Pesticides: Science Policy Issues Related to the Food Quality Protection Act; Extension of Comment Period

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPP-00625A; FRL-6486-6]

Pesticides: Science Policy Issues Related to the Food Quality

Protection Act; Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: On November 10, 1999, EPA issued a notice of availability for

the draft science policy paper entitled ``Guidance for Performing

Aggregate Exposure and Risk Assessments.'' The comment period would

have ended January 10, 2000. Due to the holidays, EPA has decided to

extend the comment period to February 9, 2000.

DATES: Comments, identified by docket control number OPP-00625, must be

received by EPA on or before February 9, 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-00625 in the subject line on the first page of your

response.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: : Carol Christensen, Environmental

Protection Agency (7505C), 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC

20460; telephone number: (703) 305-6230; fax number: (703) 305-7147; e-

mail address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

You may be potentially affected by this action if you manufacture

or formulate pesticides. Potentially affected categories and entities

may include, but are not limited to:

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Examples of

Categories NAICS potentially

affected entities

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Pesticide Producers 32532 Pesticide

manufacturers

Pesticide

formulators

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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 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 affects certain entities. If you have any questions regarding

the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the

person listed in the ``FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.''

B. 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 paper, 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'' 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 paper, as well as supporting information, by using a

faxphone to call (202) 401-0527. Select item 6043 for the paper

entitled ``Guidance for Performing Aggregate Exposure and Risk

Assessments.'' You may also follow the automated menu.

3. In person. The Agency has established an official record for

this proposed guideline under docket control number OPP-00625. The

official record consists of the documents specifically referenced in

this action, any public comments received during an applicable comment

period, 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 Highway,

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.

C. 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 control number OPP-00625 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, 401 M St., SW., 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 8:30

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: ``[email protected],'' or mail your computer disk to the

address identified above. Do not submit any information electronically

that you consider to be

[[Page 460]]

CBI. Electronic comments must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding

the use of special characters and any form of encryption. Comments and

data will also be accepted on standard computer disks in Wordperfect

6.1/8.0 or ASCII file format. All comments in electronic form must be

identified by the docket control number OPP-00625. Electronic comments

may also be filed online at many Federal Depository Libraries.

D. 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.''

II. What Action is EPA Taking?

The Agency has issued the draft science policy paper entitled

``Guidance for Performing Aggregate Exposure and Risk Assessments'' and

solicited comments on it. The background on this document can be found

in the previous Federal Register notice published on November 10, 1999

(64 FR 61343) (FRL-6388-8). Due to the holidays, a time extension of

one month is being provided such that the comment period will now end

on February 9, 2000.

List of Subjects

Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure,

Agricultural commodities, Pesticides and pests.

Dated: December 27, 1999.

Susan H. Wayland,

Deputy Assistant Administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic

Substances.

[FR Doc. 00-74 Filed 1-4-00; 8:45 am]

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