[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 145 (Monday, August 2, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41471-41472]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16344]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2017-0750; FRL-8638-01-OCSPP]


Pesticide Registration Review; Interim Decision for Paraquat 
Dichloride; Notice of Availability

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This document announces the availability of EPA's interim 
registration review decision for paraquat dichloride (paraquat).

ADDRESSES: The docket for this action, identified by docket 
identification (ID) number EPA-HQ-OPP-2021-0015, is available online at 
http://www.regulations.gov or in person 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.
    Due to the public health concerns related to COVID-19, the EPA 
Docket Center (EPA/DC) and Reading Room is closed to visitors with 
limited exceptions. The staff continues to provide remote customer 
service via email, phone, and webform. For the latest status 
information on EPA/DC services and docket access, visit http://www.epa.gov/dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical information contact: The 
Chemical Review Manager for paraquat identified in the Table in Unit 
IV.
    For general information on the registration review program, 
contact: Melanie Biscoe, Pesticide Re-Evaluation Division (7508P), 
Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: 
(703) 305-7106; 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, 
contact the Chemical Review Manager for paraquat identified in the 
Table in Unit IV.

B. What is registration review?

    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, the pesticide can perform 
its intended function without unreasonable adverse effects on human 
health or the environment. As part of the registration review process, 
the Agency has completed proposed interim decisions for all pesticides 
listed in the Table in Unit IV. 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.

II. Authority

    EPA is conducting its registration review of the chemicals listed 
in the Table in Unit IV pursuant to section 3(g) of the Federal 
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Procedural 
Regulations for Registration Review at 40 CFR part 155, subpart C. 
Section 3(g) of FIFRA provides, among other things, that the 
registrations of pesticides are to be reviewed every 15 years. Under 
FIFRA, a pesticide product may be registered or remain registered only 
if it meets the statutory standard for registration given in FIFRA 
section 3(c)(5) (7 U.S.C. 136a(c)(5)). When used in accordance with 
widespread and commonly recognized practice, the pesticide product must 
perform its intended function without unreasonable adverse effects on 
the environment; that is, without any unreasonable risk to man or the 
environment, or a human dietary risk from residues that result from the 
use of a pesticide in or on food.

III. What Action is the Agency Taking?

    Pursuant to 40 CFR 155.58, this notice announces the availability 
of EPA's interim registration review decision for paraquat. The interim 
registration review decision is supported by rationales included in the 
docket established for each chemical.

       Table 1--Registration Review Interim Decision Being Issued
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                                                        Chemical Review
  Registration Review Case Name                           Manager and
           and Number              Docket ID Number         Contact
                                                          Information
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Paraquat Dichloride Case Number   EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-08  Ana Pinto,
 0262.                             55.                 [email protected]
                                                       703-347-8421.
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    The proposed interim registration review decision for paraquat was 
posted to the docket and the public was invited to submit any comments 
or new information. EPA addressed the comments or information received

[[Page 41472]]

during the 80-day comment period for the proposed interim decision in 
the discussion for paraquat. Comments from the 80-day comment period 
that were received may or may not have affected the Agency's interim 
decision. Pursuant to 40 CFR 155.58(c), the registration review case 
docket for paraquat will remain open until all actions required in the 
interim decision have been completed.
    Background on the registration review program is provided at: 
http://www.epa.gov/pesticide-reevaluation.

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

    Dated: July 26, 2021.
Mary Reaves,
Acting Director, Pesticide Re-Evaluation Division, Office of Pesticide 
Programs.
[FR Doc. 2021-16344 Filed 7-30-21; 8:45 am]
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