11450 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 48 / Wednesday, March 12, 1997 / Notices

The official rulemaking record is the

paper record maintained at the address

in ‘‘ADDRESSES’’ at the beginning of

this document.

The Agency, accordingly, will review

and consider all comments received

during the comment period in

determining whether to issue the

emergency exemptions requested by the

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

and the California Department of

Pesticide Regulation.

List of Subjects

Environmental protection, Pesticides

and pests, Emergency exemptions.

Dated: February 28, 1997.

Peter Caulkins,

Acting Director, Registration Division, Office

of Pesticide Programs.

[FR Doc. 97–6013 Filed 3–11–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560–50–F

[PF–721; FRL–5592–7]

BASF Corporation; Pesticide

Tolerance Petition Filing

AGENCY: Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of filing.

SUMMARY: This notice announces the

filing of pesticide petitions proposing

the tolerances for residues of the

pesticide pyridaben, [2-tert-butyl-5-(4-

ter-butylbenzylthio)-4-chloropyridazin3(2H)-one] and its metabolites PB-7 (2-

tert-butyl-5-[4-(1-carboxy-1-

methylethyl)benzylthio]-4-

chloropyridazin-3(2H)-one) and PB-9 (2-

tert-butyl-4-chloro-5-[4-(1,1-dimethyl-2-

hydroxyethyl)benzylthio]-

chloropyridazin-3(2H)-one). BASF is

petitioning EPA for the establishment of

tolerances for use of pyridaben to

control certain pests on apples, pears,

citrus, almonds, peaches (imported

commodity), plums (imported

commodity), and grapes (imported

commodity). The proposed tolerances

for pyridaben are: apples at 0.6 ppm,

wet apple pomace at 1.0 ppm, pears at

0.75 ppm, citrus at 0.5 ppm, dried citrus

pulp at 1.5 ppm, citrus oil at 10.0 ppm,

almonds at 0.05 ppm, almond hulls at

4.0 ppm, peaches at 0.05 ppm, plums at

0.05 ppm, and grapes at 0.75 ppm. The

proposed tolerances for pyridaben and

its metabolites are: milk at 0.01 ppm,

meat at 0.05 ppm, meat by-products at

0.05 ppm, and fat at 0.05 ppm. This

summary was prepared by the

petitioner.

DATES: Comments, identified by the

docket control number [PF–721], must

be received on or before April 11, 1997.

ADDRESSES: By mail, submit written

comments 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. 1132 CM #2, 1921

Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA

22202. Comments and data may also be

submitted electronically by sending

electronic mail (e-mail) to: oppdocket@epamail.epa.gov. 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 disks in WordPerfect 5.1

file format or in ASCII file format. All

comments and data in electronic form

must be identified by the docket control

number [PF–721]. Electronic comments

on this notice may be filed online at

many Federal Depository Libraries.

Additional information on electronic

submissions can be found in Unit II. of

this document.

Information submitted as comments

concerning this notice may be claimed

confidential by marking any part or all

of that information as ‘‘Confidential

Business Information’’ (CBI). The CBI

should not be submitted through e-mail.

Information marked as CBI 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. All written

comments will be available for public

inspection in Rm. 1132 at the address

given above, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.,

Monday through Friday, excluding legal

holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Richard Keigwin, Product Manager (PM)

10, Registration Division (7505C), Office

of Pesticide Programs, Environmental

Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW.,

Washington, DC 20460. Office location,

telephone number, and e-mail: Crystal

Mall #2, Rm. 210, 1921 Jefferson Davis

Highway, Arlington, VA 22202, 703–

305–6788, e-mail:

keigwin.richard@epamail.epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA has

received pesticide petitions (PP) 5F4543

(on citrus), 4E4370 (on imported

commodities) and 6F4651 (apples),

6F4741 (almonds), and 6F4721 (pears)

from BASF Corporation, Agricultural

Products, PO Box 13528, Research

Triangle Park, NC 27709. The petition

proposes, pursuant to section 408 of the

Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act

(FFDCA), 21 U.S.C section 346a, to

amend 40 CFR part 180 to establish

tolerances for the pesticide pyridaben

[2-tert-butyl-5-(4-ter-butylbenzylthio)-4-

chloropyridazin-3(2H)-one] in or on the

raw agricultural commodities: apples,

wet apple pomace, pears, citrus, dried

citrus pulp, citrus oil, almonds, almond

hulls, peaches, plums, and grapes,

respectively. The petition also proposes

to establish tolerances for pyridaben and

its metabolites PB-7 (2-tert-butyl-5-[4-(1-

carboxy-1-methylethyl)benzylthio]-4-

chloropyridazin-3(2H)-one) and PB-9 (2-

tert-butyl-4-chloro-5-[4-(1,1-dimethyl-2-

hydroxyethyl)benzylthio]-

chloropyridazin-3(2H)-one) in or on the

raw agricultural commodities: milk,

meat, meat-by-products, and fat. EPA

has determined that the petitions

contain data or information regarding

the elements set forth in section

408(d)(2) of the FFDCA; however, EPA

has not fully evaluated the sufficiency

of the submitted data at this time or

whether the data supports granting of

this petition. Additional data may be

needed before EPA rules on the petition.

As required by section 408(d) of the

FFDCA, as recently amended by the

Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA),

Pub. L. 104–170, BASF included in the

petition a summary of the petition and

authorization for the summary to be

published in the Federal Register in a

notice of receipt of the petition. The

summary represents the views of BASF.

EPA is in the process of evaluating the

petition. As required by section

408(d)(3) of the FFDCA, EPA is

including the summary as a part of the

notice of filing. EPA may have made

minor edits to the summary for the

purpose of clarity.

I. Petition Summary

A. Plant and Animal Metabolism

BASF Corporation notes that

metabolism in plants and animals is

understood.

B. Analytical Method

The proposed analytical method

involves extraction, partition, clean-up

and detection of residues by gas

chromatography/electron capture

detector (gc/ecd).

C. Magnitude of the Residues

Nine pear residue trials were

conducted in six states. Residues of

pyridaben were measured by gc/ecd.

The method of detection had a limit of

detection of 0.05 parts per million

(ppm). Residues ranged from 0.07 to

0.58 ppm.

Twelve apple residue trials were

conducted in six states. Residues of
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 48 / Wednesday, March 12, 1997 / Notices 11451

pyridaben were measured by gc/ecd.

The method of detection had a limit of

detection of 0.05 ppm. Residues ranged

from 0.08 to 0.44 ppm.

Nineteen citrus residue trials were

conducted in four states. Residues of

pyridaben were measured by gc/ecd.

The method of detection had a limit of

detection of 0.05 ppm. Residues ranged

from 0.05 to 0.42 ppm.

Eight almond residue trials were

conducted in California. Residues of

pyridaben were measured by gc/ecd.

The method of detection had a limit of

detection of 0.05 ppm. Residues were <

0.05 ppm in all trials.

Eight peach residue trials were

conducted in Chile. Residues of

pyridaben were measured by gc/ecd.

The method of detection had a limit of

detection of 0.05 ppm. Residues were <

0.05 ppm in all trials.

Six plum residue trials were

conducted in Chile. Residues of

pyridaben were measured by gc/ecd.

The method of detection had a limit of

detection of 0.05 ppm. Residues were <

0.05 ppm in all trials.

Eight grape residue trials were

conducted in Chile. Residues of

pyridaben were measured by gc/ecd.

The method of detection had a limit of

detection of 0.05 ppm. Residues ranged

from < 0.05 to 0.22 ppm.

D. Toxicological Profile

1. Acute toxicity testing. a. Acute oral

toxicity (rat): LD50 = 1100 milligrams/

kilogram (mg/kg) in males; 570 mg/kg in

females. Tox Category: III

b. Acute oral toxicity (mouse): LD50 =

424 mg/kg in males; 383 mg/kg in

females. Tox Category: II

c. Acute dermal toxicity (rat): LD50 =

> 2000 mg/kg in males and females. Tox

Category: III

d. Acute inhalation toxicity (rat): LC50

= 0.66 mg/l in males; 0.62 mg/l in

females. Tox Category: III

e. Primary eye irritation (rabbit):

Pyridaben is a slight ocular irritant. Tox

Category: III

f. Primary dermal irritation (rabbit):

Pyridaben is not a dermal irritant. Tox

Category: IV

g. Dermal sensitization (guinea pig):

Pyridaben is not a dermal sensitizer.

2. Acute neurotoxicity (rat): Rats were

dosed once with 0, 50, 100 and 200 mg/

kg. The no observed effect level (NOEL)

for systemic toxicity was determined to

be 50 mg/kg for both males and females.

The lowest observed effect level (LOEL)

for systemic effects was determined to

be 100 mg/kg in both sexes based on

decreased food consumption, decreased

body weight gain and increased clinical

signs. The LOEL for neurobehavioral

effects was determined to be 200 mg/kg

in males and >200 mg/kg in females.

3. Subchronic toxicity testing. a. 21–

Day dermal (rat): Rats were repeatedly

dosed with pyridaben at 0, 30, 100, 300

and 1000 mg/kg/day for 21 days. The

NOEL was determined to be 100 mg/kg/

day and the LOEL 300 mg/kg/day based

on decreased body weight gain in

females.

b. 90–Day rodent (rat): CD rats were

dosed with pyridaben at 0, 30, 65, 155

and 350 ppm in the diet for 13 weeks.

The NOEL was determined to be 65

ppm (4.94 mg/kg/day) for males and 30

ppm (2.64 mg/kg/day) in females. The

LOEL for males was determined to be

155 ppm (11.55 mg/kg/day) based on

reduced body weight gain, reduced food

consumption, reduced food efficiency,

and altered clinical pathology

parameters. The LOEL for females was

determined to be 65 ppm (5.53 mg/kg/

day) based on reduced body weight gain

and reduced food efficiency.

c. 90–Day non-rodent (dog): Beagle

dogs were dosed with pyridaben at 0,

0.5, 1, 4, and 16 mg/kg/day in the diet

for 13 weeks. The NOEL was

determined to be 1 mg/kg/day and the

LOEL determined to be 4 mg/kg/day

based on reduced body weight gain and

an increase in clinical signs in both

sexes.

d. 90–Day neurotoxicity (rat): Rats

were dosed with pyridaben at 0, 30, 100,

and 350 ppm in the diet for 13 weeks.

The systemic NOEL was determined to

be 100 ppm (equivalent to 8.5 mg/kg/

day in males and 9.3 mg/kg/day in

females). The systemic LOEL was

determined to be 350 ppm (equivalent

to 28.8 mg/kg/day in males and 31.1

mg/kg/day in females) based on

decreased body weight gain, decreased

food consumption and decreased food

efficiency. No neuropathological effects

were noted in the study.

4. Chronic toxicity testing. a. 1–Year

non-rodent (dog): Two studies were run.

In the first, beagle dogs were dosed with

pyridaben at 0, 1, 4, 16 and 32 mg/kg/

day in the diet for one year. In the

second, beagle dogs were dosed with

pyridaben at 0 and 0.5 mg/kg/day in the

diet for 1 year. The NOEL was

determined to be <0.5 ppm and LOEL

determined to be 0.5 mg/kg/day based

on increased clinical signs and

decreased body weight gain in both

sexes.

b. Combined rodent chronic toxicity/

carcinogenicity (rat): Wistar rats were

fed 0, 4, 10, 28 and 80 ppm pyridaben

in the diet to assess carcinogenicity and

0, 4, 10, 28 and 120 ppm in the diet to

assess chronic toxicity for 104 weeks.

The NOEL was determined to be 28

ppm in both sexes (equivalent to 1.13

mg/kg/day in males and 1.46 mg/kg/day

in females). The LOEL was determined

to be 120 ppm in both sexes (equivalent

to 5.0 mg/kg/day in males and 6.52 mg/

kg/day in females) based on decreased

body weight gain in both sexes and

decreased alanineamino transferase

(ALT) levels in males. Pyridaben was

not carcinogenic under the conditions of

the test.

c. Carcinogenicity in the rodent

(mouse): CD-1 mice were fed 0, 2.5, 8.0,

25 and 80 ppm pyridaben in the diet for

78 weeks. The NOEL was determined to

be 25 ppm in both sexes (equivalent to

2.78 mg/kg/day in both sexes). The

LOEL was determined to be 80 ppm in

both sexes (equivalent to 8.88 mg/kg/

day in males and 9.74 mg/kg/day in

females) based on decreased body

weight gain, decreased food efficiency

and changes in organ weights and

histopathology. Pyridaben was not

carcinogenic under the conditions of the

test.

5. Developmental toxicity testing. a.

Developmental toxicity (rat): SpragueDawley rats were dosed with 0, 2.5, 5.7,

13 and 30 mg/kg/day pyridaben in the

diet from days 6 through 15 of gestation.

The maternal NOEL was determined to

be 4.7 mg/kg/day and the maternal

LOEL was determined to be 13 mg/kg/

day based on decreased body weight

gain, and decreased food consumption

during the dosing period. The

developmental NOEL was determined to

be 13 mg/kg/day and the developmental

LOEL was determined to be 30 mg/kg/

day based on decreased fetal body

weight and an increase in incomplete

ossification in selected bones.

b. Developmental toxicity (rabbit):

New Zealand white rabbits were dosed

with 0, 1.5, 5, and 15 mg/kg/day

pyridaben in the diet from days 6

through 19 of gestation. The maternal

NOEL was determined to be 5 mg/kg/

day and the maternal LOEL was

determined to be 15 mg/kg/day based on

decreased body weight gain, and

decreased food consumption during the

dosing period. The developmental

NOEL was determined to be <15 mg/kg/

day and the developmental LOEL was

determined to be <15 mg/kg/day.

c. Developmental toxicity (rabbit):

Himalayan rabbits were dosed, by

dermal application, with 0, 70, 170 and

450 mg/kg/day pyridaben from days 6

through 19 of gestation. The maternal

systemic NOEL was determined to be 70

mg/kg/day and the maternal LOEL was

determined to be 170 mg/kg/day based

on decreased body weight gain, and

decreased food consumption during the

dosing period. The developmental

NOEL was determined to be 170 mg/kg/

day and the LOEL determined to be 450
11452 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 48 / Wednesday, March 12, 1997 / Notices

mg/kg/day based on decreased

ossification of the skull.

6. Reproductive toxicity testing. Multigeneration reproduction (rat): CD rats

were dosed with 0, 10, 28 and 80 ppm

pyridaben in the diet. The parental/

systemic NOEL was determined to be 28

ppm in both sexes (equivalent to 2.20

mg/kg/day in males and 2.41 mg/kg/day

in females). The parental/systemic

LOEL was determined to be 80 ppm

(equivalent to 6.31 mg/kg/day in males

and 7.82 mg/kg/day in females) based

on decreased body weight, decreased

body weight gain and decreased food

efficiency. The reproductive NOEL and

LOEL were both determined to be >80

ppm in males and females.

7. Mutagenicity testing. a. Ames

Testing: Negative

b. In vitro cytogenicity (Chinese

hamster lung cells): Negative

c. In vivo micronucleus assay (mouse):

Negative

d. DNA damage/repair (E. coli):

Negative

E. Threshold Effects

Based on the available chronic

toxicity data, EPA has established the

Reference Dose (RfD) for pyridaben at

0.005 mg/kg/day. The RfD for pyridaben

is based on a 1-year feeding study in

dogs with a threshold LOEL of 0.5 mg/

kg/day based on increased clinical signs

and decreased body weight gain in both

sexes and an uncertainty factor of 100.

F. Non-Threshold Effects

Using its Guidelines for Carcinogenic

Risk Assessment, EPA has classified

pyridaben as Group ‘‘E ’’ for

carcinogenicity (no evidence of

carcinogenicity) based on the results of

carcinogenicity studies in two species.

There was no evidence of

carcinogenicity in an 18-month feeding

study in mice and a 2-year feeding study

in rats at the dosage levels tested. The

doses tested were adequate for

identifying a cancer risk. Thus, a cancer

risk assessment is not necessary.

G. Aggregate Exposure

1. Dietary exposure. Since pyridaben

is regulated based upon noncarcinogenic chronic toxicity, BASF

conducted a DRES analysis based on

anticipated residue levels determined

by EPA. The anticipated residue levels

were derived from the average residue

levels from field trials conducted at the

maximum proposed use rate and

minimum pre-harvest interval, and a

correction factor of 2.3 to account for all

organosoluble residues as determined

by EPA. This analysis demonstrates that

the exposure to non-nursing infants < 1

year, the most sensitive subpopulation

is approximately 73.4 percent of the RfD

and to the general population exposure

is approximately 11.3 percent of the

RfD.

2. ‘‘Other’’ exposure. Other potential

sources of exposure of the general

population to residues of pesticides are

residues in drinking water and exposure

from non-occupational sources. Based

on the studies submitted to EPA for

assessment of environmental risk, BASF

does not anticipate exposure to residues

of pyridaben in drinking water. There is

no established maximum concentration

level for residues of pyridaben in

drinking water under the Safe Drinking

Water Act. BASF has not estimated nonoccupational exposure for pyridaben

since the current registration for

pyridaben is limited to commercial

greenhouse use for non-food ornamental

plants and the only other domestic use

will be for commercial apple, pear,

citrus and almond production. The

potential for non-occupational exposure

to the general population is considered

to be insignificant.

3. Cumulative exposure. BASF also

considered the potential for cumulative

effects of pyridaben and other

substances that have a common

mechanism of toxicity. BASF has

concluded that consideration of a

common mechanism of toxicity is not

appropriate at this time since there is no

reliable information to indicate that

toxic effects produced by pyridaben

would be cumulative with those of any

other chemical compounds.

H. Determination of Safety for U.S.

Population

Using the exposure assumptions

described in Unit I.G. of this document,

BASF concludes that aggregate exposure

to pyridaben will utilize approximately

11.3 percent of the RfD for the U.S.

population. EPA generally has no

concern for exposures below 100

percent of the RfD. Therefore, based on

the completeness and reliability of the

toxicity data and the conservative

exposure assessment, BASF concludes

that there is a reasonable certanity that

no harm will result from aggregate

exposure to residues of pyridaben,

including all anticipated dietary

exposure and all other non-occupational

exposures.

I. Determination of Safety for Infants

and Children

Developmental toxicity (delayed

ossification) was observed in

developmental toxicity studies using

rats and rabbits. The NOEL’s for

developmental effects were established

at 13 mg/kg/day in the rat study and 15

mg/kg/day in the rabbit study. The

developmental effect observed in these

studies is believed to be a secondary

effect resulting from maternal stress

(decreased body weight gain and food

consumption).

In a 2-generation reproduction study

in rats, pups from the high dose group,

which were fed diets containing 80 ppm

(equivalent to 6.31 and 7.82 mg/kg/day

in male and females, respectively)

gained less weight beginning on

lactation day 14. Parental/systemic

toxicity including decreased body

weights, body weight gains and food

efficiency in males, and slightly

decreased body weights and body

weight gains in females during lactation

was also observed in the high dose

group. The results of this study indicate

that the loss in weight gain in pups from

the high dose group was affected by

nursing.

No clear scientific consensus yet

exists to determine the most appropriate

endpoints for assessing risk in children.

However, in consideration of the data

that show both developmental and

reproductive toxicity were effects

secondary to parental toxicity, BASF

believes that the established RfD of

0.005 mg/kg/day is the most

conservative approach for assessing risk

in children. Using the exposure

assumptions described in Unit I.G. of

this document, BASF has concluded

that the percent of the RfD that will be

utilized by aggregate exposure to

residues of pyridaben from the proposed

use in citrus, apples, pears, almonds,

peaches, plums, and grapes is

approximately 73.4 percent for nonnursing infants (<1 year), the most

sensitive sub-population. Based on the

completeness and reliability of the

toxicity data and the conservative

exposure assessment, BASF concludes

that there is a reasonable certainty that

no harm will result in infants and

children from aggregate exposure to the

residues of pyridaben, including all

anticipated dietary exposure and all

other non-occupational exposures.

J. Other Considerations

The qualitative nature of the residues

in plants and animals is adequately

understood. Residues of the parent

molecule, pyridaben are the only

residues of concern. Residues of

pyridaben do not concentrate in the

processed commodities apple and citrus

juice. There is a practical analytical

method for detecting and measuring

levels of pyridaben in or on food with

a limit of detection that allows

monitoring of food with residues at or

above the levels set in these tolerances.
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 48 / Wednesday, March 12, 1997 / Notices 11453

K. International Tolerances

A maximum residue level has not

been established for pyridaben by the

Codex Alimentarius Commission.

II. Public Record

EPA invites interested persons to

submit comments on this notice of

filing. Comments must bear a

notification indicating the docket

control number [PF–721]. All written

comments filed in response to this

petition will be available, in the Public

Response and Program Resources

Branch, at the address given above from

8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through

Friday, except legal holidays. A record

has been established for this notice

under docket control number [PF–721]

(including comments and data

submitted electronically as described

below). A public version of this record,

including printed, paper versions of

electronic comments, which does not

include any information claimed as CBI,

is available for inspection from 8:30

a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday,

excluding legal holidays. The public

record is located in Rm. 1132 of the

Public Response and Program Resources

Branch, Field Operations Division

(7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs,

Environmental Protection Agency,

Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis

Highway, Arlington, VA.

Electronic comments can be sent

directly to EPA at:

opp-docket@epamail.epa.gov.

Electronic comments must be

submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the

use of special characters and any form

of encryption. The official record for

this notice, as well as the public

version, as described above, will be kept

in paper form. Accordingly, EPA will

transfer all comments received

electronically into printed, paper form

as they are received and will place the

paper copies in the official record which

will also include all comments

submitted directly in writing. The

official record is the paper record

maintained at the address in

‘‘ADDRESSES’’ at the beginning of this

document.

Authority: 21 U.S.C. 346a.

List of Subjects

Environmental protection,

Administrative practice and procedure,

Agricultural commodities, Pesticides

and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping

requirements.

Dated: March 6, 1997.

Peter Caulkins,

Acting Director, Registration Division, Office

of Pesticide Programs.

[FR Doc. 97–6209 Filed 3–11–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560–50–F

[OPP–50827; FRL–5595–2]

Receipt of a Notification to Conduct

Small-Scale Field Testing of a

Genetically Engineered Microbial

Pesticide

AGENCY: Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt

of a notification (352-NMP-L) of intent

to conduct small-scale field testing

involving a baculovirus, Autographa

californica Multiple Nuclear

Polyhedrosis Virus (AcMNPV), which

has been genetically engineered to

express a synthetic gene which encodes

for an insect-specific toxin from the

scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus

hebraeus. Dupont intends to test this

microbial pesticide on leafy vegetables

in six states. Target pests for these field

trials include: the cabbage looper,

Trichoplusia ni, and the diamondback

moth, Plutella xylostella. The Agency

has determined that the notification

may be of regional and national

significance. Therefore, in accordance

with 40 CFR 172.11(a), the Agency is

soliciting public comments on this

notification.

DATES: Written comments must be

submitted to EPA by April 11, 1997.

ADDRESSES: By mail, submit written

comments identified by the docket

control number [OPP–50827] to: Public

Response and Program Resources

Branch, Field Operations Divisions

(7506C), Office of Pesticide Programs,

Environmental Protection Agency, 401

M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460. In

person, bring comments to:

Environmental Protection Agency, Rm.

1132, CM #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Hwy.,

Arlington, VA.

Comments and data may also be

submitted electronically by sending

electronic mail (e-mail) to: oppdocket@epamail.epa.gov. Electronic

comments must be submitted as an

ASCII file avoiding the use of special

characters and any form of encryption.

Comments and data will be accepted on

disks in Wordperfect 5.1 file format or

ASCII file format. All comments and

data in electronic form must be

identified by the docket control number

[OPP–50827]. No Confidential Business

Information (CBI) should be submitted

through e-mail. Electronic comments on

this notice may be filed online at many

Federal Depository Libraries. Additional

information on electronic submissions

can be found below in this document.

Information submitted as a comment

concerning this document 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 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. All written

comments will be available for public

inspection in Rm. 1132 at the Virginia

address given above from 8:30 a.m. to 4

p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding

legal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

William R. Schneider, Biopesticides and

Pollution Prevention Division (7501W),

Office of Pesticide Programs,

Environmental Protection Agency, 401

M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460.

Office location, telephone number, and

e-mail address: 5th Floor, CS #1, 2805

Jefferson Davis Hwy., Arlington, VA,

(703) 308–8683, e-mail:

schneider.william@epamail.epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: EPA

received a notification from DuPont

Agricultural Products of Delaware (352-

NMP-L). The proposed small-scale field

trial involves the introduction of a

genetically engineered isolate of the

baculovirus, Autographa californica

Multiple Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus

(AcMNPV), which has been genetically

engineered to express a synthetic gene

which encodes for an insect-specific

toxin from the venom of the scorpion

Leiurus quinquestriatus hebraeus.

The purpose of the proposed testing

will be to assess and compare the

efficacy of formulated and unformulated

genetically engineered construct,

formulated and unformulated wild type

AcMNPV, and various controls against

the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni, and

the diamondback moth, Plutella

xylostella. The proposed program will

be conducted in spring 1997, and will

consist of one trial per site. There will

be one site per state in Georgia (0.12

acres), Florida (0.25 acres), Mississippi

(0.12 acres), California (0.12 acres),

Texas (0.37 acres), and Illinois (0.37

acres). The total amount of AcMNPV for

all of the testing will not exceed 2.2E13

occlusion bodies for each of the viruses

tested. The test sites will either be 2

rows or 4 rows wide and 50 feet long.