Pesticides; tolerances in food, animal feeds, and raw agricultural commodities: A1,

[Federal Register: August 29, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 168)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 55339-55347]

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

[DOCID:fr29au02-5]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 180

[OPP-2002-0144; FRL-7195-1]

Fosetyl-Al; Pesticide Tolerances

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of the fungicide, fosetyl-Al aluminum tris (O-ethylphosphonate) in or on bushberry subgroup, lingonberry, salal and juneberry at 40 parts per million (ppm); turnip tops at 40 ppm; turnip roots at 15 ppm; succulent pea at 0.3 ppm; and citrus fruit group at 5.0 ppm. The Interregional Research Project Number 4 (IR-4) requested these tolerances under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996.

DATES: This regulation is effective August 29, 2002. Objections and requests for hearings, identified by docket ID number OPP-2002-0144 must be received on or before October 28, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Written objections and hearing requests may be submitted by mail, in person, or by courier. Please follow the detailed instructions for each method as provided in Unit VI. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, your objections and hearing requests must identify docket ID number OPP-2002-0144 in the subject line on the first page of your response.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: Sidney Jackson, Registration Division (7505C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.,Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: (703) 305-7610; e-mail address: jackson.sidney@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

  1. General Information

    1. Does this Action Apply to Me?

      You may be affected by this action if you are an agricultural producer, food manufacturer, or pesticide manufacturer. Potentially affected categories and entities may include, but are not limited to:

      Examples of Categories

      NAICS codes

      potentially affected entities

      Industry

      111

      Crop production 112

      Animal production 311

      Food manufacturing 32532

      Pesticide manufacturing

      This listing is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a guide for readers regarding entities likely to be affected by this action. Other types of entities not listed in the table could also be affected. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes have been provided to assist you and others in determining whether or not this action might apply to certain entities. If you have 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 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/. To access this document, 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/. A frequently updated electronic version of 40 CFR part 180 is available at http://www.access.gpo.gov/ nara/cfr/cfrhtml--00/Title--40/40cfr180--00.html, a beta site currently under development.

      2. In person. The Agency has established an official record for this action under docket ID number OPP-2002-0144. 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 55340]]

      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.

  2. Background and Statutory Findings

    In the Federal Register of May 23, 2001 (66 FR 28479) (FRL-6780-2), EPA issued a notice pursuant to section 408 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), 21 U.S.C. 346a, as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA) (Public Law 104-170), announcing the filing of pesticide petitions (PP 5E4434 and 0E6221) by IR-4, Center for Minor Crop Management, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 681 U. S. Highway 1 South, North Brunswick, NJ 08902- 3390. This notice included a summary of the petition prepared by Rhone- Poulenc Ag Company, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, the registrant. There were no comments received in response to the notice of filing.

    The petition requested that 40 CFR 180.415 be amended by establishing tolerances for residues of the fungicide fosetyl-Al, aluminum tris (O-ethylphosphonate), in or on bushberry subgroup 13B, lingonberry, salal and juneberry at 40 ppm: turnip tops at 40 ppm and turnip roots at 15 ppm; succulent pea at 0.3 ppm; and citrus fruit group 10 at 5.0 ppm. Additionally, this rule deletes the previously established tolerance under 40 CFR 180.415(a) for citrus at 0.5 ppm. The higher citrus fruit group tolerance was requested in support of registration for a shorter pre-harvest interval for use of fosetyl-Al on citrus.

    Section 408(b)(2)(A)(i) of the FFDCA allows EPA to establish a tolerance (the legal limit for a pesticide chemical residue in or on a food) only if EPA determines that the tolerance is ``safe.'' Section 408(b)(2)(A)(ii) defines ``safe'' to mean that ``there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residue, including all anticipated dietary exposures and all other exposures for which there is reliable information.'' This includes exposure through drinking water and in residential settings, but does not include occupational exposure. Section 408(b)(2)(C) requires EPA to give special consideration to exposure of infants and children to the pesticide chemical residue in establishing a tolerance and to ``ensure that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result to infants and children from aggregate exposure to the pesticide chemical residue. . . .''

    EPA performs a number of analyses to determine the risks from aggregate exposure to pesticide residues. For further discussion of the regulatory requirements of section 408 and a complete description of the risk assessment process, see the final rule on Bifenthrin Pesticide Tolerances (62 FR 62961, November 26, 1997) (FRL-5754-7).

  3. Aggregate Risk Assessment and Determination of Safety

    Consistent with section 408(b)(2)(D), EPA has reviewed the available scientific data and other relevant information in support of this action. EPA has sufficient data to assess the hazards of and to make a determination on aggregate exposure, consistent with section 408(b)(2), for a tolerances for residues of fosetyl-Al on bushberry subgroup, lingonberry, salal, and juneberry at 40 ppm; turnip tops at 40 ppm; turnip roots at 15 ppm; succulent pea at 0.3 ppm; and citrus fruit group at 5.0 ppm. EPA's assessment of exposures and risks associated with establishing the tolerances follows.

    1. Toxicological Profile

      EPA has evaluated the available toxicity data and considered their validity, completeness, and reliability as well as the relationship of the results of the studies to human risk. EPA has also considered available information concerning the variability of the sensitivities of major identifiable subgroups of consumers, including infants and children. The nature of the toxic effects caused by fosetyl-Al are discussed in the Federal Register of August 18, 2000 (65 FR 50431) ( FRL-6599-4) as well as the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) and the lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) from the toxicity studies reviewed.

    2. Toxicological Endpoints

      The dose at which no adverse effects are observed (the NOAEL) from the toxicology study identified as appropriate for use in risk assessment is used to estimate the toxicological level of concern (LOC). However, the lowest dose at which adverse effects of concern are identified (the LOAEL) is sometimes used for risk assessment if no NOAEL was achieved in the toxicology study selected. An uncertainty factor (UF) is applied to reflect uncertainties inherent in the extrapolation from laboratory animal data to humans and in the variations in sensitivity among members of the human population as well as other unknowns. An UF of 100 is routinely used, 10X to account for interspecies differences and 10X for intraspecies differences.

      For dietary risk assessment (other than cancer) the Agency uses the UF to calculate an acute or chronic reference dose (acute RfD or chronic RfD) where the RfD is equal to the NOAEL divided by the appropriate UF (RfD = NOAEL/UF). Where an additional safety factor is retained due to concerns unique to the FQPA, this additional factor is applied to the RfD by dividing the RfD by such additional factor. The acute or chronic Population Adjusted Dose (aPAD or cPAD) is a modification of the RfD to accommodate this type of FQPA Safety Factor.

      For non-dietary risk assessments (other than cancer) the UF is used to determine the LOC. For example, when 100 is the appropriate UF (10X to account for interspecies differences and 10X for intraspecies differences) the LOC is 100. To estimate risk, a ratio of the NOAEL to exposures (margin of exposure (MOE) = NOAEL/exposure) is calculated and compared to the LOC.

      The linear default risk methodology (Q*) is the primary method currently used by the Agency to quantify carcinogenic risk. The Q* approach assumes that any amount of exposure will lead to some degree of cancer risk. A Q* is calculated and used to estimate risk which represents a probability of occurrence of additional cancer cases (e.g., risk is expressed as 1 x 10-6or one in a million). Under certain specific circumstances, MOE calculations will be used for the carcinogenic risk assessment. In this non-linear approach, a ``point of departure'' is identified below which carcinogenic effects are not expected. The point of departure is typically a NOAEL based on an endpoint related to cancer effects though it may be a different value derived from the dose response curve. To estimate risk, a ratio of the point of departure to exposure (MOEcancer= point of departure/exposures) is calculated. A summary of the toxicological endpoints for fosetyl-Al used for human risk assessment is shown in the following Table 1:

      [[Page 55341]]

      Table 1.--Summary of Toxicological Dose and Endpoints for Fosetyl-Al for Use in Human Risk Assessment

      FQPA SF and Level of Exposure Scenario

      Dose Used in Risk

      Concern for Risk Study and Toxicological Assessment, UF

      Assessment

      Effects

      Acute dietary

      Not applicable

      Not applicable

      No effects attributable to a single exposure (dose) were observed from the oral toxicity studies including developmental toxicity studies in rats and rabbits.

      Chronic dietary all populations

      NOAEL = 250 mg/kg/day FQPA SF = 1x

      2-Year chronic toxicity- UF = 100............... cPAD = chronic RfD/FQPA dogs Chronic RfD = 2.5 mg/kg/ SF.

      LOAEL = 500 mg/kg/day day.

      = 2.5 mg/kg/day........ based on increased incidence of testicular degeneration

      Short-term (1 to 30 days) and

      NOAEL = 300 mg/kg/day LOC for MOE = 100

      3-Generation intermediate-term (1 to 6 months)

      (Residential)......... reproductive toxicity Incidental oral......................

      FQPA SF = 1x........... rat (Residential)........................

      LOAEL = 600 mg/kg/day based on decreased litter and pup body weight (on day 8) in both matings of each generation, F1 and F2

      Short- and intermediate-term dermal None

      Not applicable

      No hazard identified. (Residential)........................

      Risk assessment not performed.

      Long-term dermal (greater than 6 Oral NOAEL = 250 mg/kg/ LOC for MOE = 100

      2-Year chronic toxicity- months)

      day

      (Residential).......... dog (Residential)........................

      LOAEL = 500 mg/kg/day based on increased incidence of testicular degeneration

      Short- and intermediate-term

      Oral study

      LOC for MOE = 100

      3-Generation inhalation

      NOAEL= 300 mg/kg/day... (Residential).......... reproductive toxicity (Residential)........................

      rat Parental (systemic) LOAEL = 600 mg/kg/day based on decreased body weight gains of F2b generation, and urinary tract changes in adults

      Long-term inhalation (several months Oral study

      LOC for MOE = 100

      2-Year chronic toxicity to lifetime)

      NOAEL = 250 mg/kg/day.. (Residential).......... - dog (Residential)........................

      LOAEL = 500 mg/kg/day based on increased incidence of testicular degeneration

      Cancer (oral, dermal, inhalation)

      Classification: Unlikely to pose a carcinogenic hazard to humans.

    3. Exposure Assessment

      1. Dietary exposure from food and feed uses. Tolerances have been established (40 CFR 180.415) for the residues of fosetyl-Al, in or on a variety of raw agricultural commodities. Residues of fosetyl-Al are currently regulated under 40 CFR 180.415(a) in caneberries, fresh ginseng root, pineapple, pineapple fodder and forage at 0.1 ppm; onions (dry bulb) at 0.5 ppm; macadamia nuts at 0.2 ppm; citrus and cranberry at 0.5 ppm; tomatoes and bananas at 3.0 ppm; pome fruit at 10 ppm; cucurbit vegetables group at 15 ppm; avocados at 25 ppm; hops, dried at 45 ppm; brassica (cole) leafy vegetables group at 60 ppm; strawberries at 75 ppm; and leafy vegetables (except brassica vegetables) group at 100 ppm. Time-limited tolerances associated with a section 18 request for the residues of fosetyl-Al have been granted in/on peas, succulent at 1.0 ppm under 40 CFR 180.415(b) which expired September 31, 2000. Additionally, tolerances are established 40 CFR 180.415(c) for residues of fosetyl-Al in/on asparagus at 0.1 ppm and grapes at 10 ppm in conjunction with regional registrations. Risk assessments were conducted by EPA to assess dietary exposures from fosetyl-Al in food as follows:

        i. Acute exposure. Acute dietary risk assessments are performed for a food-use pesticide if a toxicological study has indicated the possibility of an effect of concern occurring as a result of a 1 day or single exposure. No appropriate endpoint attributable to a single exposure (dose) was identified from the oral toxicity studies including developmental toxicity studies in rats and rabbits. Therefore, an acute reference dose was not established and this risk assessment was not performed.

        ii. Chronic exposure. In conducting this chronic dietary risk assessment, the Dietary Exposure Evaluation Model (DEEMTM) analysis evaluated the individual food consumption as reported by respondents in the USDA 1989-1992 nationwide Continuing Surveys of Food Intake by Individuals (CSFII) and accumulated exposure to the chemical for each commodity. The following assumptions were made for the chronic exposure assessments: The Tier 1 (assuming tolerance level residues and 100% crops treated for all commodities) chronic dietary exposure assessment was conducted for all supported fosetyl-Al food uses. Chronic dietary exposure estimates were provided for the general U.S. population and various population subgroups.

        iii. Cancer. The Agency concludes that pesticidal use of fosetyl-Al is unlikely to pose a carcinogenic hazard to humans. Therefore, a cancer dietary exposure analysis for fosetyl-Al was not performed.

        [[Page 55342]]

      2. Dietary exposure from drinking water. Fosetyl-Al is not expected to reach ground or surface water under most conditions. Even if it reaches surface water, it is expected to degrade rapidly. In ground water, it could persist because of potentially low microbial content in ground water. Biodegradation is the only apparent means of fosetyl-Al dissipation. Fosetyl-Al rapidly degrades in aerobic soil (half-life 3+, PO43-, and ethanol). Under almost all uses, the degradation is expected to be so rapid that fosetyl-Al will not have time to move in soil despite being highly soluble in water (120 g/L) and potentially mobile in soil. Since it is stable to abiotic hydrolysis, fosetyl-Al could persist in pristine receiving waters with low microbial content. Parent fosetyl-Al is the only compound included in the Agency's assessment. The parent compound is also the residue of concern in both plant and livestock commodities.

        The Agency lacks sufficient monitoring exposure data to complete a comprehensive dietary exposure analysis and risk assessment for fosetyl-Al in drinking water. Because the Agency does not have comprehensive monitoring data, drinking water concentration estimates are made by reliance on simulation or modeling taking into account data on the physical characteristics of fosetyl-Al.

        The Agency uses the FQPA Index Reservoir Screening Tool (FIRST) or the Pesticide Root Zone/Exposure Analysis Modeling System (PRZM/EXAMS), to produce estimates of pesticide concentrations in an index reservoir. The Screening Concentrations in Ground Water (SCI-GROW) model is used to predict pesticide concentrations in shallow ground water. For a screening-level assessment for surface water EPA will use FIRST (a tier 1 model) before using PRZM/EXAMS (a tier 2 model). The FIRST model is a subset of the PRZM/EXAMS model that uses a specific high-end runoff scenario for pesticides. While both FIRST and PRZM/EXAMS incorporate an index reservoir environment, the PRZM/EXAMS model includes a percent crop area factor as an adjustment to account for the maximum percent crop coverage within a watershed or drainage basin.

        None of these models include consideration of the impact processing (mixing, dilution, or treatment) of raw water for distribution as drinking water would likely have on the removal of pesticides from the source water. The primary use of these models by the Agency at this stage is to provide a coarse screen for sorting out pesticides for which it is highly unlikely that drinking water concentrations would ever exceed human health levels of concern.

        Since the models used are considered to be screening tools in the risk assessment process, the Agency does not use estimated environmental concentrations (EECs) from these models to quantify drinking water exposure and risk as a %RfD or %PAD. Instead drinking water levels of comparison (DWLOCs) are calculated and used as a point of comparison against the model estimates of a pesticide's concentration in water. DWLOCs are theoretical upper limits on a pesticide's concentration in drinking water in light of total aggregate exposure to a pesticide in food, and from residential uses. Since DWLOCs address total aggregate exposure to fosetyl-Al, they are further discussed in the aggregate risk sections in Unit III.E.

        Based on the FIRST and SCI-GROW 2 models, the EECs for fosetyl-Al for acute exposures are estimated to be 0.0086 parts per billion (ppb) for surface water and 2Water EEC3Water EEC3DWLOC4 Residential)1(ppb)

        (ppb)

        (ppb)

        Adults

        3,300

        100 0.00003

        0.006 102,000

        Children (1-6 years old)

        570

        100 0.00003

        0.006 25,000

        All infants (less than 1 years old)

        650

        100 0.00003

        0.006 25,000

        1Aggregate MOE = NOAEL (300 mg/kg/day) / (Average Food Exposure + Residential Exposure) 2The target MOE is 100, based on interspecies and intraspecies safety factors totaling 100. 3The crop producing the highest level was used. 4DWLOC([mu]g/L) = maximum water exposure (mg/kg/day) x body weight (kg)/water consumption (L) x 10-3mg/[mu]g For adults, a 70 kg body weight was used, for children, 10 kg.

      3. Intermediate-term risk. Intermediate-term aggregate exposure takes into account residential exposure plus chronic exposure to food and water (considered to be a background exposure level).

        An intermediate-term risk assessment was not performed since adult residential handler scenarios are not expected to occur for longer than a short-term timeframe (more than 30 days of continuous exposure) and intermediate-term exposure is not likely to occur for infants and children (residential post-application oral exposure scenario) because fosetyl-Al has a very short half-life (less than 3 hours in aerobic soil).

        [[Page 55345]]

      4. Aggregate cancer risk for U.S. population. The Agency concludes that pesticidal uses of fosetyl-Al are not likely to pose a carcinogenic hazard to humans.

      5. Determination of safety. Based on these risk assessments, EPA concludes that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result to the general population, and to infants and children from aggregate exposure to fosetyl-Al residues.

  4. Other Considerations

    1. Analytical Enforcement Methodology

      An adequate analytical method is available for enforcement of the proposed tolerances in/on turnips (roots and tops), succulent peas, blueberries, and citrus. The method is Method I in PAM II, which uses diazomethane as the methylating agent and quantitation of fosetyl-Al by GC/FPD. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) is 0.05 ppm for turnips and succulent peas and 0.1 ppm for citrus. The method may be requested from: Francis Griffith, Analytical Chemistry Branch, Environmental Science Center, Environmental Protection Agency, 701 Mapes Road, Fort George G. Mead, MD 20755-5350; telephone number: (410) 305-2905; e-mail address: griffith.francis@epa.gov.

    2. International Residue Limits

      There are no established or proposed maximum residue limits or tolerances for fosetyl-Al in or on turnip roots and tops, succulent peas, blueberries or citrus fruit for Canada, Mexico, or Codex.

    3. Conditions

      Registration for succulent pea will be conditional pending the submission of adequate storage stability data for this crop.

  5. Conclusion

    Therefore, the tolerances are established for residues of fosetyl- Al, aluminum tris (O-ethylphosphonate), in or on bushberry subgroup, lingonberry, salal, and juneberry at 40 ppm; turnip tops at 40 ppm; turnip roots at 15 ppm; succulent pea at 0.3 ppm; and citrus fruit group at 5.0 ppm. Since the tolerance for the citrus fruit group at 5.0 ppm supercedes the existing tolerance under 40 CFR 180.415(a) for citrus at 0.5 ppm, the tolerance for citrus at 0.5 ppm is deleted.

  6. Objections and Hearing Requests

    Under section 408(g) of the FFDCA, as amended by the FQPA, any person may file an objection to any aspect of this regulation and may also request a hearing on those objections. The EPA procedural regulations which govern the submission of objections and requests for hearings appear in 40 CFR part 178. Although the procedures in those regulations require some modification to reflect the amendments made to the FFDCA by the FQPA of 1996, EPA will continue to use those procedures, with appropriate adjustments, until the necessary modifications can be made. The new section 408(g) provides essentially the same process for persons to ``object'' to a regulation for an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance issued by EPA under new section 408(d), as was provided in the old FFDCA sections 408 and 409. However, the period for filing objections is now 60 days, rather than 30 days.

    1. What Do I Need to Do to File an Objection or Request a Hearing?

      You must file your objection or request a hearing on this regulation in accordance with the instructions provided in this unit and in 40 CFR part 178. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, you must identify docket control number OPP-2002-0144 in the subject line on the first page of your submission. All requests must be in writing, and must be mailed or delivered to the Hearing Clerk on or before October 28, 2002.

      1. Filing the request. Your objection must specify the specific provisions in the regulation that you object to, and the grounds for the objections (40 CFR 178.25). If a hearing is requested, the objections must include a statement of the factual issues(s) on which a hearing is requested, the requestor's contentions on such issues, and a summary of any evidence relied upon by the objector (40 CFR 178.27). Information submitted in connection with an objection or hearing request may be claimed confidential 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. A copy of the information that does not contain CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public record. Information not marked confidential may be disclosed publicly by EPA without prior notice.

        Mail your written request to: Office of the Hearing Clerk (1900C), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460. You may also deliver your request to the Office of the Hearing Clerk in Rm. 104, Crystal Mall 2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA. The Office of the Hearing Clerk is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Office of the Hearing Clerk is (703) 603-0061.

      2. Tolerance fee payment. If you file an objection or request a hearing, you must also pay the fee prescribed by 40 CFR 180.33(i) or request a waiver of that fee pursuant to 40 CFR 180.33(m). You must mail the fee to: EPA Headquarters Accounting Operations Branch, Office of Pesticide Programs, P.O. Box 360277M, Pittsburgh, PA 15251. Please identify the fee submission by labeling it ``Tolerance Petition Fees.''

        EPA is authorized to waive any fee requirement ``when in the judgement of the Administrator such a waiver or refund is equitable and not contrary to the purpose of this subsection.'' For additional information regarding the waiver of these fees, you may contact James Tompkins by phone at (703) 305-5697, by e-mail at tompkins.jim@epa.gov, or by mailing a request for information to Mr. Tompkins at Registration Division (7505C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.

        If you would like to request a waiver of the tolerance objection fees, you must mail your request for such a waiver to: James Hollins, Information Resources and Services Division (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.

      3. Copies for the Docket. In addition to filing an objection or hearing request with the Hearing Clerk as described in Unit VI.A., you should also send a copy of your request to the PIRIB for its inclusion in the official record that is described in Unit I.B.2. Mail your copies, identified by docket control number OPP-2002-0144, 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. In person or by courier, bring a copy to the location of the PIRIB described in Unit I.B.2. You may also send an electronic copy of your request via e-mail to: opp-docket@epa.gov. Please use an ASCII file format and avoid the use of special characters and any form of encryption. Copies of electronic objections and hearing requests will also be accepted on disks in WordPerfect 6.1/8.0 or ASCII file format. Do not include any CBI in your electronic copy. You may also submit an electronic copy of your request at many Federal Depository Libraries.

        [[Page 55346]]

    2. When Will the Agency Grant a Request for a Hearing?

      A request for a hearing will be granted if the Administrator determines that the material submitted shows the following: There is a genuine and substantial issue of fact; there is a reasonable possibility that available evidence identified by the requestor would, if established resolve one or more of such issues in favor of the requestor, taking into account uncontested claims or facts to the contrary; and resolution of the factual issues(s) in the manner sought by the requestor would be adequate to justify the action requested (40 CFR 178.32).

  7. Regulatory Assessment Requirements

    This final rule establishes a tolerances under FFDCA section 408(d) in response to a petition submitted to the Agency. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has exempted these types of actions from review under Executive Order 12866, entitled Regulatory Planning and Review (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993). Because this rule has been exempted from review under Executive Order 12866 due to its lack of significance, this rule is not subject to Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use (66 FR 28355, May 22, 2001). This final rule does not contain any information collections subject to OMB approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., or impose any enforceable duty or contain any unfunded mandate as described under Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (Public Law 104-4). Nor does it require any special considerations under Executive Order 12898, entitled Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994); or OMB review or any Agency action under Executive Order 13045, entitled Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997). This action does not involve any technical standards that would require Agency consideration of voluntary consensus standards pursuant to section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (NTTAA), Public Law 104-113, section 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 note). Since tolerances and exemptions that are established on the basis of a petition under FFDCA section 408(d), such as the tolerances in this final rule, do not require the issuance of a proposed rule, the requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) do not apply. In addition, the Agency has determined that this action will not have a substantial direct effect on States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government, as specified in Executive Order 13132, entitled Federalism(64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999). Executive Order 13132 requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful and timely input by State and local officials in the development of regulatory policies that have federalism implications.'' ``Policies that have federalism implications'' is defined in the Executive Order to include regulations that have ``substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.'' This final rule directly regulates growers, food processors, food handlers and food retailers, not States. This action does not alter the relationships or distribution of power and responsibilities established by Congress in the preemption provisions of FFDCA section 408(n)(4). For these same reasons, the Agency has determined that this rule does not have any ``tribal implications'' as described in Executive Order 13175, entitled Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments (65 FR 67249, November 6, 2000). Executive Order 13175, requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful and timely input by tribal officials in the development of regulatory policies that have tribal implications.'' ``Policies that have tribal implications'' is defined in the Executive Order to include regulations that have ``substantial direct effects on one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and the Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes.'' This rule will not have substantial direct effects on tribal governments, on the relationship between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, as specified in Executive Order 13175. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this rule.

  8. Submission to Congress and the Comptroller General

    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 final rule in the Federal Register. This final rule is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

    List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180

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

    Dated: August 16, 2002. Debra Edwards, Acting Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.

    Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I 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 374.

    2. Section 180.415 is amended by removing the entry for ``Citrus'' and alphabetically adding the following commodities to the table in paragraph (a) to read as follows:

      Sec. 180.415 Aluminum tris (O-ethylphosphonate); tolerances for residues.

      (a) * * *

      Commodity

      Parts per million

      Expiration/Revocation Date

      *

      *

      *

      *

      * Bushberry subgroup.............................

      40 None *

      *

      *

      *

      * Fruit, citrus, group...........................

      5.0 None

      [[Page 55347]]

      *

      *

      *

      *

      * Juneberry......................................

      40 None *

      *

      *

      *

      * Lingonberry....................................

      40 None *

      *

      *

      *

      * Pea, succulent.................................

      0.3 None *

      *

      *

      *

      * Salal..........................................

      40 None *

      *

      *

      *

      * Turnip, roots..................................

      15 None *

      *

      *

      *

      * Turnip, tops...................................

      40 None *

      *

      *

      *

      *

      * * * * *

      [FR Doc. 02-21757Filed8-28-02; 8:45 am]

      BILLING CODE 6560-50-S

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