Hanford Environmental Report

Privacy & Security Notice

	Hanford Environmental Report
Dedicated to Environmental Compliance

Volume 24, Number 4 - April 12, 2002

From Washington, D.C.:

EPA PLANS TO SUBMIT INFORMATION COLLECTION REQUESTS TO THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET

EPA recently announced it was planning to submit several Information Collection Requests (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. These include an ICR on:

National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)(67 FR 10913 - March 11, 2002) for Radionuclides. EPA has prepared a final rule amending subparts H and I which require emission sampling, monitoring of radionuclide emissions in accordance with the new American National Standard Institute's (ANSI) Sampling and Monitoring Releases of Airborne Radioactive Substances from the Stacks and Ducts of Nuclear Facilities, ANSI N13.1-1999. Data and information collected under this rule is used by EPA to ensure that public health continues to be protected from airborne radionuclides under the NESHAPs. The ICR expires June 30, 2002. Comments on the ICR must be received by EPA on or before May 10, 2002.
Hazardous Remediation Waste Management Requirements (67 FR 12988 - March 20, 2002). Information collection activities required by this rule are authorized by the Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1970 as amended by RCRA of 1976 and the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984. Information collected under this rule is necessary to balance streamlined regulations of remediation wastes with EPA's responsibility to protect human health and the environment. The ICR expires June 30, 2002. Comments on the ICR must be received by EPA on or before May 20, 2002.
Requirements for Generators, Transporters, and Hazardous Waste Management Facilities Under RCRA Hazardous Waste Manifest System (67 FR 13325 - March 22, 2002). The hazardous waste manifest is used to track waste from the generation site to its final disposition. It also provides information to transporters and waste management facilities on the hazardous nature of the waste and identifies waste so that it can be managed properly in the event of a leak, spill, or accident. Information collection activities required under this rule mitigate potential hazards to human health and the environment. This ICR expires March 31, 2002. Comments on the ICR must be received by EPA on or before April 22, 2002.

For more information, email or call Marsha_A_Beery@rl.gov at (360) 709-0664 with Fluor Hanford's Olympia Office.

From Olympia:

ECOLOGY PUBLISHES PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY TO AMEND THE AIR OPERATING PERMIT RULE

On March 6, 2002, Ecology published a preproposal statement of inquiry (WSR 02-05-011) in the Washington State Register to begin rulemaking to amend the air operating permit rule. The amendments include:

Changing the provisions on insignificant emissions units at AOP sources to comply with the agreement EPA and Ecology recently reached regarding EPA's notice of deficiency;
Updating the definition of "major source" to reflect certain changes to the federal rule;
Adding definitions regarding compliance;
Updating the audit requirements; and
Making minor housekeeping changes.

The amendments are being made to conform to federal AOP rule changes and to make clear how compliance is reported and program audit procedures are conducted. For more information, email or call Kirk_A_FDH_Peterson@rl.gov at (509) 372-2364.

ECOLOGY PUBLISHES PROPOSED RULE TO INCREASE WASTEWATER DISCHARGE PERMIT FEES

On March 20, 2002, Ecology published a proposed rule (WSR 02-06-091) in the Washington State Register amending the wastewater discharge permit fee rule to increase fees for fiscal year (FY) 2003 and 2004. The fees are required by the Waste Pollution Control regulation to fund the permit program. The proposed rule includes amendments that:

Increase annual fees for all permit holders by 2.79% for FY 2003 and 3.29% for FY 2004;
Establish a new definition for animal unit which results in a change to dairy fee calculations;
Create a first time fee for aquatic pest control permits; and
Provide a detailed description on how Ecology will process delinquent fee accounts.

The fees are being increased to the fiscal growth factor limit established by the Office of Financial Management. Ecology will be holding a workshop on the proposed rule on April 11, 2002, at 1:30 p.m. at the Ecology Headquarters Office and on April 15, 2002, at 1:30 p.m. at the Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake. Comments on the proposed rule must be received by Ecology on or before April 25, 2002. For more information, email or call John_A_Winterhalder@rl.gov at (509) 372-8144 with Fluor Hanford's Regulatory and Environmental Compliance.

Briefly:

On March 14, 2002, the Department of Transportation (DOT) published an update (67 FR 11456) in the Federal Register which delays final action on a notice of proposed rulemaking that was published in the Federal Register on December 7, 2000. The rulemaking proposed to: (1) temporarily lower the registration fees paid by persons who transport or offer for transport in commerce certain categories and quantities of hazardous materials; (2) charge not-for-profit organizations the same registration fee as a small business; (3) use the North American Industry Classification System for size criteria for determining if an entity is a small business; and (4) allow payment by additional credit cards than previously authorized. DOT is delaying the action pending enactment of the FY 2003 DOT appropriations. Because of the delay for registration year 2002-2003, which begins July 1, 2002, the registration fees will remain $300 for small businesses and $2000 for all other registrants.
On March 14, 2002, EPA published a final rule (67 FR 11417) in the Federal Register updating delegation of authority for NESHAP to Ecology, the Benton Clean Air Authority (BCAA), Northwest Air Pollution Authority (NWAPA), Puget Sound Clean Air Authority (PSCAA), and Spokane County Air Pollution Control Authority (SCAPCA). EPA is also delegating authority of the Consolidated Air Rule to Ecology, BCAA, and SCAPCA. For both Ecology and BCAA, EPA has delegated 40 CFR part 61 and Appendices in affect on February 20, 2002, except subparts B, H, I, K, Q, R, T, W, and M as it applies to non-major sources; 40 CFR part 63 and appendices in effect on February 20, 2002 except subparts C, E, and M as it applies to non-major sources; 40 CFR part 63 subpart MM in effect on March 13, 2001, and 40 CFR part 65 in effect December 14, 2000. The final rule becomes effective April 15, 2002.
On March 20, 2002, EPA published a notice (67 FR 12949) in the Federal Register announcing that documents applicable to characterization of transuranic radioactive waste at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) proposed for disposal at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) are available for public review and comment. The documents can be viewed on the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/radiation/wipp. Comments on the documents must be received by EPA on or before April 19, 2002.
On March 28, 2002, EPA published a notice (67 FR 14936) in the Federal Register announcing the availability of applicability determinations, alternative monitoring decisions, and regulatory interpretations EPA has made under the New Source Performance Standards and the NESHAP that have been posted to the Applicability Determination Index (ADI) since January 22, 2002. The ADI is an electronic index that lists EPA letters and memoranda that pertain to applicability, monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements. The ADI is updated on a quarterly basis. Documents can be found in the ADI at http://cfpub.epa.gov/adi.
Ecology's Washington Administrative Codes (WACs) can now be viewed and downloaded from the Internet. These WACs can be accessed through the Index of Rules at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/laws-rules/ecywac.html.
Ecology is currently updating their policy on "Assessment of Water Quality for the Section 303(d) List." The policy describes a series of categories to be used in the 303(d) assessment process. It also provides guidance for data submittal, data quality assurance and requirements, and criteria for assignment of specific water bodies to each category. The updated policy constitutes the listing methodology for the Section 303(d) list as required by EPA. The draft policy can be viewed on the Internet at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/partnership/03_07_02/listpolicydraftfinal5.pdf.

*FEDERAL/STATE*
	*REGISTER REVIEW*

67 FR 9970: On March 5, 2002, EPA published a notice providing the OMB responses to ICRs.

67 FR 9926: On March 5, 2002, the DOT published a final rule amending the Hazardous Materials Regulation by revising the "List of Hazardous Substances and Reportable Quantities" that appears in the table "Hazardous Substances other than Radionuclides." The final rule becomes effective October 1, 2002.

67 FR 10297: On March 6, 2002, EPA published a notice announcing that the 49th Report of the Interagency Testing Committee was available for review and comment. Comments on the report must be received by EPA on or before April 5, 2002.

67 FR 10401: On March 7, 2002, EPA published a notice announcing that it is planning to submit an ICR on Ambient Air Quality Surveillance to OMB for review and approval. Comments on the ICR must be received by EPA on or before May 6, 2002.

67 FR 10404: On March 7, 2002, EPA published a notice announcing that an ICR on Operator Certification Guidelines and Operator Certification Expense Reimbursement Grants has been forwarded to OMB for review and approval. Comments on the ICR must be received by EPA on or before April 8, 2002.

67 FR 10531: On March 7, 2002, EPA published a proposed rule on analytical methods and associated MRL for the analysis of Aeromonas. Comments on the proposed rule must be received by EPA on or before May 6, 2002.

67 FR 10913: On March 11, 2002, EPA published a notice announcing that it was planning to submit an ICR on National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Radionuclides to OMB for review and approval (see article, this edition). Comments on the ICR must be received by EPA on or before May 10, 2002.

67 FR 10915: On March 11, 2002, EPA published a notice providing OMB responses to ICRs.

67 FR 11043: On March 12, 2002, EPA published a direct final rule establishing August 12, 2002, as a new date by which large water systems must report Unregulated Contaminant (UC) monitoring results. The direct final rule becomes effective May 13, 2002, unless EPA received adverse comments by April 11, 2002. Elsewhere in the same federal register, EPA has published a proposed rule (11071) in the event adverse comments are received. Comments on the proposed rule must be received by EPA on or before April 11, 2002.

67 FR 11251: On March 13, 2002, EPA published a final rule responding to a court order vacating regulatory provisions under RCRA by deleting regulatory language that classified mineral processing characteristic sludges and by-products being reclaimed as solid waste under RCA and codifying the decision that the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure may be used for determining whether manufacturers gas plant waste is hazardous under RCRA. The final rule became effective March 13, 2002.

67 FR 11417: On March 14, 2002, EPA published a final rule updating delegation of authority for NESHAPs to Ecology, BCAA and other air authorities in Washington. EPA is also delegating the Consolidated Air Rule to Ecology, BCAA, and SPAPCA (see briefly, this edition). The final rule becomes effective April 15, 2002.

67 FR 11456: On March 14, 2002, DOT published an update to the notice of proposed rulemaking published previously in the Federal Register on December 7, 2000 (see briefly, this edition).

67 FR 11483: On March 14, 2002, EPA published a notice announcing that a comment session will be held online to give the public an opportunity to comment on areas to be considered in EPA's development of the Information Quality Guidelines. The online comment period will occur March 19 - 22, 2002.

67 FR 11579: On March 15, 2002, EPA published a correction to the National Primary and Secondary Ambient Air Quality Standards.

67 FR 11639: On March 15, 2002, EPA published a proposed rule granting DOE Savannah River site a petition to exclude certain hazardous wastes from RCRA. Comments on the proposed rule must be received by EPA on or before April 29, 2002.

67 FR 11692: On March 15, 2002, EPA published a notice announcing the availability of EPA's Progress Toward Implementing Superfund report. The report can be viewed on the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/superfund/accomp/sarc/index.htm.

67 FR 11924: On March 18, 2002, EPA published a notice announcing that a public meeting to solicit comments on various options for implementing the 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standards. The public meeting will be held April 3, 2002, in Tempe, Arizona from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

67 FR 12010: On March 18, 2002, EPA published a notice announcing that the new Central Data Exchange-Customer Registration System is available. The system contains information on individuals who have registered and established accounts to access CDX, which is EPA's electronic compliance filing and environmental data exchange system. Comments on the CDX must be received by EPA on or before April 17, 2002. The new system of records will start April 26, 2002, unless EPA receives adverse comments.

67 FR 12874: On March 20, 2002, EPA published a direct final rule to correct typographical errors in chemical formulas in the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program. Corrections to the SNAP became effective April 1, 2002.

67 FR 12879: On March 20, 2002, EPA published a final rule amending three Significant New Use Rules (SNURs) to allow certain uses without requiring a Significant New Use Notice (SNUN). The final rule becomes effective May 20, 2002.

67 FR 12882: On March 20, 2002, EPA published a final rule amending two SNURs to allow certain uses without requiring a SNUN. The final rule becomes effective May 20, 2002.

67 FR 12949: On March 20, 2002, EPA published a notice announcing that DOE documents characterizing transuranic radioactive waste at the INEEL proposed for disposal at the WIPP are available for public review and comment (see briefly, this edition). Comments on the documents must be received by EPA on or before April 19, 2002.

67 FR 12950: On March 20, 2002, EPA published a proposed rule to revoke the SNURs for eight substances. Comments on the proposed rule must be received by EPA on or before April 19, 2002.

67 FR 12988: On March 20, 2002, EPA published a notice announcing it was planning to submit an ICR on Hazardous Remediation Waste Management Requirements to OMB for review and approval (see article, this edition). Comments on the ICR must be received by EPA on or before May 20, 2002.

67 FR 13139: On March 21, 2002, EPA published a notice announcing that it was planning to submit an ICR on EPA Worker Protection Standard for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response to OMB for review and approval. Comments on the ICR must be received by EPA on or before May 15, 2002.

67 FR 13272: On March 22, 2002, EPA published a notice of acceptability expanding the list of acceptable substitutes for ozone-depleting substances under the SNAP program. The list became effective March 22, 2002.

67 FR 13324: On March 22, 2002, EPA published a notice announcing that it had forwarded an ICR on Institutional Controls Tracking System and Costs Survey to OMB for review and approval. Comments on the ICR must be received by EPA on or before April 22, 2002.

67 FR 13325: On March 22, 2002, EPA published a notice announcing that an ICR on Requirements for Generators, Transporters, and Hazardous Waste Management Facilities Under the RCRA Hazardous Waste Manifest System has been forwarded to OMB for review and comment (see article, this edition). Comments on the ICR must be received by EPA on or before April 22, 2002.

67 FR 13495: On March 22, 2002, EPA published proposed amendments to the NESHAP on publicly owned treatment works (POTW) pursuant to a settlement with the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America regarding a petition they filed for judicial review of the POTW NESHAP. Comments on the proposed rule must be received by EPA on or before April 22, 2002.

67 FR 14936: On March 28, 2002, EPA published a notice announcing the availability of applicability determinations, alternative monitoring decisions, and regulatory interpretations EPA has made under NSPS and NESHAP since January 22, 2002 (see briefly, this edition). The information can be obtained from the Internet at http://cfpub.epa.gov/adi.

67 FR 14951: On March 28, 2002, EPA published a notice announcing that it is planning to conduct a demonstration program on treatment of arsenic in drinking water and inviting the public to identify small water utilities that may be interested in hosting a demonstration at their facility. EPA intends to identify and evaluate the ability of commercially available technologies and engineering or other approaches to cost effectively meet the new standard in small water systems. Information on the small water utility must be received by EPA on or before June 28, 2002.

67 FR 15014: On March 28, 2002, OMB published a notice requesting comments on the draft report to Congress on the Costs and Benefits of Federal Regulation. Comments on the draft report must be received by EPA on or before May 28, 2002.

WSR 02-05-011: On March 6, 2002, Ecology published a preproposal statement of inquiry to amend Chapter 173-401, Air Operating Permit Program rule (see article, this edition). The changes are being made to conform to federal regulations.

WSR 02-05-055: On March 6, 2002, Ecology published a final rule amending the state waste discharge permit program, the NPDES permit program, and the waste discharge general permit program. The final rule became effective March 15, 2002.

WSR 02-06-091: On March 20, 2002, Ecology published a proposed rule amending the Wastewater Discharge Permit fees (see article, this edition). Comments on the proposed rule must be received by Ecology on or before April 25, 2002.

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For technical questions regarding the subject matter, please send email to: Wayne_E_Toebe@rl.gov