Pesticides; Availability of Risk Assessments

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
 [Federal Register: August 18, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 161)]
[Notices]
[Page 50523-50524]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18au00-54]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPP-34235; FRL-6740-5]


Pesticides; Availability of Risk Assessments

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of risk assessments
that were developed as part of the EPA's process for making
Reregistration Eligibility Decisions (REDs) for pesticides and for
tolerance reassessments consistent with the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act of
1996 (FQPA). These risk assessments are the human health and ecological
risk assessments and related documents for vinclozolin. These risk
assessments are being released to the public as part of the joint
initiative between EPA and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to
strengthen stakeholder involvement and help ensure decisions made under
FQPA are transparent and based on the best available information. The
tolerance reassessment process will ensure that the United States
continues to have the safest and most abundant food supply.

DATES: The risk assessments and related documents are available in the
OPP Docket. While there is no formal public comment period, the Agency
will accept comments on the risk assessment documents. Comments
submitted within the first 30 days are most likely to be considered.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by mail, electronically, or in
person. Please follow the detailed instructions for each method as
provided in Unit II. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. To ensure proper
receipt by EPA, it is imperative that you identify docket control
number of the chemical of specific interest in the subject line on the
first page of your response.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Deanna Scher, Special Review and
Reregistration Division (7508W), Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (703) 308-7043; e-mail address:
scher.deanna@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

    This action is directed to the public in general, nevertheless, a
wide range of stakeholders will be interested in obtaining the risk
assessments for vinclozolin, including environmental, human health, and
agricultural advocates; the chemical industry; pesticide users; and
members of the public interested in the use of pesticides on food.
Since other entities 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 person listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

B. How Can I Get Additional Information, Including Copies of this
Document and Other Related Documents?

    1. Electronically. You may obtain electronic copies of this
document, and certain other related documents that might be available
electronically, from the EPA Internet Home Page at http://www.epa.gov/.
On the Home Page select ``Laws and Regulations'',`` Regulations and
Proposed Rules,'' and then look up the entry for this document under
the Federal Register--Environmental Documents. You can also go directly
to the Federal Register listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/. In
addition, copies of the pesticide risk assessments released to the
public may also be accessed at http: www.epa.gov/pesticides.
    2. In person. The Agency has established an official record for
this action under docket control numbers OPP-34235. The official record
consists of the documents specifically referenced in this action, and
other information related to this action, including any information
claimed as Confidential Business Information (CBI). This official
record includes the documents that are physically located in the
docket, as well as the documents that are referenced in those
documents. The public version of the official record does not include
any information claimed as CBI. The public version of the official
record, which includes printed, paper versions of any electronic
comments submitted during an applicable comment period is available for
inspection in the Public Information and Records Integrity

[[Page 50524]]

Branch (PIRIB), Rm. 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy.,
Arlington, VA, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday,
excluding legal holidays. The PIRIB telephone number is (703) 305-5805.

II. How Can I Respond to this Action?

A. How and to Whom Do I Submit Comments?

    You may submit comments through the mail, in person, or
electronically. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, it is imperative that
you identify docket control number for the specific chemical of
interest in the subject line on the first page of your response.
    1. By mail. Submit comments to: Public Information and Records
Integrity Branch, Information Resources and Services Division (7502C),
Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
    2. In person or by courier. Deliver comments to: Public Information
and Records Integrity Branch, Information Resources and Services
Division, Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection
Agency, Rm. 119, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington,
VA. The PIRIB is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday,
excluding legal holidays. The PIRIB telephone number is (703) 305-5805.
    3. Electronically. Submit electronic comments by e-mail to: ``opp-
docket@epa.gov,'' or you can submit a computer disk as described in
this unit. Do not submit any information electronically that you
consider to be CBI. Electronic comments must be submitted as an ASCII
file, avoiding the use of special characters and any form of
encryption. Comments and data will also be accepted on standard
computer disks in WordPerfect 6.1/8.0 or ASCII file format. All
comments in electronic form must be identified by the docket control
number of the chemical of specific interest. Electronic comments may
also be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries.

B. How Should I Handle CBI Information that I Want to Submit to the
Agency?

    Do not submit any information electronically that you consider to
be CBI. You may claim information that you submit to EPA in response to
this document as CBI by marking any part or all of that information as
CBI. Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance
with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2. In addition to one complete
version of the comment that includes any 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 version of the
official record. Information not marked confidential will be included
in the public version of the official record without prior notice. If
you have any questions about CBI or the procedures for claiming CBI,
please consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

III. What Action is the Agency Taking?

    EPA is making available to the public the risk assessments that
have been developed as part of EPA's process for tolerance reassessment
and reregistration. While there is no formal public comment period, the
Agency will accept comments on the risk assessment documents. Comments
submitted within the first 30 days are most likely to be considered.
REDs for pesticides developed under the interim process will be made
available for public comment.
    EPA and USDA have been using a pilot public participation process
for the assessment of organophosphate pesticides since August 1998. In
considering how to accomplish the movement from the current pilot being
used for the organophosphate pesticides to the public participation
process that will be used in the future for non-organophosphates, such
as vinclozolin, EPA and USDA have adopted an interim public
participation process for the non-organophosphate pesticides scheduled
for tolerance reassessment and reregistration in 2000. The interim
public participation process ensures public access to the Agency's risk
assessments while also allowing EPA to meet its reregistration
commitments. The interim public participation process for the non-
organophosphate pesticides scheduled for tolerance reassessment and
reregistration in 2000 and 2001 takes into account that the risk
assessment development work on these pesticides is substantially
complete. The interim public participation process involves: A
registrant error correction period; a period for the Agency to respond
to the registrant's error comments; the release of the refined risk
assessments and risk characterizations to the public via the docket and
EPA's internet website; a significant effort on stakeholder
consultations, such as meetings and conference calls; and the issuance
of the risk management document (i.e., RED) after the consideration of
issues and discussions with stakeholders. USDA plans to hold meetings
and conference calls with the public (i.e., interested stakeholders
such as growers, USDA Cooperative Extension Offices, commodity groups,
and other Federal government agencies) to discuss any identified risks
and solicit input on risk management strategies. EPA will participate
in USDA's meetings and conference calls with the public. This feedback
will be used to complete the risk management decisions and the RED. EPA
plans to conduct a close-out conference call with interested
stakeholders to describe the regulatory decisions presented in the RED.
REDs for pesticides developed under the interim process will be made
available for public comment.
    Included in the public version of the official record is the
Agency's risk assessments and related documents for vinclozolin. As
additional comments, reviews, and risk assessment modifications become
available, these will also be docketed for the pesticides listed in
this notice. These risk assessments reflect only the work and analysis
conducted as of the time they were produced and it is appropriate that,
as new information becomes available and/or additional analyses are
performed, the conclusions they contain may change.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Chemicals, Pesticides and pests.

    Dated: August 11, 2000.
Jack E. Housenger,
Acting Director, Special Review and Reregistration Division, Office of
Pesticide Programs.

[FR Doc. 00-21082 Filed 8-17-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S
Pesticides; Availability of Risk Assessments

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