Environmental
Report
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Hanford
Environmental Report |
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Volume 27, Number 2 - February 11, 2005
On January 12, 2005, EPA published a notice (70 FR 2101) in the Federal Register (FR) soliciting public comment on its proposed approval of the Hanford Central Characterization Project (CCP) to characterize retrievably-stored, contact-handled, transuranic (TRU) debris waste for disposal at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). EPA is proposing to designate any changes or expansions to this waste characterization approval as Tier 1 which means that DOE must first obtain written approval from EPA prior to disposing of waste characterized using new or revised processes, equipment, or waste streams.
In accordance with requirements of 40 CFR 194.8(b), EPA conducted an inspection of the Hanford CCP on September 8-12, 2003 for the purpose of determining the technical adequacy of the CCP in characterizing TRU waste from the Plutonium Finishing Plant for disposal at the WIPP. During the inspection, EPA evaluated several waste characterization activities used to characterize retrievably-stored, contact-handled debris waste. EPA also evaluated the equipment, procedures and personnel-training/experience for acceptable knowledge, nondestructive assay, nondestructive examination, and data transfer for the WIPP Information System. Information on the proposed approval can be found on the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/radiation/wipp. Comments on the proposed approval must be received by EPA on or before February 28, 2005. For more information, e-mail or call Richard_Dunn@rl.gov, Director of TRU Program at (509) 373-9574 with DFSH.
ECOLOGY PUBLISHES AMENDMENTS TO THE SOLID WASTE HANDLING STANDARDS
On January 5, 2005, Ecology published a proposed rule (WSR 05-01-235) in the Washington State Register (WSR) to amend Chapter 173-350 WAC, the Solid Waste Handling Standards that apply to facilities and activities that manage solid wastes not defined as municipal solid waste. The purpose of the proposed rule amendment is to clarify the definitions of clean soils and clean dredged materials, contaminated soils and contaminated dredged material. Ecology intends this rule-change to be a temporary fix by reestablishing the old soil standards and then doing a rule revision in early 2005 to address concerns that arose when the new rule was implemented.
Ecology will hold a public hearing on the proposed amendments on February 8, 2005 at 1 p.m. in Ecology's Headquarters office in Lacey. Ecology intends to adopt the changes on February 16, 2005. Comments on the proposed rule must be received by Ecology on or before February 15, 2005. For more information, e-mail or call Brian_J_Dixon@rl.gov at (509) 376-7053 with Fluor Hanford's Program Services.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PUBLISHES PROPOSED RULE TO AMEND THE REGULATIONS FOR ON-SITE SEWAGE SYSTEMS
On January 19, 2005, the Department of Health (DOH) published a proposed rule (WSR 05-02-082) in the WSR to amend Chapter 246-272A WAC, the On-Site Sewage Systems rule. The proposed rule repeals Chapter 246-272 WAC, On-Site Sewage Systems which is now revised and rewritten as Chapter 246-272A WAC, On-Site Sewage Systems. This chapter contains design, installation and operation requirements for on-site sewage systems handling 3,500 gallons per day and under; specific criteria for proprietary product registration; and direction to local health jurisdictions to develop an on-site sewage system management plan.
In this proposed rule, DOH is updating the design, installation and operations requirements for on-site sewage systems. The update is based on new understanding of technology that has emerged since the rule was last revised in 1995. The proposed rule also moves the specific criteria for registering the various types of products and technologies from guidance to rule. DOH will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule on March 9, 2005 at the DOH, Point Plaza East Building in Tumwater at 1:30 p.m. Comments on the proposed rule must be received by Ecology on or before February 18, 2005. For more information, e-mail or call Digambar_G_Raja_Ranade@rl.gov at (509) 376-9676 with Fluor Hanford's Program Services.
On January 5, 2005, EPA published a final rule (70 FR 943) in the FR that establishes the initial air quality designations and classifications for all areas in the U.S. for the fine particles (PM2.5) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The final rule establishes the boundaries for areas designated as nonattainment, unclassifiable, or attainment/unclassifiable. EPA intends to publish a separate rule which will set forth the planning and control requirements that apply to nonattainment areas for the PM2.5 standards. The final rule becomes effective April 5, 2005.
On January 10, 2005, EPA published a proposed rule (70 FR 1674) in the FR to amend the toxic release inventory reporting forms regulation under section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). The purpose of the revision is to reduce the reporting burden of the Toxic Chemical Release Inventory (TCRI) reporting requirements. This is one of several actions EPA is taking to reduce the reporting burdens associated with the TCRI program. The proposed rule amendment includes provisions that: remove some data elements from the Form R and Form A Certification Statement that can be obtained from other EPA information collection databases or are rarely used; and update the regulations to provide corrected contact information and descriptions of the Forms R and A data elements. Comments on the proposed rule must be received by EPA on or before March 11, 2005.
On January 11, 2005, EPA published a final rule (70 FR 1971) in the FR amending the mandatory leak repair of appliances rule under section 608 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) to clarify how the requirements extend to appliances using substitutes for chlorofluorocarbon and hydrochlorofluorocarbon refrigerants. The final rule affects the owners and operators of comfort cooling, commercial refrigeration, and industrial process refrigeration appliances. Certain aspects of this action will also affect Federal owners and operators of commercial and comfort-cooling appliances normally containing more than 50 pounds of refrigerant. The rule supplements a statutory and self-effectuating prohibition on venting substitutes to the atmosphere that became effective on November 15, 1995. This final rule also extends the leak repair provisions of section 608 to appliances using substitutes consisting in whole or in part of a class I or class II ozone-depleting substances. The final rule becomes effective March 14, 2005.
On January 24, 2005, the Department of Transportation (DOT) published a final rule (70 FR 3302) in the FR amending the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) by incorporating the provision of certain widely used exemptions which have established a history of safety and which may be converted into regulations for general use. DOT is also making minor revisions to the requirements for use of packagings authorized under exemptions. The final rule becomes effective March 25, 2005.
On January 5, 2005, Ecology's Toxic Cleanup Program (TCP) published a notice (WSR 05-01-047) in the WSR to update/delete several current policies, procedures or implementation memos. Ecology is making revisions to Policy 500B and Procedure 500B regarding identification of potentially liable persons.
On January 5, 2005, Ecology published a notice (WSR 05-01-086) in the WSR announcing the new site use permit fees for the period March 1, 2005 to February 28, 2006 under Chapter 173-326 WAC, Commercial Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal - Site use permits provisions. The annual base fee, 1x, has been set at $424 for < 50 cubic feet.
On January 5, 2005, Ecology published a proposed rule (WSR 05-01-140) in the WSR to establish a state water management program for the Columbia River. It includes proposing Chapter 173-565 WAC, the Columbia River Mainstem Water Management Program, and amending Chapter 173-531A WAC, the Water Resources Program for the John Day -McNary Pools Reach of the Columbia River, and Chapter 173-563 WAC, the Instream Resources Protection Program for the Mainstem Columbia River in Washington State. Ecology will hold public hearings on the proposed rule in various locations throughout the state including in Pasco on February 8 at 7p.m. at the TRAC Sports Hall of Fame Room and in Moses Lake on February 9 at 7 p.m. at the Fire Department Multi-purpose room, and in Lacey on February 15 at 7 p.m. at the Department of Ecology Auditorium and in Spokane on February 17 at 7 p.m. at the Spokane Community College, Colville Center East Entrance, Dominion Room. Comments on the proposed rule must be received by Ecology on or before March 4, 2005.
On January 5, 2005, Ecology published a notice (WSR 05-01-236) in the WSR that reissues the sand and gravel general permit, a national pollutant discharge elimination system and state waste discharge general permit for sand and gravel mining operations and related facilities located in Washington State. The permit will become effective on February 4, 2005. The permit implements the Federal Clean Water Act and State Water Pollution Control Act. The purpose of the permit is to control the discharge of pollutants from sand and gravel mining operations and related facilities into waters of the state. Ecology has prepared a Response to Comments document which can be found on the Internet at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/sand/index.html.
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