[Federal Register: June 26, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 123)]
[Notices]               
[Page 43116-43118]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26jn02-70]                         

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPP-2002-0079; FRL-7181-8]

 
Availability of the Tolerance Reassessment Decision (TRED) for 
Linuron

AGENCY:  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:  Notice.

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SUMMARY:  This notice announces the availability of the tolerance 
reassessment decision document for linuron. The linuron overview and 
decision document have been developed as part of the public 
participation process that EPA and the

[[Page 43117]]

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are now using for involving the 
public in the reassessment of pesticide tolerances as a result of the 
Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA), and in the reregistration of 
individual pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and 
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).

DATES:  Comments, identified by docket ID number OPP-2002-0079, must be 
received by EPA on or before July 26, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by mail, electronically, or in 
person. Please follow the detailed instructions for each method as 
provided in Unit III. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. To ensure 
proper receipt by EPA, it is imperative that you identify docket ID 
number OPP-2002-0079 in the subject line on the first page of your 
response.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Dirk Helder, Special Review and 
Reregistration Division (7508W), Office of Pesticide Programs, 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (703) 305-4610; e-mail address: 
Helder.Dirk@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 
tolerance reassessment decision document for linuron, 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 FQPA and interim risk 
management decision documents released to the public may also be 
accessed at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/status.htm.
    2. In person. The Agency has established an official record for 
this action under docket ID number OPP-2002-0079. 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 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.

C. 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 ID number OPP-2002-0079 in the subject line on the 
first page of your response.
    1. By mail. Submit your comments to: Public Information and Records 
Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Information Resources and Services Division 
(7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), Environmental Protection 
Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
    2. In person or by courier. Deliver your comments to: Public 
Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Information Resources 
and Services Division (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), 
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. You may submit your comments electronically by 
e-mail to: opp-docket@epa.gov, or you can submit a computer disk as 
described above. Do not submit any information electronically that you 
consider to be CBI. Avoid the use of special characters and any form of 
encryption. Electronic submissions will be accepted in WordPerfect 6.1/
8.0/9.0 or ASCII file format. All comments in electronic form must be 
identified by docket ID number OPP-2002-0079. Electronic comments may 
also be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries.

D. How Should I Handle CBI 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 has assessed the risks of linuron and is reporting on the FQPA 
Tolerance Reassessment Decision for this pesticide. EPA completed the 
Linuron Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) prior to the 1996 
enactment of the Food and Quality Protection Act; therefore, while no 
reregistration decision is required at present, risks from non-
occupational exposure to linuron through food, drinking water, and 
residential uses must be reassessed. There are no residential uses of 
linuron. The Agency has reassessed the 40 tolerances for linuron and 
determined that residues in food and drinking water are not expected to 
pose risk concerns. In addition, three new tolerances are proposed for 
use on cotton gin by-products (9.0 parts per million (ppm)), celeriac 
(1.0 ppm), and rhubarb (0.5 ppm). Final tolerances are being proposed 
as part of this Tolerance Reassessment Decision (TRED). Some tolerances 
may be revised once additional confirmatory field trial data have been 
submitted to and reviewed by the Agency. In addition, occupational and 
ecological risk management

[[Page 43118]]

decisions were made as part of the 1995 Linuron RED and have been 
implemented. However, two new minor uses were established for linuron 
as part of the tolerance reassessment process for use on celeraic and 
rhubarb. An occupational risk assessment was performed for these two 
new uses and they do not present risks of concern for the Agency.
    EPA works extensively with affected parties to reach the decisions 
presented in the FQPA tolerance reassessment decision documents. This 
Notice announces the availability of the linuron overview and decision 
document which report on FQPA tolerance reassessment and risk 
management decisions. These and additional supporting documents are 
available on the internet at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/
reregistration/status.htm and in the public docket, OPP-2002-0079. This 
Notice also announces the beginning of a 30-day public comment period. 
The docket is open and any comments submitted will be placed in the 
public docket for consideration. In the absence of substantive 
comments, the tolerance reassessment decision for linuron will be 
considered final.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Chemicals, Pesticides and pests.


    Dated: June 17, 2002.
Lois A. Rossi,
Director, Special Review and Reregistration Division, Office of 
Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 02-16106 Filed 6-25-02 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S