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###### Environmental Protection Agency

          - [OPP-2005-0125; FRL-7738-4]

# AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

# ACTION:

Notice; extension of comment period.

# SUMMARY:

                        EPA issued a notice in the                         **Federal Register**                         of July 13, 2005, concerning the availability of EPA's human health risk assessment and related documents for the fumigant metam sodium.  This document is                               ( print page 53796)                            extending the comment period for 30 days, from September 12, 2005, to October 12, 2005.                    

# DATES:

Comments must be received on or before October 12, 2005.

# ADDRESSES:

                        Comments, identified by docket identification (ID) number OPP-2005-0125 may be submitted electronically, by mail, or through hand delivery/courier.  Follow the detailed instructions as provided in Unit I.C. of the                         **SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION**                         of the July 13, 2005                         **Federal Register**                         document.                    

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        Dirk Helder, Special Review and Reregistration Division (7508C), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental  Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (703) 305-4610; fax number: (703) 308-8041; e-mail address:                        *helder.dirk@epa.gov*.                    

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

## I. General Information

### A. Does this Action Apply to Me?

                     The Agency included in the July 13, 2005                     **Federal Register**                     document a list of those who may be potentially affected by this action.  If you have questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the person listed under                     **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT**                    .                

### B. How Can I Get Copies of this Document and Other Related Information?

                     1.                     *Docket*. EPA has established an official public docket for this action under docket ID number OPP-2005-0125.  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.                

                     2.                     *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.                

### C. How and to Whom Do I Submit Comments?

                     To submit comments, or access the official public docket, please follow the detailed instructions as provided in Unit I.C. of the                     **SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION**                     of the July 13, 2005                     **Federal Register**                     document.  If you have questions, consult the person listed under                     **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT**                    .                

## II. What Action is EPA Taking?

                     This document extends the public comment period established in the                     **Federal Register**                     of July 13, 2005 (70 FR 40333) (FRL-7722-1).  In that document, EPA made available the human health risk assessment for metam sodium and metam potassium. They are non-selective pre-plant soil fumigants with fungicidal, herbicidal, insecticidal, and nematicidal properties. Metam sodium is one of the most widely used agricultural pesticides in the U.S. and is presently registered on a wide variety of crop groups including:  root and tuber vegetables; bulb vegetables; leafy vegetables; Brassica (cole) leafy vegetables; legume vegetables; fruiting vegetables; cucurbit vegetables; citrus fruits; pome fruits; stone fruits; berries; tree nuts; cereal grains; nongrass livestock feeds; and herbs and spices. Metam sodium may be applied to plant beds as a soil drench treatment. It may also be applied to field or row crops during pre-plant and postharvest stages via chemigation, soil broadcast treatment, soil band treatment, soil-incorporated treatment, and soil-injection treatment. An estimated 51 million pounds of metam sodium is applied annually. Lesser amounts of metam potassium are used in the U.S.; unless further qualified or specified, use of the term ``metam sodium'' should be assumed to also include ``metam potassium.''  EPA is hereby extending the comment period, which was set to end on September 12, 2005, to October 12, 2005.                

# List of Subjects

      - Environmental protection
      - Pesticides and pests

Dated: September 7, 2005.

Debra Edwards,

Director, Special Review and Reregistration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.

[FR Doc. 05-18076 Filed 9-8-05; 2:30 pm]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-S