Reports and guidance documents; availability, etc.: Pesticides cumulative risk assessment,

[Federal Register: August 18, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 161)]

[Notices]

[Page 50526-50527]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr18au00-56]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPP-00658A; FRL-6739-3]

Pesticides; Proposed Guidance on Cumulative Risk Assessment

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Extension of comment period.

SUMMARY: In the Federal Register of June 30, 2000, EPA announced and requested comment on a pesticide draft science policy document entitled ``Proposed Guidance on Cumulative Risk Assessment of Pesticide Chemicals that Have a Common Mechanism of Toxicity.'' EPA is extending the comment period to September 15, 2000, in response to requests from the public.

DATES: Comments, identified by docket control number OPP-00658A, must be received on or before September 15, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by mail, electronically, or in person. Please follow the detailed instructions for each method as provided in Unit I.C. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, it is imperative that you identify docket control number OPP-00658A in the subject line on the first page of your response.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jean M. Frane, Field and External Affairs Division (7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania, Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (703)-305-5944; e-mail address: frane.jean@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. General Information

   1. Does this Action Apply to Me?

      You may be affected by this action if you manufacture, formulate, or are required to register pesticide products (NAICS Code 32532). Other types of entities not listed could also be affected. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code has been provided to assist you and others in determining whether or not this notice affects certain entities. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

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

      1. Electronically. You may obtain electronic copies of this document, the draft science policy document, and certain other related documents that might be available from the Office of Pesticide Programs' Home Page at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides. On the Office of Pesticide Programs' Home Page select ``FQPA'' and then look up the entry for this document under ``Science Policies.'' You can also go directly to the listings at the EPA 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 ``Federal Register--Environmental Documents.'' You can go directly to the Federal Register listings http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr.

      2. Fax on demand. You may request a faxed copy of the draft science policy document, as well as supporting information, by using a faxphone to call (202) 401-0527. Select item 6049 for the paper entitled ``Proposed Guidance on Cumulative Risk Assessment of Pesticide Chemicals That Have a Common Mechanism of Toxicity.'' You may also follow the automated menu.

      3. In person. The Agency has established an official record for this action under docket control number OPP-00658A. In addition, the documents referenced in the framework notice, which published in the Federal Register on October 29, 1998 (63 FR 58038) (FRL-6041-5) have also been inserted in the docket under docket control number OPP-00557. 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.

   3. 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

      [[Page 50527]]

      control number OPP-00658A 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 Highway, Arlington, VA. The PIRIB is open from 8 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 or ASCII file format. All comments in electronic form must be identified by docket control number OPP-00658A. Electronic comments may also be filedonline at many Federal Depository Libraries.

   4. 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 identified under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

   5. What Should I Consider As I Prepare My Comments for EPA?

      EPA invites you to provide your views on the various draft science policy documents, new approaches we have not considered, the potential impacts of the various options (including possible unintended consequences), and any data or information that you would like the Agency to consider. You may find the following suggestions helpful for preparing your comments:

      1. Explain your views as clearly as possible.

      2. Describe any assumptions that you used.

      3. Provide copies if any technical information and/or data to support your views.

      4. If you estimate potential burden or costs, explain how you arrived at the estimate that you provide.

      5. Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns.

      6. Offer alternative ways to improve the proposed rule or collection activity.

      7. Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline in this notice.

      8. At the beginning of your comments (e.g., as part of the ``Subject'' heading), be sure to properly identify the document you are commenting on. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, it is imperative that you identify docket control number OPP-00658A in the subject line on the first page of your response. You may also provide the name, date, and Federal Register citation.

2. Background

   EPA is extending until September 15, 2000 the comment period for its draft science policy document entitled, ``Proposed Guidance on Cumulative Risk Assessment of Pesticide Chemicals that Have a Common Mechanism of Toxicity.'' The original comment period would have closed on August 28, 2000. EPA has received requests from a group of stakeholders, who wish to comment on the draft document, asking EPA to extend the comment period. The group requested an additional 30 days for comment, citing the length and complexity of the proposal, as well as the difficulty of preparing comment during the summer vacation period.

3. Do Any Regulatory Assessment Requirements Apply to this Action?

   No. This action is not a rulemaking, it merely extends the date by which public comments must be submitted to EPA on a pesticide draft science policy document that previously published in the Federal Register of June 30, 2000 (65 FR 40644) (FRL-6556-4). For information about the applicability of the regulatory assessment requirements to that document, please refer to the discussion in Unit I. of the June 30, 2000, document.

   List of Subjects

   Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, Agricultural commodities, Pesticides and pests.

   Dated: August 8, 2000. Susan H. Wayland, Acting Assistant Administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances.

   [FR Doc. 00-20998Filed8-17-00]

   BILLING CODE 6560-50-F