Receipt of Notification to Conduct Small-Scale Testing of Nonindigenous Microbial Pesticides

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[OPP-50798; FRL-4901-7]

Receipt of Notification to Conduct Small-Scale Testing of

Nonindigenous Microbial Pesticides

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces EPA's receipt of two notifications of

intent to conduct small-scale testing of nonindigenous strains of

Bacillus thuringiensis from the Ciba-Geigy Corporation.

DATES: Written comments must be received by August 26, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments, in triplicate, should bear the docket control

number OPP-50798 and be submitted to: Public Response and Program

Resources Branch, Field Operations Division (7506C), Office of

Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW.,

Washington, DC 20460. In person bring comments to: Rm. 1128, Crystal

Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202.

Information submitted in any comment concerning this notice may be

claimed confidential by marking any part or all of that information as

``Confidential Business Information'' (CBI). Information so marked will

not be disclosed except in accordance with procedures set forth in 40

CFR part 2. A copy of the comment 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 to

the submitter. Written comments will be available for public inspection

in Rm. 1128 at the address given above, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,

Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: By mail: Phillip O. Hutton, Product

Manager (PM) 18, Registration Division (7505C), Office of Pesticide

Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington,

DC 20460. Office location and telephone number: Rm. 213, Crystal Mall

#2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202, (703)305-7690.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Two notifications of intent to conduct

small-scale field testing pursuant to the EPA's Statement of Policy

entitled ``Microbial Products Subject to the Federal Insecticide,

Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and the Toxic Substances Control Act,''

published in the Federal Register of June 26, 1986 (51 FR 23313), have

been received by Ciba-Geigy Corporation of Greensboro, North Carolina.

The purpose of the proposed testing is to determine the biological

activity of several among 16 nonindigenous strains of Bacillus

thuringiensis against the Colorado potato beetle on potatoes and among

17 nonindigenous strains of Bacillus thuringiensis against Heliothis

species on cotton. Potato testing will take place in New York and

Wisconsin over a 3-year period with 0.11 acres per year per strain

being evaluated. Treated potatoes will be destroyed subsequent to

testing. Cotton testing will take place in Florida and Mississippi over

a 3-year period with 0.66 acres per strain per year being evaluated.

Cotton treated with these strains will not be processed into food or

feed items.

Following review of the Ciba-Geigy Corporation application and any

comments received in response to this Notice, EPA will decide whether

or not an Experimental Use Permit is required.

Dated: July 15, 1994.

Lois A. Rosi,

Acting Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.

[FR Doc. 94-18227 Filed 7-26-94; 8:45 am]

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