[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 182 (Tuesday, September 20, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64350-64354]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-22499]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 52

[EPA-R09-OAR-2015-0807; FRL-9951-19-Region 9]


Approval of California Air Plan Revisions, Department of 
Pesticide Regulations

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking final 
action to approve revisions to the California Department of Pesticide 
Regulations (CDPR) portion of the California State Implementation Plan 
(SIP). These revisions concern emissions of volatile organic compounds 
(VOCs) from pesticides. The overall purpose of the new and revised 
regulations is to restrict the use of certain nonfumigant pesticide 
products applied to certain crops in the San Joaquin Valley ozone 
nonattainment area when VOC emissions meet or exceed 95% of the 18.1 
tons per day limit on VOC emissions, or 17.2 tons per day. The rules 
establish limits on the sale and use of high-VOC formulations of 
nonfumigant pesticide products that contain any of four specified 
primary active ingredients for use on seven specified crops grown in 
the San Joaquin Valley. We are approving these rules that regulate 
these emission sources under the Clean Air Act (CAA or the Act).

DATES: These rules will be effective on October 20, 2016.

ADDRESSES: The EPA has established a docket for this action under 
Docket ID No. EPA-R09-OAR-2015-0807. All documents in the docket are 
listed on the http://www.regulations.gov Web site. Although listed in 
the index, some information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or 
other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain 
other material, such as copyrighted material, is not placed on the 
Internet and will be publicly available only in hard copy form. 
Publicly available docket materials are available through http://www.regulations.gov, or please contact the person identified in the FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section for additional availability 
information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy Levin, EPA Region IX, (415) 972-
3848, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Throughout this document, ``we,'' ``us'' and 
``our'' refer to the EPA.

Table of Contents

I. Proposed Action
II. Public Comments and EPA Responses
III. EPA Action
IV. Incorporation by Reference
V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

I. Proposed Action

    On February 8, 2016 (81 FR 6481), the EPA proposed to approve the 
following rules into the California SIP.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Adopted/
           Local agency                   Rule #               Rule title            amended/        Submitted
                                                                                      revised
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CDPR.............................  3 CCR 6452.........  Reduced VOC Emissions           05/23/13        02/04/15
                                                         Field Fumigation
                                                         Methods.
CDPR.............................  3 CCR 6452.2.......  VOC Emission Limits.....        05/23/13        02/04/15
CDPR.............................  3 CCR 6558.........  Recommendations for Use         05/23/13        02/04/15
                                                         of Nonfumigants in the
                                                         San Joaquin Valley
                                                         (SJV) Ozone
                                                         Nonattainment Area
                                                         (NAA).
CDPR.............................  3 CCR 6577.........  Sales of Nonfumigants           05/23/13        02/04/15
                                                         for Use in the SJV
                                                         Ozone NAA.
CDPR.............................  3 CCR 6864.........  Criteria for Identifying        05/23/13        02/04/15
                                                         Pesticides as Toxic Air
                                                         Contaminants.

[[Page 64351]]

 
CDPR.............................  3 CCR 6880.........  Criteria to Designate           05/23/13        02/04/15
                                                         Low-VOC or High-VOC
                                                         Nonfumigant Pesticide
                                                         Products.
CDPR.............................  3 CCR 6881.........  Annual VOC Emissions            05/23/13        02/04/15
                                                         Inventory Report.
CDPR.............................  3 CCR 6883.........  Recommendation                  05/23/13        02/04/15
                                                         Requirements in the SJV
                                                         Ozone NAA.
CDPR.............................  3 CCR 6884.........  SJV Ozone NAA Use               05/23/13        02/04/15
                                                         Prohibitions.
CDPR.............................  3 CCR 6886.........  Dealer Responsibilities         05/23/13        02/04/15
                                                         for the SJV Ozone NAA.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The overall purpose of the new and revised regulations is to 
restrict the use of certain nonfumigant pesticide products applied to 
certain crops in the San Joaquin Valley ozone nonattainment area when 
VOC emissions meet or exceed 95% of the 18.1 tons per day limit on VOC 
emissions, or 17.2 tons per day. CDPR added or revised the rules 
specified above largely to establish limits on the sale and use of 
high-VOC formulations of nonfumigant pesticide products that contain 
abamectin, chlorpyrifos, gibberellins, or oxyfluorfen as their primary 
active ingredient, for use on any of the following seven crops: 
Alfalfa, almond, citrus, cotton, grape, pistachio, and walnut. We 
proposed to approve these rules because we determined that they 
complied with the relevant CAA requirements. Our proposed action 
contains more information on the rules and our evaluation.

II. Public Comments and EPA Responses

    The EPA's proposed action provided a 30-day public comment period. 
During this period, we received one comment.\1\ The commenter supported 
EPA approval of these rules because they are in line with California's 
efforts to reduce smog and improve the health of the environment, which 
improves the quality of life of its residents.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ See http://www.regulations.gov; Docket ID ``EPA-R09-OAR-
2015-0807-0076.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. EPA Action

    No adverse comments were submitted. Therefore, as authorized in 
section 110(k)(3) of the Act, the EPA is fully approving these rules 
into the California SIP.

IV. Incorporation by Reference

    In this rule, the EPA is finalizing regulatory text that includes 
incorporation by reference. In accordance with requirements of 1 CFR 
51.5, the EPA is finalizing the incorporation by reference of the 
California rules described in the amendments to 40 CFR part 52 set 
forth below. Therefore, these materials have been approved by EPA for 
inclusion in the State Implementation Plan, have been incorporated by 
reference by EPA into that plan, are fully federally enforceable under 
sections 110 and 113 of the CAA as of the effective date of the final 
rulemaking of EPA's approval, and will be incorporated by reference by 
the Director of the Federal Register in the next update to the SIP 
compilation.\2\ The EPA has made, and will continue to make, these 
documents available through www.regulations.gov and at the EPA Region 
IX Office (please contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this preamble for more information).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ 62 FR 27968 (May 22, 1997).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

V. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

    Under the Clean Air Act, the Administrator is required to approve a 
SIP submission that complies with the provisions of the Act and 
applicable federal regulations. 42 U.S.C. 7410(k); 40 CFR 52.02(a). 
Thus, in reviewing SIP submissions, the EPA's role is to approve state 
choices, provided that they meet the criteria of the Clean Air Act. 
Accordingly, this action merely approves state law as meeting federal 
requirements and does not impose additional requirements beyond those 
imposed by state law. For that reason, this action:
     Is not a significant regulatory action subject to review 
by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Orders 12866 (58 
FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21, 2011);
     does not impose an information collection burden under the 
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
     is certified as not having a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
     does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4);
     does not have Federalism implications as specified in 
Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999);
     is not an economically significant regulatory action based 
on health or safety risks subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 
19885, April 23, 1997);
     is not a significant regulatory action subject to 
Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001);
     is not subject to requirements of Section 12(d) of the 
National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 
note) because application of those requirements would be inconsistent 
with the Clean Air Act; and
     does not provide the EPA with the discretionary authority 
to address, as appropriate, disproportionate human health or 
environmental effects, using practicable and legally permissible 
methods, under Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994).
    In addition, the SIP is not approved to apply on any Indian 
reservation land or in any other area where the EPA or an Indian tribe 
has demonstrated that a tribe has jurisdiction. In those areas of 
Indian country, the rule does not have tribal implications and will not 
impose substantial direct costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal 
law as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 
2000).
    The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally 
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating 
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, 
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the 
United States. The EPA will submit a report containing this action and 
other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of 
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior 
to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot 
take effect until 60 days after it is published in the

[[Page 64352]]

Federal Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 
U.S.C. 804(2).
    Under section 307(b)(1) of the Clean Air Act, petitions for 
judicial review of this action must be filed in the United States Court 
of Appeals for the appropriate circuit by November 21, 2016. Filing a 
petition for reconsideration by the Administrator of this final rule 
does not affect the finality of this action for the purposes of 
judicial review nor does it extend the time within which a petition for 
judicial review may be filed, and shall not postpone the effectiveness 
of such rule or action. This action may not be challenged later in 
proceedings to enforce its requirements (see section 307(b)(2)).

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Incorporation by 
reference, Intergovernmental relations, Ozone, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Volatile organic compounds.

    Dated: August 9, 2016.
Alexis Strauss,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region IX.
    Chapter I, title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended 
as follows:

PART 52--APPROVAL AND PROMULGATION OF IMPLEMENTATION PLANS

0
1. The authority citation for part 52 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.

Subpart F--California

0
2. Section 52.220a in paragraph (c), table 1, is amended by:
0
a. Revising the entries for ``6452'' and ``6452.2'';
0
b. Removing the entry for ``6452.4'';
0
c. Adding a table entry titled ``Title 3 (Food and Agriculture), 
Division 6 (Pesticides and Pest Control Operations), Chapter 3 (Pest 
Control Operations), Subchapter 1 (Licensing), Article 5 (Agricultural 
Pest Control Adviser Licenses)'' after the entry for ``6452.3''; and 
under it, adding an entry for ``6558'';
0
d. Adding a table entry titled ``Title 3 (Food and Agriculture), 
Division 6 (Pesticides and Pest Control Operations), Chapter 3 (Pest 
Control Operations), Subchapter 1 (Licensing), Article 6 (Pest Control 
Dealer Licenses)'' after the new entry ``6558''; and under it, adding 
an entry for ``6577'';
0
e. Adding a table entry titled ``Title 3 (Food and Agriculture), 
Division 6 (Pesticides and Pest Control Operations), Chapter 4 
(Environmental Protection), Subchapter 2 (Air), Article 1 (Toxic Air 
Contaminants)'' after the entry ``6626''; and under it, adding an entry 
for ``6864''; and
0
f. Adding a table entry titled ``Title 3 (Food and Agriculture), 
Division 6 (Pesticides and Pest Control Operations), Chapter 4 
(Environmental Protection), Subchapter 2 (Air), Article 2 (Volatile 
Organic Compounds)'' after the new entry ``6864''; and under it, adding 
entries for ``6880'', ``6881'', ``6883'', ``6884'', and ``6886''.
    The additions and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  52.220a   Identification of plan--partial.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *

                                                Table 1--EPA-Approved Statutes and State Regulations \1\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              State effective
         State citation                 Title/Subject              date                  EPA Approval date                  Additional explanation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Title 3 (Food and Agriculture), Division 6 (Pesticides and Pest Control Operations), Chapter 2 (Pesticides), Subchapter 4 (Restricted Materials),
                                                       Article 4 (Field Fumigant Use Requirements)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
6452............................  Reduced Volatile Organic  November 1, 2013..  81 FR 6481, February 8, 2016.......  Amends previous version of rule
                                   Compound Emissions                                                                 approved at 77 FR 65294 (October
                                   Field Fumigation                                                                   26, 2012). Amended rule adopted by
                                   Methods.                                                                           the California Department of
                                                                                                                      Pesticide Regulation on May 23,
                                                                                                                      2013. Submitted on February 4,
                                                                                                                      2015.
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
6452.2..........................  Volatile Organic          November 1, 2013..  81 FR 6481, February 8, 2016.......  Amends previous version of rule
                                   Compound Emission                                                                  approved at 77 FR 65294 (October
                                   Limits.                                                                            26, 2012). Amended rule adopted by
                                                                                                                      the California Department of
                                                                                                                      Pesticide Regulation on May 23,
                                                                                                                      2013. Submitted on February 4,
                                                                                                                      2015.
                                                                      * * * * * * *

[[Page 64353]]

 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Title 3 (Food and Agriculture), Division 6 (Pesticides and Pest Control Operations), Chapter 3 (Pest Control Operations), Subchapter 1 (Licensing),
                                                 Article 5 (Agricultural Pest Control Adviser Licenses)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6558............................  Recommendations for Use   November 1, 2013..  81 FR 6481, February 8, 2016.......  Adopted by the California
                                   of Nonfumigants in the                                                             Department of Pesticide Regulation
                                   San Joaquin Valley                                                                 on May 23, 2013. Submitted on
                                   Ozone Nonattainment                                                                February 4, 2015.
                                   Area.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Title 3 (Food and Agriculture), Division 6 (Pesticides and Pest Control Operations), Chapter 3 (Pest Control Operations), Subchapter 1 (Licensing),
                                                        Article 6 (Pest Control Dealer Licenses)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6577............................  Sales of Nonfumigants     November 1, 2013..  81 FR 6481, February 8, 2016.......  Adopted by the California
                                   for Use in the San                                                                 Department of Pesticide Regulation
                                   Joaquin Valley Ozone                                                               on May 23, 2013. Submitted on
                                   Nonattainment Area.                                                                February 4, 2015.
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title 3 (Food and Agriculture), Division 6 (Pesticides and Pest Control Operations), Chapter 4 (Environmental Protection), Subchapter 2 (Air), Article 1
                                                                (Toxic Air Contaminants)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6864............................  Criteria for Identifying  November 1, 2013..  81 FR 6481, February 8, 2016.......  Adopted by the California
                                   Pesticides as Toxic Air                                                            Department of Pesticide Regulation
                                   Contaminants.                                                                      on May 23, 2013. Submitted on
                                                                                                                      February 4, 2015.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title 3 (Food and Agriculture), Division 6 (Pesticides and Pest Control Operations), Chapter 4 (Environmental Protection), Subchapter 2 (Air), Article 2
                                                              (Volatile Organic Compounds)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6880............................  Criteria to Designate     November 1, 2013..  September 20, 2016, [insert Federal  Adopted by the California
                                   Low-Volatile Organic                          Register citation].                  Department of Pesticide Regulation
                                   Compound (VOC) or High-                                                            on May 23, 2013. Submitted on
                                   VOC Nonfumigant                                                                    February 4, 2015.
                                   Pesticide Products.
6881............................  Annual Volatile Organic   November 1, 2013..  September 20, 2016, [insert Federal  Amends and renumbers previous
                                   Compound Emissions                            Register citation].                  version of rule approved at 77 FR
                                   Inventory Report.                                                                  65294 (October 26, 2012) as 3 CCR
                                                                                                                      Sec.   6452.4. Amended and
                                                                                                                      renumbered rule adopted by the
                                                                                                                      California Department of Pesticide
                                                                                                                      Regulation on May 23, 2013.
                                                                                                                      Submitted on February 4, 2015.
6883............................  Recommendation            November 1, 2013..  September 20, 2016, [insert Federal  Adopted by the California
                                   Requirements in the San                       Register citation].                  Department of Pesticide Regulation
                                   Joaquin Valley Ozone                                                               on May 23, 2013. Submitted on
                                   Nonattainment Area.                                                                February 4, 2015.
6884............................  San Joaquin Valley Ozone  November 1, 2013..  September 20, 2016, [insert Federal  Adopted by the California
                                   Nonattainment Area Use                        Register citation].                  Department of Pesticide Regulation
                                   Prohibitions.                                                                      on May 23, 2013. Submitted on
                                                                                                                      February 4, 2015.
6886............................  Dealer Responsibilities   November 1, 2013..  September 20, 2016, [insert Federal  Adopted by the California
                                   for the San Joaquin                           Register citation].                  Department of Pesticide Regulation
                                   Valley Ozone                                                                       on May 23, 2013. Submitted on
                                   Nonattainment Area.                                                                February 4, 2015.
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Table 1 lists EPA-approved California statutes and regulations incorporated by reference in the applicable SIP. Table 2 of paragraph (c) lists
  approved California test procedures, test methods and specifications that are cited in certain regulations listed in table 1. Approved California
  statutes that are nonregulatory or quasi-regulatory are listed in paragraph (e).


[[Page 64354]]

* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2016-22499 Filed 9-19-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P