[Federal Register: November 16, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 220)]
[Notices]
[Page 69548-69550]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16no05-64]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPP-2005-0291; FRL-7744-9]
Tolerance Petitions for Pesticides on Food/Feed Crops and New
Inert Ingredients; Renewal of Pesticide Information Collection
Activities and Request for Comments
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) this notice announces that EPA is seeking public
comment on the following Information Collection Request (ICR):
Tolerance Petitions for Pesticides on Food/Feed Crops and New Inert
Ingredients (EPA ICR No. 0597.09, OMB Control No. 2070-0024). This is a
request to renew an existing ICR that is currently approved and due to
expire on August 31, 2006. The ICR describes the nature of the
information collection activity and its expected burden and costs.
Before submitting this ICR to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
for review and approval under the PRA, EPA is soliciting comments on
specific aspects of the collection.
DATES: Written comments, identified by the docket identification (ID)
number OPP-2005-0291, must be received on or before January 17, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted electronically, by mail, or
through hand delivery/courier. Follow the detailed instructions as
provided in Unit III. of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nathanael R. Martin, Field and
External Affairs Division (7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (703) 305-6475; fax
number: (703) 305-5884; e-mail address: martin.nathanael@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Does this Action Apply to Me?
You may be potentially affected by this action if you are a
business engaged in the manufacturing of pesticides and other
agricultural chemicals. Potentially affected entities may include, but
are not limited to:
Manufacturers of pesticides and other agricultural
chemicals (NAICS 325320), e.g., businesses engaged in the manufacture
of pesticides and who file a petition asking the Agency to take a
specific tolerance action.
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 above could also be
affected. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS)
codes have been provided to assist you and others in determining
whether this action might apply to certain entities. To determine
whether you or your business may be affected by this action, you should
carefully examine the applicability provisions in 40 CFR 180.7 through
180.41. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this
action to a particular entity, consult the person listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
II. How Can I Get Copies of this Document and Other Related
Information?
A. Docket
EPA has established an official public docket for this action under
docket identification (ID) number OPP-2005-0291. The official public
docket consists of the documents specifically referenced in this
action, any public comments received, and other information related to
this action. Although a part of the official docket, the public docket
does not include Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. The official
public docket is the collection of materials that is available for
public viewing at the Public Information and Records Integrity Branch
(PIRIB), Rm. 119, Crystal Mall 2, 1801 S. Bell St., Arlington,
VA. This docket facility is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday
through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The docket telephone number
is (703) 305-5805.
B. Electronic Access
You may access this Federal Register document electronically
through the EPA Internet under the ``Federal Register'' listings at
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/.
An electronic version of the public docket is available through
EPA's electronic public docket and comment system, EPA Dockets. You may
use EPA Dockets at http://www.epa.gov/edocket/ to submit or view public
comments, access the index listing of the contents of the official
public docket, and to access those documents in the public docket that
are available electronically. Once in the system, select ``search,''
then key in the appropriate docket ID number.
Certain types of information will not be placed in the EPA Dockets.
Information claimed as CBI and other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute, which is not included in the official public
docket, will not be available for public viewing in EPA's electronic
public docket. EPA's policy is that copyrighted material will not be
placed in EPA's electronic public docket but will be available only in
printed, paper form in the official public docket. To the extent
feasible, publicly available docket materials will be made available in
EPA's electronic public docket. When a document is selected from the
index list in EPA Dockets, the system will identify whether the
document is available for viewing in EPA's electronic public docket.
Although not all docket materials may be available electronically, you
may still access any of the publicly available docket materials through
the docket facility identified in Unit II.A. EPA intends to work
towards providing electronic access to all of the publicly available
docket materials through EPA's electronic public docket.
For public commenters, it is important to note that EPA's policy is
that public comments, whether submitted electronically or in paper,
will be made available for public viewing in EPA's electronic public
docket as EPA receives them and without change, unless the comment
contains copyrighted material, CBI, or other information whose
disclosure is restricted by statute. When EPA identifies a comment
containing copyrighted material, EPA will provide a reference to that
material in the version of the comment that is placed in EPA's
electronic public docket. The entire printed comment, including the
copyrighted material, will be available in the public docket.
Public comments submitted on computer disks that are mailed or
delivered to the docket will be transferred to EPA's electronic public
docket. Public comments that are mailed or delivered to the docket will
be scanned and placed in EPA's electronic public docket. Where
practical, physical objects will be photographed, and the photograph
will be placed in EPA's electronic public docket along with a brief
description written by the docket staff.
III. How Can I Respond to this Action?
A. How and To Whom Do I Submit Comments?
You may submit comments electronically, by mail, or through hand
delivery/courier. To ensure proper
[[Page 69549]]
receipt by EPA, identify the appropriate docket ID number in the
subject line on the first page of your comment. Please ensure that your
comments are submitted within the specified comment period. Comments
received after the close of the comment period will be marked ``late.''
EPA is not required to consider these late comments. If you wish to
submit CBI or information that is otherwise protected by statute,
please follow the instructions in Unit III.B. Do not use EPA Dockets or
e-mail to submit CBI or information protected by statute.
1. Electronically. If you submit an electronic comment as
prescribed in this unit, EPA recommends that you include your name,
mailing address, and an e-mail address or other contact information in
the body of your comment. Also include this contact information on the
outside of any disk or CD ROM you submit, and in any cover letter
accompanying the disk or CD ROM. This ensures that you can be
identified as the submitter of the comment and allows EPA to contact
you in case EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties
or needs further information on the substance of your comment. EPA's
policy is that EPA will not edit your comment, and any identifying or
contact information provided in the body of a comment will be included
as part of the comment that is placed in the official public docket,
and made available in EPA's electronic public docket. If EPA cannot
read your comment due to technical difficulties and cannot contact you
for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment.
i. EPA Dockets. Your use of EPA's electronic public docket to
submit comments to EPA electronically is EPA's preferred method for
receiving comments. Go directly to EPA Dockets at http://www.epa.gov/edocket/
, and follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
Once in the system, select ``search,'' and then key in docket ID number
OPP-2005-0291. The system is an ``anonymous access'' system, which
means EPA will not know your identity, e-mail address, or other contact
information unless you provide it in the body of your comment.
ii. E-mail. Comments may be sent by e-mail to opp-docket@epa.gov,
Attention: Docket ID Number OPP-2005-0291. In contrast to EPA's
electronic public docket, EPA's e-mail system is not an ``anonymous
access'' system. If you send an e-mail comment directly to the docket
without going through EPA's electronic public docket, EPA's e-mail
system automatically captures your e-mail address. E-mail addresses
that are automatically captured by EPA's e-mail system are included as
part of the comment that is placed in the official public docket, and
made available in EPA's electronic public docket.
iii. Disk or CD ROM. You may submit comments on a disk or CD ROM
that you mail to the mailing address identified in Unit III.A. These
electronic submissions will be accepted in WordPerfect or ASCII file
format. Avoid the use of special characters and any form of encryption.
2. By mail. Send your comments to: Public Information and Records
Integrity Branch (PIRIB) (7502C), Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP),
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC 20460-0001, Attention: Docket ID Number OPP-2005-0291.
3. By hand delivery or courier. Deliver your comments to: Public
Information and Records Integrity Branch (PIRIB), Office of Pesticide
Programs (OPP), Environmental Protection Agency, Rm. 119, Crystal Mall
2, 1801 S. Bell St., Arlington, VA, Attention: Docket ID
Number OPP-2005-0291. Such deliveries are only accepted during the
docket's normal hours of operation as identified in Unit II.A.
B. How Should I Submit CBI to the Agency?
Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI
electronically through EPA's electronic public docket or by e-mail. You
may claim information that you submit to EPA as CBI by marking any part
or all of that information as CBI (if you submit CBI on disk or CD ROM,
mark the outside of the disk or CD ROM as CBI and then identify
electronically within the disk or CD ROM the specific information that
is 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 docket and EPA's electronic public docket. If you submit
the copy that does not contain CBI on disk or CD ROM, mark the outside
of the disk or CD ROM clearly that it does not contain CBI. Information
not marked as CBI will be included in the public docket and EPA's
electronic public docket 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.
C. What Should I Consider when I Prepare My Comments for EPA?
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 of any technical information and/or data you used
that 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 collection activity.
7. Make sure to submit your comments by the deadline in this
notice.
8. To ensure proper receipt by EPA, be sure to identify the docket
ID number assigned to this action in the subject line on the first page
of your response. You may also provide the name, date, and Federal
Register citation.
D. What Information is EPA Particularly Interested in?
Pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA, EPA specifically
solicits comments and information to enable it to:
1. Evaluate whether the proposed collections of information are
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency,
including whether the information will have practical utility.
2. Evaluate the accuracy of the Agency's estimates of the burdens
of the proposed collections of information.
3. Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected.
4. Minimize the burden of the collections of information on those
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated
or electronic collection technologies or other forms of information
technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.
IV. What Information Collection Activity or ICR Does this Action Apply
to?
EPA is seeking comments on the following ICR:
Title: Tolerance Petitions for Pesticides on Food/Feed Crops and
New Inert Ingredients.
ICR numbers: EPA ICR No. 0597.09, OMB Control No. 2070-0024.
ICR status: This is a request to renew an existing ICR that is
currently
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approved and due to expire on August 31, 2006. The ICR describes the
nature of the information collection activity and its expected burden
and costs.
Abstract: The use of pesticides to increase crop production often
results in pesticide residues in or on the crop. To protect the public
health from unsafe pesticide residues, EPA sets limits on the nature
and level of residues permitted pursuant to section 408 of the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). A pesticide may not be used on
food or feed crops unless the Agency has established a tolerance
(maximum residue limit) for the pesticide residues on that crop, or
established an exemption from the requirement to have a tolerance.
It is EPA's responsibility to ensure that the maximum residue
levels likely to be found in or on food/feed crops are safe for human
consumption through a careful review and evaluation of residue
chemistry and toxicology data. In addition it must ensure that adequate
enforcement of the tolerance can be achieved through the testing of
submitted analytical methods. Once the data are deemed adequate to
support the findings, EPA will establish the tolerance or grant an
exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.
There are basically three types of tolerance actions:
Permanent tolerance (or an exemption from the requirement
for a permanent tolerance) for residues which would result from a
pesticide use registered under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
Temporary tolerance (or an exemption from the requirement
for a temporary tolerance) to permit the sale of commodities containing
residues resulting from authorized experimental use of an unregistered
pesticide.
Time-limited tolerance (or an exemption from the
requirement for a time-limited tolerance) to permit the sale of
commodities containing residues resulting from a pesticide whose use
was authorized under section 18 of FIFRA.
This ICR only applies to the information collection activities
associated with the submission of a petition for a tolerance action.
V. What are EPA's Burden and Cost Estimates for this ICR?
Under the PRA, ``burden'' means the total time, effort, or
financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain,
or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal Agency. For this
collection it includes the time needed to review instructions; develop,
acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes
of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and
maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information;
adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable
instructions and requirements; train personnel to be able to respond to
a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review
the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the
information.
The ICR provides a detailed explanation of this estimate, which is
only briefly summarized in this notice. The annual public burden is
258,900 hours. The following is a summary of the estimates taken from
the ICR:
Respondents/affected entities: Any person seeking a tolerance
action.
Estimated total number of potential respondents: 150.
Frequency of response: A petition is required only once for each
raw or processed commodity on which the pesticide is used.
Estimated total/average number of responses for each respondent: 1.
Estimated total annual burden hours: 258,900.
Estimated total annual burden costs: $23,973,150.
VI. Are There Changes in the Estimates from the Last Approval?
Respondent costs for this ICR have increased due to inflationary
adjustments in labor rates for both respondents and Agency personnel.
As a result, there is an increase of $537,450 in the estimated total
annual respondent cost (from $23,435,700 to $23,973,150).
VII. What is the Next Step in the Process for this ICR?
EPA will consider the comments received and amend the ICR as
appropriate. The final ICR package will then be submitted to OMB for
review and approval pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.12. EPA will issue another
Federal Register notice pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.5(a)(1)(iv) to announce
the submission of the ICR to OMB and the opportunity to submit
additional comments to OMB. If you have any questions about this ICR or
the approval process, please contact the person listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
List of Subjects
Environmental protection, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: November 3, 2005.
Susan B. Hazen,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic
Substances.
[FR Doc. 05-22549 Filed 11-15-05; 8:45 am]
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