Pesticide Registration Review; Proposed Decisions for Several Pesticides; Notice of Availability and Request for Comment

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is announcing the availability of and soliciting comment on EPA's proposed interim decisions for the following pesticides: Malathion and mancozeb.

DATES:

Comments must be received on or before September 16, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

Submit your comments, identified by the docket identification (ID) number for the specific pesticide of interest provided in table 1 of unit II., through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Additional instructions on commenting and visiting the docket, along with more information about dockets generally, is available at https://www.epa.gov/dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For pesticide specific information: The Chemical Review Manager for the pesticide of interest identified in table 1 of unit II.

For general information: Melanie Biscoe, Pesticide Re-Evaluation Division (7508P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (202) 566-0701; email address: biscoe.melanie@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Does this action apply to me?

This action is directed to the public in general and may be of interest to a wide range of stakeholders including environmental, human health, farm worker, and agricultural advocates; the chemical industry; pesticide users; and members of the public interested in the sale, distribution, or use of pesticides. Since others also may be interested, the Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may be affected by this action. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the Chemical Review Manager identified in table 1 of unit II.

II. What action is the Agency taking?

Pursuant to 40 CFR 155.58(a), this notice announces the availability of EPA's proposed interim and proposed registration review decisions for the pesticides shown in table 1 and opens a 60-day public comment period on the proposed interim and proposed registration review decisions.

III. What is the Agency's authority for taking this action?

EPA is conducting its registration review of the chemicals listed in the table 1 of unit II. pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) section 3(g) (7 U.S.C. 136a(g)) and the Procedural Regulations for Registration Review at 40 CFR part 155, subpart C. FIFRA Section 3(g) provides, among other things, that pesticide registrations are to be reviewed every 15 years. Consistent with 40 CFR 155.57, in its final registration review decision, EPA will ultimately determine whether a pesticide continues to meet the registration standard in FIFRA section 3(c)(5) (7 U.S.C. 136a(c)(5)). As part of the registration review process, the Agency has completed a proposed interim or proposed decision for each of the pesticides listed in table 1 of unit II.

The registration review docket for a pesticide includes documents related to the registration review case. Among other things, these documents describe EPA's rationales for conducting additional risk assessments for the registration review of the pesticides included in table 1 of unit II., as well as the Agency's subsequent risk findings and consideration of possible risk mitigation measures. The proposed interim and proposed registration review decisions are supported by the rationales included in those documents.

Consistent with 40 CFR 155.58(a), EPA provides for at least a 60-day public comment period on proposed interim and proposed registration review decisions. This comment period is intended to provide an opportunity for public input and a mechanism for initiating any necessary amendments to the proposed decision.

For additional background on the registration review program, see: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-reevaluation.

IV. What should I consider as I prepare comment for EPA?

1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit CBI to EPA through email or https://www.regulations.gov. If you wish to include CBI in your comment, please follow the applicable instructions at https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets#rules and clearly mark the information that you claim to be CBI. Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2.

2. Tips for Preparing Your Comments. When preparing and submitting your comments, see the commenting tips at: https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.

3. Environmental Justice. EPA seeks to achieve environmental justice, the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of any group, including minority and/or low-income populations, in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. To help address potential environmental justice issues, the Agency seeks information on any groups or segments of the population who, as a result of their location, cultural practices, or other factors, may have atypical or disproportionately high and adverse human health impacts or environmental effects from exposure to the pesticides discussed in this document, compared to the general population.

All comments should be submitted using the methods in ADDRESSES and must be received by EPA on or before the closing date. These comments will become part of the docket for the pesticides included in table 1 in unit I. The Agency will consider all comments received by the closing date and may respond to comments in a “Response to Comments Memorandum” in the docket and/or in any subsequent interim or final registration review decision, as appropriate.

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.