Hanford Environmental Report

Privacy & Security Notice

	Hanford Environmental Report
Dedicated to Environmental Compliance

Volume 24, Number 8 - August 9, 2002

From Washington, D.C.:

EPA PUBLISHES PROPOSED NATIONAL EMISSION STANDARDS FOR HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS RULE FOR THE SITE REMEDIATION SOURCE CATEGORY

On July 30, 2002, EPA published a proposed rule (67 FR 49398) in the Federal Register establishing National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for the site remediation source category under Section 112(d) of the Clean Air Act (CAA). Section 112(d) requires EPA to regulate major sources of emissions of 188 listed hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and select a HAP emission standard based on the application of maximum achievable control technology. EPA is taking this action since it has determined that site remediation activities can be a major source of organic HAPs and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The primary HAPs addressed by the proposed rule are benzene, toluene, vinyl chloride, and xylenes. The emission standards would be applied to both on-site remediation and off-site treatment of hazardous wastes. The proposed rule is applicable to new and existing sources of major HAPs at site remediation facilities. The sources of HAPs at these facilities include:

Soil vapor extraction processes for contaminated soil;
Air sparging for contaminated groundwater;
Bioremediation and degradation;
Ground water pump and treat;
Solidification/stabilization;
Incineration;
Thermal desorption;
Material extraction activities
Air stripping; and
Aeration tanks.

The proposed rule would require control devices for process vents at on-site remediation activities. For off-site remediation activities, the proposed rule would require emission control devices on tanks, containers, and surface impoundments where contaminated wastes are being held. Also, a leak detection and repair program would be required for remediation equipment such a pumps, valves, and compressors. EPA estimates that the proposed rule, once finalized, would reduce annual HAP emissions by 50% and VOCs by 3680 Mg/yr. Comments on the proposed rule must be received by EPA on or before September 30, 2002. For more information, email or call Wayne_E_Toebe@rl.gov at (509) 372-2359 with Fluor Hanford's Compliance Services group.

EPA PUBLISHES NOTICES ON INFORMATION COLLECTION REQUESTS

EPA recently published notices in the Federal Register on Information Collection Requests (ICRs) it was submitting to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval as follows:

On July 1, 2002, EPA published a notice (67 FR 44196) in the Federal Register announcing that it was planning to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR) on Notification of Regulated Waste Activity to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. Subtitle C of RCRA requires that any person who generates or transports regulated waste or who owns or operates a treatment, storage, or disposal facility must notify EPA of their activities using the Notification Form (NF). The NF is due to expire on October 31, 2002, so EPA is soliciting public comment to extend the collection of information on the NF. Comments on the Notification Form must be received by EPA on or before August 30, 2002.

On July 5, 2002, EPA published a notice (67 FR 44831) in the Federal Register announcing that an ICR on Hazardous Remediation Waste Management Requirements (HWIR-Media) was being forwarded to OMB for review and approval. Information collected under the provisions of this rule which include name, location, a chemical and physical analysis of the waste or contaminated media, and a plan for the management of such materials is authorized by Sections 3004 and 3005 of RCRA. EPA is asking for an extension of the collection of information which expired June 30, 2003. Comments on the ICR must be received by EPA on or before August 5, 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 PROPOSED NEW SOLID WASTE HANDLING RULE

On July 17, 2002, Ecology published a proposed rule in the Washington State Register (WSR 02-14-061) to adopt Chapter 173-350, the Solid Waste Handling Standards. The proposed rule is a rewritten version of Chapters 173-304, the Minimum Functional Standards for Solid Waste which incorporates that chapter and Chapter 173-314 Washington Administrative Code (WAC), waste tire carrier and storage site licenses rule. The purpose of the rule is to establish comprehensive standards for solid waste handling practices and facilities and to provide permit exemptions that encourage the use, reuse, and recycling of solid waste. The proposed rule includes:

Improvements to the organization, readability, and usability of the rule by eliminating the extensive cross-referencing used in the existing rule, Chapter 173-304 WAC;
Incorporation of guidelines applicable to composting and moderate risk waste facilities;
Updating facility standards and definitions, including consistency with other rules such as the biosolids management rule and criteria for municipal solid waste landfills rule;
Incorporation of the content contained in the waste tire carrier and storage site licenses rule which will be repealed once this rule is adopted; and
Incorporation of recent legislative changes, including a five-year life for permits, provisions for beneficial use permit exemptions, and deferral to other environmental permits.

The proposed rule is a phased replacement of the existing Chapter 173-304 WAC. Once the rule becomes effective, it will immediately apply to all new facilities. Existing facilities will be required to meet the new regulation in phases. The proposed rule will have a significant impact on demolition waste landfills since it puts these into a new category known as "limited purpose" landfills which will be subject to new compliance requirements. Ecology will be holding public hearings on the proposed rule simultaneously in cities throughout the state including Spokane, Lacey, Seattle, and Yakima on August 6, 2002, at 1:00 pm. Comments on the proposed rule must be received in Ecology by September 4, 2002. FH is currently evaluating how this proposed rule will impact Hanford. For more information, email or call Wayne_E_Toebe@rl.gov at (509) 372-2359 with Fluor Hanford's Compliance Services group.

Briefly:

On July 2, 2002, EPA published a notice (67 FR 44452) presenting the data bases EPA intends to use to propose NESHAPs for hazardous waste burning combustors which includes hazardous waste burning incinerators, cement kilns, lightweight aggregate kilns, industrial and institutional/commercial boilers, process heaters, and hydrochloric acid production furnaces under Section 112(d) of the CAA. EPA is undertaking this action to comply with its Information Quality Guidelines that provide the public with an opportunity and vehicle for correcting any errors that might be present in data and information the agency is using in its decision-making. Comments on the databases must be received by EPA on or before August 16, 2002.
On July 9, 2002, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) published a notice (67 FR 45510) in the Federal Register announcing that it has formed a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Task Force to seek ways to improve and modernize NEPA analysis and documentation and to foster improved coordination among government agencies and the public. The CEQ is soliciting public comment on the nature and scope of the NEPA Task Force and is asking for examples of effective NEPA implementation practices to develop a publication of case studies. Comments on the NEPA Task Force must be received in CEQ by August 23, 2002.
On July 9, 2002, EPA published a direct final rule (67 FR 45314) in the Federal Register that corrects errors and removes obsolete or redundant language in the regulations on notification of hazardous substances releases under CERCLA. EPA and other Federal agencies are required to review their rules periodically to identify any provisions that are obsolete or unduly burdensome. In this action, EPA is correcting typographical errors in the table of hazardous substances. EPA is also revising regulatory text to make it more concise, conform more closely with statutory language, and eliminate text that is redundant or legally obsolete. The direct final rule becomes effective on September 9, 2002, unless EPA receives written adverse comments by August 8, 2002. Elsewhere in this same Federal Register, EPA has published a proposed rule (67 FR 45440) in the event adverse comments are received on the direct final rule. Comments on the proposed rule must be received by EPA on or before September 9, 2002.
On July 22, 2002, EPA published a notice (67 FR 47798) in the Federal Register announcing that the draft document entitled, "Contaminated Sediments Science Plan (CSSP)" is available for public review and comment. EPA plans to use the CSSP as a mechanism to develop and coordinate Agency-wide science activities in the contaminated sediments area. The CSSP provides an analysis of the current EPA science activities in this area, identifies and evaluates the science gaps, and provides a strategy for filling those gaps. The draft CSSP can be found on the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/superfund/action/guidance/cssp.pdf. Comments on the CSSP must be received by EPA on or before September 20, 2002.
On July 26, 2002, EPA released a document entitled, "EPA Interim Policy on Genomics Developed by the Science Policy Council." The purpose of the policy is to provide interim guidance on the current interpretation and utility of genomics data for use in risk assessments and risk management activities. EPA believes that genomics will have an enormous impact on a person's ability to assess the risk of exposure to stressors and to ultimately improve risk assessments. For more information, contact Marsha Beery with Fluor Hanford's Olympia Office.

*FEDERAL/STATE*
	*REGISTER REVIEW*

67 FR 44069 - RCRA: On July 1, 2002, EPA published a final rule granting Idaho final authorization for amendments to its hazardous waste program under RCRA. The final rule became effective on July 1, 2002.

67 FR 44196 - RCRA: On July 1, 2002, EPA published a notice announcing that it was planning to submit an ICR on Notification of Regulated Waste Activity to OMB for review and approval (see article, this edition). Comments on the ICR must be received by EPA on or before August 30, 2002.

67 FR 44197 - EPCRA/TRI: On July 1, 2002, EPA published a notice announcing that it was planning to submit an ICR on Alternate Threshold for low Annual Reportable Amounts, Toxic Chemical Release Reporting to OMB for review and approval. Comments on the ICR must be received by EPA on or before August 30, 2002.

67 FR 44200 - CERCLA: On July 1, 2002, EPA published a notice of the fifteenth update of the Federal Agency Hazardous Waste Compliance Docket under CERCLA (see briefly, this edition). The list is current as of January 31, 2002.

67 FR 44213 - EPCRA/TRI: On July 1, 2002, EPA published a notice announcing that it was planning to submit an ICR on Toxic Chemical Release Reporting to the OMB for review and approval. Comments on the ICR must be received by EPA on or before August 30, 2002.

67 FR 44452 - Clean Air Act: On July 2, 2002, EPA published a notice announcing the data bases EPA plans to use to propose NESHAP for hazardous waste burning combustors (see briefly, this edition). Comments on the data bases must be received by EPA on or before August 16, 2002.

67 FR 44831 - RCRA: On July 5, 2002, EPA published a notice announcing that it has forwarded 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 August 5, 2002.

67 FR 44833 - Clean Air Act: On July 5, 2002, EPA published a notice soliciting proposals to develop, maintain, promote and sustain a New and Emerging Air Technologies data base on the Web. The purpose of the Website is to aid industry, contractors, and State/local air permitting agencies in identifying new and emerging air technologies. The opening date for solicitation is July 5, 2002. Letters of intent to apply must be received by EPA on or before August 5, 2002. The closing date of solicitation is November 1, 2002.

67 FR 45112 - Clean Water Act: On July 8, 2002, EPA published a notice announcing that it was planning to submit an ICR on Performance Evaluation Studies of Water and Wastewater Laboratories to OMB for review and approval. Comments on the ICR must be received by EPA on or before September 6, 2002.

67 FR 45314 - CERCLA: On July 9, 2002, EPA published a direct final rule to correct errors and remove obsolete or redundant language in rule on notification requirements for release of hazardous substances under CERCLA (see briefly, this edition). The direct final rule becomes effective on September 9, 2002, unless EPA receives adverse comments by August 8, 2002, at which time the direct final rule will be withdrawn. Elsewhere in this same Federal Register, EPA has published a proposed rule (67 FR 45440) in the event adverse comments are received in the direct final rule.

67 FR 45510 - NEPA: On July 9, 2002, EPA published a notice announcing that the Council on Environmental Quality has recently formed a National Environmental Policy Act Task Force to seek ways to improve and modernize the NEPA analyses and documentation (see briefly, this edition). Comments on the NEPA Task Force must be received by EPA on or before August 23, 2002.

67 FR 45728 - Clean Water Act: On July 10, 2002, EPA published a notice extending the due date for comments on the Policy of Water Quality Trading. The purpose of the proposed policy is to gain EPA support for soundly designed waste quality trading programs developed by the State and Tribes. Comments on the policy must be received by EPA on or before July 15, 2002.

67 FR 46502 - TSCA: On July 15, 2002, EPA published a correction to the notice announcing that it was planning to submit an ICR on Toxic Chemical Release Reporting to OMB for review and approval. The ICR (67 FR 44197) was published in the Federal Register on July 1, 2002. EPA is making a correction to the location for the office where comments may be submitted. The Agency is also extending the comment period to September 6, 2002.

67 FR 46503 - TSCA: On July 15, 2002, EPA published a correction to the notice announcing that it was planning to submit an ICR on Alternate Threshold for Low Annual Reportable Amounts, Toxic Chemical Release Reporting to OMB for review and approval. The ICR (67 FR 44213) was published in the Federal Register on July 1, 2002. EPA is making a correction to the location for the office where comments may be submitted. The Agency is also extending the comment period to September 6, 2002.

67 FR 46622 - Hazardous Materials Transportation: On July 16, 2002, the Department of Transportation (DOT) published an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) to examine the need for enhanced security requirements for the transportation of hazardous materials. The DOT is seeking comments on the feasibility of specific security enhancements and the potential costs and benefits of using such enhancements. Comments on the ANPR must be received in DOT by October 15, 2002.

67 FR 46661 - Clean Water Act: On July 16, 2002, EPA published a notice announcing that it was planning to submit an ICR on Clean Water Act Section 404 State-Assumed Programs to OMB for review and approval. Comments on the ICR must be received by EPA on or before September 16, 2002.

67 FR 46662- Clean Water Act: On July 16, 2002, EPA published a notice announcing that it was planning to submit an ICR on National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Storm Water Program Phase II to OMB for review and approval. Comments on the proposed ICR must be received by EPA on or before September 16, 2002.

67 FR 47795 - ICRs: On July 22, 2002, EPA published the OMBs responses to the Agencies ICRs.

67 FR 47798 - CERCLA: On July 22, 2002, EPA published a notice announcing that the draft document entitled, "Contaminated Sediments Science Plan" was available for public comment (see briefly, this edition). Comments on the document must be received by EPA on or before September 20, 2002.

67 FR 48370: On July 24, 2002, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a final rule amending its regulation on the use of chlorofluorocarbon propellants in self-pressurized containers to make it consistent with other laws. The FDA is setting the standard it will use to determine which FDA-regulated products that use an ozone-depleting substance are essential under the CAA. The final rule becomes effective January 20, 2003.

67 FR 48660: On July 25, 2002, EPA published a notice announcing the sites for which the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has completed public health assessments during the period April 2002 through June 2002. The public health assessments are available through the National Technical Information Service at (703) 605-6000.

67 FR 49529: On July 30, 2002, EPA published a notice announcing that the Fiftieth Report of the Toxic Substances Control Act Interagency Testing Committee (Report) was transmitted to the Administrator of EPA on May 28, 2002. Comments on the Report must be received by EPA on or before August 29, 2002.

67 FR 49397: On July 30, 2002, EPA published a proposed rule on the NESHAPs under section 112 of the CAA for the site remediation source category (see article, this edition). Comments on the proposed rule must be received by EPA on or before September 30, 2002.

WSR 02-14-061 - Solid Waste: On July 17, 2002, Ecology published new proposed rule, Chapter 173-350 WAC, the Solid Waste Handling Regulation (see article, this edition). Comments on the proposed rule amendment must be received by Ecology on or before September 4, 2002.

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