[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]


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

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.

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

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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Chemical review
  Registration review case     Pesticide Docket ID   manager, telephone
        name and No.                   No.              number, email
                                                           address
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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