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The EPA decides to Not Allow PCNB
To be Re-registered for Use on Turf

The EPA has made a preliminary decision to not allow PCNB to be re-registered for use on turf, including golf courses.  It will remain labeled for seed treatments and bulbs, though this small market may be insufficient to warrant continued production.  I spoke with an agent of the manufacturer yesterday.  We are currently in the middle of a 60 day comment period after which the EPA will make their final decision.  The agent indicated a "couple hundred" letters to the EPA could sway the decision to allow some use on golf course turf. 

Attached are three items indicating the company's support for the re-registration along with some financial comparisons of PCNB tankmixes to the alternatives deemed "suitable replacements" by the EPA.  Arguments to support the reregistration of PCNB should be directed at 1) the cost effectiveness, and 2) the degree of control from PCNB, particularly for gray snow mold as pink snow mold is much more easily controlled. 

To submit comments, go to http://www.regulations.gov.  In the search screen, enter the ID no. EPA-HQ-OPP-2004-0202 into the 'Keyword or ID' field and click on 'Submit'. You will then be taken to the next screen where you will choose 'Add Comment', found in the far right column.

To send a regular letter, send to: Office of Pesticide Programs, Regulatory Public Docket (7502P), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20460-0001.  Be sure to reference the Docket ID no. EPA-HQ-OPP-2004-0202 on all written correspondence.  It would be best to put the Docket ID number at the top of the page.

ALL COMMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY OCTOBER 2.

Paul Koch and John Stier at Wisconsin will be providing data for gray snow mold control comparisons with PCNB.  If you have other colleagues in the gray snow mold belt you might consider passing this along to them.  I have an electronic copy of the 127 page review of PCNB if anyone is interested in reading that. 

This decision is a direct result of the 1996 Food Quality Protection Act.  MSMA (post-emergent crabgrass herbicide) lost its registration for turf earlier this summer.  More will follow, perhaps some of the fungicides which the EPA has currently determined to be "alternatives" to PCNB.   Keeping registrations for products will be most effective if users comment in advance of the EPA releasing a preliminary decision--consequently it will be an uphill battle with PCNB.

Brian Horgan
University of Minnesota
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Send mail to scott@mgcsa.org for more MGCSA information.
Last modified: 08/14/08