. The draft ecological risk
assessment initially concluded that there were no risks of concern to
non-listed species nor to listed species, except for listed aquatic
invertebrates from outdoor spot treatment use made near aquatic water
bodies. However, additional information on the use of propoxur outdoor
spot treatments support that this use is not likely to result in
quantities of active ingredient that would result in potential effects
to listed aquatic species. Therefore, the draft propoxur ecological
risk assessment has been amended to reflect this use information and is
posted to the propoxur docket at this time. The amended ecological risk
assessment indicates that there is no reasonable expectation for any
registered use of propoxur to cause direct or indirect adverse effects
to threatened and endangered species. A ``no effect'' determination was
made for all federally listed species and designated critical habitat.
Propoxur has not been evaluated under the EDSP. Therefore, the Agency's
final registration review decision is dependent upon the result of the
evaluation of potential endocrine disruptor risk. In addition, a
pollinator risk assessment will not be required for propoxur due to
negligible exposure pathways to terrestrial invertebrates (honeybees).
Pending the EDSP determination action, EPA is planning to issue an
interim registration review decision for propoxur.
Propoxycarbazone-sodium is an herbicide that controls post-emergent
grasses and broadleaf weeds including cheat grass, downy brome, jointed
goatgrass, pigweed, wild oat, and mustard in wheat and triticale. EPA
conducted a comprehensive human health risk assessment which indicated
that there are no risks of concern for human health. The ecological
risk assessment indicated that there are potential risks of concern for
non-target terrestrial plant species from all uses of propoxycarbazone
sodium, which is consistent with the herbicidal mode of action. To
reduce risk to non-target terrestrial plants, the Agency is proposing
several spray drift reduction measures. The Agency is also proposing
herbicide resistance management language to be included on all
propoxycarbazone-sodium labels. This proposed interim decision does not
include an endangered species determination, or any human health or
environmental safety findings associated with the EDSP. The Agency's
final registration review decision is dependent upon the assessment of
risks to threatened and endangered species, potential endocrine
disruptor risk, and an assessment of risks to bees.
[[Page 23493]]
Sodium acifluorfen is an herbicide that is registered for control
of broadleaf weeds in soybean, peanuts, rice, and strawberry. EPA
conducted a comprehensive human health risk assessment, which indicated
that there are no risks of concern for human health. The ecological
risk assessment indicated that there are potential risks of concern for
non-target terrestrial plant species from the aerial use of sodium
acifluorfen. To reduce risk to non-target terrestrial plants from
aerial spray drift, the Agency is proposing the deletion of aerial use
on strawberries and the implementation of uniform spray drift
management language across all labels. The Agency is also proposing the
inclusion of herbicide resistance management language on all sodium
acifluorfen labels. This proposed interim decision does not include an
endangered species determination, or any human health or environmental
safety findings associated with the EDSP. The Agency's final
registration review decision is dependent upon a finding under ESA, an
EDSP determination, and an assessment of risks to bees.
Thidiazuron is a plant growth regulator applied as a pre-harvest
defoliant to cotton in southern states such as Mississippi, Texas, and
Georgia. Thidiazuron reduces foliage, dry leaves, and immature fruiting
structures, at the time of harvest, which contribute to the staining of
harvested cotton. Quantitative human health and ecological risk
assessments, including a screening-level endangered species risk
assessment, were conducted for thidiazuron. EPA did not identify any
human health risks. EPA identified possible risk to non-target
terrestrial plants from use of thidiazuron. In its proposed interim
decision, EPA is proposing risk mitigation to reduce spray drift to
non-target terrestrial plants. EPA is making no human health or
environmental safety findings associated with the EDSP screening of
thidiazuron, nor is it making an endangered species finding. EPA's
registration review decision for thidiazuron will depend upon the
result of an EDSP Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act section 408(p)
determination, complete pollinator determination, and an endangered
species determination.
The registration review docket for a pesticide generally includes
earlier documents related to the registration review of the case. For
example, the review opened with a Summary Document, containing a
Preliminary Work Plan, for public comment. A Final Work Plan was placed
in the docket following public comment on the initial docket. The
documents in the docket describe EPA's rationales for conducting
additional risk assessments for the registration review of the
pesticides included in the Table in this unit, as well as the Agency's
subsequent risk findings and consideration of possible risk mitigation
measures. These proposed interim registration decisions are supported
by the rationales included in those documents. Following public
comment, the Agency will issue interim registration review decisions
for products containing the pesticides listed in the Table in this
unit.
The registration review program is being conducted under
congressionally mandated time frames, and EPA recognizes the need both
to make timely decisions and to involve the public. Section 3(g) of the
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (7 U.S.C.
136a(g)) required EPA to establish by regulation procedures for
reviewing pesticide registrations, originally with a goal of reviewing
each pesticide's registration every 15 years to ensure that a pesticide
continues to meet the FIFRA standard for registration. The Agency's
final rule to implement this program was issued in August 2006 and
became effective in October 2006, and appears at 40 CFR part 155,
subpart C. The Pesticide Registration Improvement Act of 2003 (PRIA)
was amended and extended in September 2007. FIFRA, as amended by PRIA
in 2007, requires EPA to complete registration review decisions by
October 1, 2022, for all pesticides registered as of October 1, 2007.
The registration review final rule at 40 CFR 155.58(a) provides for
a minimum 60-day public comment period on all proposed interim
registration review decisions. This comment period is intended to
provide an opportunity for public input and a mechanism for initiating
any necessary amendments to the proposed interim decision. All comments
should be submitted using the methods in ADDRESSES, and must be
received by EPA on or before the closing date. These comments will
become part of the docket for the pesticides included in the Table in
this unit. Comments received after the close of the comment period will
be marked ``late.'' EPA is not required to consider these late
comments.
The Agency will carefully consider all comments received by the
closing date and will provide a ``Response to Comments Memorandum'' in
the docket. The interim registration review decision will explain the
effect that any comments had on the interim decision and provide the
Agency's response to significant comments.
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 these pesticides are provided at:
http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/registration_review/reg_review_status.htm.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.
Dated: April 13, 2016.
Yu-Ting Guilaran,
Director, Pesticide Re-Evaluation Division, Office of Pesticide
Programs.
[FR Doc. 2016-09289 Filed 4-20-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P