[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 60 (Wednesday, March 29, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16133-16134]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-7581]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-180967; FRL 4944-3]
Pyrithiobac-Sodium; Receipt of Application for Emergency
Exemption, Solicitation of Public Comment
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: EPA has received a specific exemption request from the
Arkansas State Plant Board (hereafter referred to as the ``Applicant'')
for use of the pesticide pyrithiobac-sodium, to control morningglory
and cocklebur on up to 500,000 acres of cotton in Arkansas. In
accordance with 40 CFR 166.24, EPA is soliciting public comment before
making the decision whether or not to grant the exemption.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 13, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Three copies of written comments, bearing the identification
notation ``OPP-180967,'' should be submitted by mail to: Public
Response and Human Resource Branch, Field Operations Division (7506C),
Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M
St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. In person, bring comments to: Rm. 1128,
Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA.
Information submitted in any comment concerning this notice may be
claimed confidential by marking any part or all of that information as
``Confidential Business Information.'' Information so marked will not
be disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR
part 2. A copy of the comment that does not contain Confidential
Business Information must be provided by the submitter for inclusion in
the public record. Information not marked confidential may be disclosed
publicly by EPA without prior notice. All written comments filed
pursuant to this notice will be available for public inspection in Rm.
1128, Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA,
from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except legal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: Margarita Collantes,
Registration Division (7505W), Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460.
Office location and telephone number: 6th Floor, Crystal Station I,
2800 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202, (703) 308-8347; e-
mail: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 18 of the Federal
Insecticide, [[Page 16134]] Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (7
U.S.C. 136p), the Administrator may, at her discretion, exempt a State
agency from any registration provision of FIFRA if she determines that
emergency conditions exist which require such exemption. The Applicant
has requested the Administrator to issue a specific exemption for use
of the herbicide, pyrithiobac-sodium, available as Staple from DuPont
Agricultural Products, to control morningglory and cocklebur on up to
500,000 acres of cotton in Arkansas. Information in accordance with 40
CFR part 166 was submitted as part of this request.
According to the Applicant, the registered alternative herbicides
Command and Cotoran, provide only fair control unless environmental
conditions are perfect. If no rainfall occurs for activation of the
soil applied herbicide, no height difference is established for the
post-directed spray. This is often compounded by wet weather preventing
the directed application to be made. Command was used last year by over
one-half of the Arkansas cotton growers for morningglory control.
Command provides good control of pitted morningglory, but poor control
of the entire leaf and ivyleaf species. In addition, off-target
movement problems have created a controversy in Arkansas and the long-
term future of this herbicide remains clouded. Even with Command, an
emergency situation exists for an over-the-top herbicide for
morningglory control. In addition, a second weed that is rapidly
increasing is the cocklebur which is resistant to MSMA and DSMA. The
arsenical herbicides have been Arkansas primary means of cocklebur
control and resistance is fast rendering them useless. The applicant
estimates a yield loss ranging from 17 to 66 percent due to cocklebur
and a 72 percent yield loss due to pitted morningglory.
Under the proposed exemption, a maximum of two ground or air
applications of Staple would be made at 1.0 fluid ounces of product (or
1.18 to 2.35 ozs 85 percent SP/A) per acre. Not to exceed 2.0 fluid
ounces of product per acre. No applications would be made within 45
days of harvest.
This notice does not constitute a decision by EPA on the
application itself. The regulations governing section 18 require that
the Agency publish notice of receipt in the Federal Register and
solicit public comment on an application for a specific exemption
proposing use of a new chemical (i.e., an active ingredient not
contained in any currently registered pesticide) [40 CFR 166.24
(a)(1)].
Pyrithiobac-sodium is a new chemical. Accordingly, interested
persons may submit written views on this subject to the Field
Operations Division at the address above. The Agency will review and
consider all comments received during the comment period in determining
whether to issue the emergency exemption requested by the Arkansas
State Plant Board.
List of Subjects
Environmental protection, Pesticides and pests, Crisis exemptions.
Dated: March 17, 1995.
Lois Rossi,
Acting Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.
[FR Doc. 95-7581 Filed 3-28-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F