Pesticides; tolerances in food, animal feeds, and raw agricultural commodities: Pesticide tolerance processing fees,

[Federal Register: May 26, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 101)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 28384-28387]

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

[DOCID:fr26my99-13]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR PART 180

[OPP-30116; FRL-6056-6]

RIN 2070-AB78

Pesticide Tolerance Processing Fees

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This rule increases fees charged for processing tolerance petitions for pesticides under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). The change in fees reflects a 3.68 percent cost of living and locality pay increase for civilian Federal General Schedule (GS) employees working in the Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD metropolitan area in 1999.

This rule does not, however, reflect the requirements in the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA), which states that the Agency shall collect tolerance fees that, in the aggregate, will cover all costs associated with processing tolerance actions. The amendments to the tolerance fee schedule to meet the FQPA requirement will be addressed in a seperate rulemaking, the proposal for which is expected shortly.

EFFECTIVE DATE: June 25, 1999. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: About this rule contact Ed Setren, Resources Management Staff (7501C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., S.W., Washington, DC 20460, telephone: (703) 305-5927, fax: (703) 305-5060, e-mail: setren.edward@epa.gov. For further technical information about tolerance petitions and individual fees contact: Sonya Brooks, Resources Management Staff (7501C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460, telephone: (703) 308-6423, fax: (703) 305-5060, e-mail: brooks.sonya@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Does this rule apply to me?

   This rule may directly affect any person who might petition the Agency for new tolerances, hold a pesticide registration with existing tolerances, or anyone who is interested in obtaining or retaining a tolerance in the absence of a registration. This group can include pesticide manufacturers or formulators, companies that manufacture inert ingredients, importers of food, grower groups, or any person who seeks a tolerance. The vast majority of potentially affected categories and entities may include, but are not limited to:

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   Examples of Potentially Categories

   NAICS

   SIC

   Affected Entities

   Chemical Industry.................... 325320................. 0286................... pesticide chemical manufacturers, ................................... 115112................. 0287................... formulators, chemical manufacturers of inert ingredients

   This listing is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a guide for readers regarding entities likely to be regulated by this action. Other types of entities not listed above could also be regulated. If available, the four-digit Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes or the six-digit North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes have been provided to assist you and others in determining whether or not this rule applies to certain entities. To determine whether you or your business may be affected by this action, you should carefully examine the applicability provisions in the rule (see Unit IV). If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the technical person listed in the ``FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT'' section.

2. How can I get additional information or copies of this document or other documents?

   1. Electronically.

      You may obtain electronic copies of this document and various support documents from the EPA Internet Home Page at http:// www.epa.gov/. On the Home Page select ``Laws and Regulations'' 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/homepage/fedrgstr/.

   2. In person or by phone.

      If you have any questions or need additional information about this action, you may contact the technical person identified in the ``FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT'' section. In addition, the official record for this rule, including the public version, has been established under docket control number [OPP-30116]. A public version of this record, including printed, paper versions of any electronic comments, which does not include any information claimed as CBI, is available for inspection in Rm. 119, Crystal Mall 2 (CM #2), 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The Public Information and Records Integrity Branch telephone number is (703) 305-5805.

3. What action is the Agency taking in this rule?

   With this rule, the Agency is increasing the fees charged for processing tolerance petitions for pesticides under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). The pay raise in 1999 for Federal General Schedule employees working in the Washington, DC/Baltimore, MD metropolitan pay area is 3.68 percent. This increase in the fees charged for processing tolerance petitions reflects this recent pay raise.

4. Why is the Agency taking this action?

   The EPA is charged with the administration of section 408 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). Section 408 authorizes the Agency to establish tolerance levels and exemptions from the requirements for tolerances for raw agricultural commodities. EPA is required to collect fees that will, in the aggregate, be sufficient to cover the costs of processing petitions, so that the tolerance program is as self-supporting as possible. The fee increases identified by this rule do not reflect the requirements of FFDCA section 408(m)(1) as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996 which states that the Agency shall collect tolerance fees that, in the aggretate, will cover all costs associated with processing tolerance actions. Modifications of the tolerance fee schedule to meet the FQPA requirement will be addressed by a proposed rule now in development.

   The current fee schedule for tolerance petitions published in the Federal Register on May 27, 1998 (63 FR 28909)(FRL-5775-4), codified at 40 CFR 180.33, and became effective on June 26, 1998. At that time the fees were increased 2.45 percent in accordance with a provision in the regulation that provides for automatic annual adjustments to the fees based on annual percentage changes in Federal salaries (40 CFR 180.33(o)).

   The Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act of 1990 (FEPCA) initiated locality-based comparability pay, known as ``locality pay''. The intent of the legislation is to make Federal pay more responsive to local labor market conditions by adjusting General Schedule salaries on the basis of a comparison with non-Federal rates on a geographic, locality basis. The processing and review of tolerance petitions is conducted by EPA employees working in the Washington, DC/ Baltimore, MD pay area.

   The pay raise in 1999 for Federal General Schedule employees working in the Washington, DC/Baltimore, MD metropolitan pay area is 3.68 percent; therefore, the tolerance petition fees are being increased by 3.68 percent. The entire revised fee schedule in Sec. 180.33 is presented for the reader's convenience. (All fees have been rounded to the nearest $25.00.)

5. Why is EPA issuing this action as a Final Rule?

   EPA is publishing this action as a final rule pursuant to 40 CFR 180.33(o), which reads in part:

   (o) This fee schedule will be changed annually by the same percentage as the percent change in the Federal General Schedule (GS) pay scale [...]. When automatic adjustments are made based on the GS pay scale, the new fee schedule will be published in the Federal Register as a final rule to become effective thirty days or more after publication, as specified in the rule.

6. What regulatory assessments requirements apply to this action?

   This action does not require review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under Executive Order 12866, entitled Regulatory Planning and Review (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., or Executive Order 13045, entitled Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks and Safety (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997). Nor does it require any action under Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA)(Pub.L. 104-4), Executive Order 12875, entitled Enhancing the Intergovernmental Partnership (58 FR 58093, October 28, 1993), Executive Order 13084, entitled Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments (63 FR 27655, May 19,1998), or Executive Order 12898, entitled Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994). In addition, this action does not

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   involve any technical standards that trigger the requirement in section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (NTTAA), 15 U.S.C. 272 note) which directs EPA to use voluntary consensus standards in its regulatory activities unless to do so would be inconsistent with applicable law or impractical. Since this action does not require a proposal, no action is needed under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).

7. Must EPA submit this action to Congress and the General Accounting Office?

   Yes. The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the United States. EPA will submit a report containing this rule and other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior to publication of this rule in the Federal Register. This is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

   List of Subjects in 40 CFR part 180

   Administrative practice and procedures, Agricultural commodities, Pesticides and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements

   Dated: May 12, 1999.

   Susan H. Wayland,

   Acting Assistant Administrator Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances.

   Therefore, 40 CFR part 180 is amended as follows:

   Part 180--[AMENDED]

   1. The authority citation for Part 180 continues to read as follows:

      Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346(a) and 371.

   2. Section 180.33 is revised to read as follows:

      Sec. 180.33 Fees.

      (a) Each petition or request for the establishment of a new tolerance or a tolerance higher than already established, shall be accompanied by a fee of $68,025, plus $1,700 for each raw agricultural commodity in excess of nine for which the establishment of a tolerance is requested, except as provided in paragraphs (b), (d), and (h) of this section.

      (b) Each petition or request for the establishment of a tolerance at a lower numerical level or levels than a tolerance already established for the same pesticide chemical, or for the establishment of a tolerance on additional raw agricultural commodities at the same numerical level as a tolerance already established for the same pesticide chemical, shall be accompanied by a fee of $15,550 plus $1,025 for each raw agricultural commodity for which a tolerance is requested.

      (c) Each petition or request for an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance or repeal of an exemption shall be accompanied by a fee of $12,550.

      (d) Each petition or request for a temporary tolerance or a temporary exemption from the requirement of a tolerance shall be accompanied by a fee of $27,175 except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section. A petition or request to renew or extend such temporary tolerance or temporary exemption shall be accompanied by a fee of $3,850.

      (e) A petition or request for a temporary tolerance for a pesticide chemical which has a tolerance for other uses at the same numerical level or a higher numerical level shall be accompanied by a fee of $13,525 plus $1,025 for each raw agricultural commodity on which the temporary tolerance is sought.

      (f) Each petition or request for repeal of a tolerance shall be accompanied by a fee of $8,500. Such fee is not required when, in connection with the change sought under this paragraph, a petition or request is filedfor the establishment of new tolerances to take the place of those sought to be repealed and a fee is paid as required by paragraph (a) of this section.

      (g) If a petition or a request is not accepted for processing because it is technically incomplete, the fee, less $1,700 for handling and initial review, shall be returned. If a petition is withdrawn by the petitioner after initial processing, but before significant Agency scientific review has begun, the fee, less $1,700 for handling and initial review, shall be returned. If an unacceptable or withdrawn petition is resubmitted, it shall be accompanied by the fee that would be required if it were being submitted for the first time.

      (h) Each petition or request for a crop group tolerance, regardless of the number of raw agricultural commodities involved, shall be accompanied by a fee equal to the fee required by the analogous category for a single tolerance that is not a crop group tolerance, i.e., paragraphs (a) through (f) of this section, without a charge for each commodity where that would otherwise apply.

      (i) Objections under section 408(d)(5) of the Act shall be accompanied by a filing fee of $3,400.

      (j)(1) In the event of a referral of a petition or proposal under this section to an advisory committee, the costs shall be borne by the person who requests the referral of the data to the advisory committee.

      (2) Costs of the advisory committee shall include compensation for experts as provided in Sec. 180.11(c) and the expenses of the secretariat, including the costs of duplicating petitions and other related material referred to the committee.

      (3) An advance deposit shall be made in the amount of $33,950 to cover the costs of the advisory committee. Further advance deposits of $33,950 each shall be made upon request of the Administrator when necessary to prevent arrears in the payment of such costs. Any deposits in excess of actual expenses will be refunded to the depositor.

      (k) The person who files a petition for judicial review of an order under section 408(d)(5) or (e) of the Act shall pay the costs of preparing the record on which the order is based unless the person has no financial interest in the petition for judicial review.

      (l) No fee under this section will be imposed on the Inter-Regional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4 Program).

      (m) The Administrator may waive or refund part or all of any fee imposed by this section if the Administrator determines in his or her sole discretion that such a waiver or refund will promote the public interest or that payment of the fee would work an unreasonable hardship on the person on whom the fee is imposed. A request for waiver or refund of a fee shall be submitted in writing to the Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pesticide Programs, Registration Division (7505C), Washington, DC 20460. A fee of $1,700 shall accompany every request for a waiver or refund, except that the fee under this sentence shall not be imposed on any person who has no financial interest in any action requested by such person under paragraphs (a) through (k) of this section. The fee for requesting a waiver or refund shall be refunded if the request is granted.

      (n) All deposits and fees required by the regulations in this part shall be paid by money order, bank draft, or certified check drawn to the order of the Environmental Protection Agency. All

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      deposits and fees shall be forwarded to the Environmental Protection Agency, Headquarters Accounting Operations Branch, Office of Pesticide Programs (Tolerance Fees), P.O. Box 360277M, Pittsburgh, PA 15251. The payments should be specifically labeled ``Tolerance Petition Fees'' and should be accompanied only by a copy of the letter or petition requesting the tolerance. The actual letter or petition, along with supporting data, shall be forwarded within 30 days of payment to the Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pesticide Programs, Registration Division, (7504C) Washington, DC 20460. A petition will not be accepted for processing until the required fees have been submitted. A petition for which a waiver of fees has been requested will not be accepted for processing until the fee has been waived or, if the waiver has been denied, the proper fee is submitted after notice of denial. A request for waiver or refund will not be accepted after scientific review has begun on a petition.

      (o) This fee schedule will be changed annually by the same percentage as the percent change in the Federal General Schedule (GS) pay scale. In addition, processing costs and fees will periodically be reviewed and changes will be made to the schedule as necessary. When automatic adjustments are made based on the GS pay scale, the new fee schedule will be published in the Federal Register as a Final Rule to become effective 30 days or more after publication, as specified in the rule. When changes are made based on periodic reviews, the changes will be subject to public comment.

      [FR Doc. 99-13191Filed5-25-99; 8:45 am]

      BILLING CODE 6560-50-F