Hanford Environmental Report

Privacy & Security Notice

	Hanford Environmental Report
Dedicated to Environmental Compliance

Volume 26, Number 7 - July 9, 2004

From Washington, D.C.:

DOE PUBLISHES A REVISION TO THE RECORD OF DECISION ON THE WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

On June 30, 2004, DOE published a revision (69 FR 39446) in the Federal Register (FR) to the Record of Decision (ROD) for the document entitled, "Waste Management Program: Treatment and Storage of Transuranic (TRU) Waste" prepared in accordance with the Waste Management Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (WM PEIS). The original ROD was issued on January 20, 1998 (63 FR 3629) and has been revised several times. Under a revision of the ROD issued on September 6, 2002, DOE indicated that it would transfer small quantities of TRU waste from the Batelle West Jefferson North Site (West Jefferson Site) in Columbus, Ohio, and the Energy Technology Engineering Center (ETEC) in Canoga Park, CA, to the Hanford Site for storage. The waste would then be shipped to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in New Mexico at a later date.

DOE began shipping waste and had completed shipments from ETEC and several shipments from the West Jefferson Site when a preliminary injunction stopped the operation. It was filed in the District Court for Eastern District of Washington by the State of Washington and Columbia Riverkeeper. The shipping was also suspended pending completion of the Hanford Site Solid Waste Program EIS (HSW PEIS). In this current revision of the ROD, DOE confirms its earlier decision to ship TRU waste from the West Jefferson Site to Hanford for storage, processing and certification pending disposal at WIPP once the preliminary injunction is lifted. The Final HSW EIS can be found on the Internet at http://www.hanford.gov/eis/eis-0286D2. For more information, email or call Wayne_E_Toebe@rl.gov at (509) 372-2359 with Fluor Hanford's Program Services.

DOE PUBLISHES ROD ON LOW-LEVEL, MIXED LOW-LEVEL, AND TRU WASTE AT HANFORD

On June 30, 2004, DOE published a ROD (69 FR 39449) in the FR on low-level radioactive waste (LLW), mixed low-level waste (MLLW) which contains both radioactive and chemically hazardous components, and TRU waste at the Hanford Site. The decisions in the ROD were made based on the HSW EIS that was issued January 2004 (DOE/EIS-0286). The HSW EIS discusses wastes that are currently stored or projected to be generated at Hanford and offsite locations through the end of Hanford's routine waste management operations scheduled in 2046. The HSW EIS evaluated storage, treatment, and disposal of LLW and MLLW generated at Hanford and other sites; storage, processing and certification of TRU waste generated at Hanford and other DOE sites for shipment to WIPP; and disposal of Hanford's vitrified immobilized low-activity waste and melters from the vitrification process.

In this action, DOE has decided to implement the preferred alternative (Alternative Group D1) described in the Final HSW EIS and modified as described in the notice including:

Limit the volumes of LLW and MLLW received at Hanford from other sites for disposal to 62,000 m3 of LLW and 20, 000 m3 of MLLW;
Dispose of LLW in lined disposal facilities; and
Construct and operate a lined, combined-use disposal facility in Hanford's 200 East Area for disposal of LLW and MLLW; and limit offsite waste receipt until the facility is constructed.

LLW and MLLW requiring treatment will be treated at either offsite facilities or existing or modified onsite facilities, as appropriate. Storage, processing and certification of TRU waste for subsequent shipment to WIPP will occur at existing and modified onsite facilities. DOE anticipates that the preferred alternative will have small environmental impacts. For more information, email or call Wayne_E_Toebe@rl.gov at (509) 372-2359 with Fluor Hanford's Program Services.

DOE REVISES THE ROD FOR THE WIPP

On June 30, 2004 DOE published a revision (69 FR 39456) in the FR to the ROD for DOE's WIPP Disposal Phase that was previously published in the FR on January 23, 1998 (63 FR 3624). DOE has decided to dispose of up to 2500 cubic meters of TRU waste containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in concentrations of 50 parts per million (PPM) or greater at the WIPP. This waste is located at six DOE sites including Hanford. The decision to dispose of TRU waste containing PCBs does not include the small amount of TRU waste mixed with PCB liquids and PCB articles such as capacitors, transformers, electric motors, pumps and pipes of approximately 5 cubic meters. DOE will work with EPA to determine a separate disposal pathway for these wastes. This WIPP ROD was issued under the WIPP Disposal Phase Supplemental EIS (SEIS-II).

Because estimates of this waste inventory exceed the inventory analyzed in the WIPP SEIS II, DOE has prepared a separate document entitled, "Supplement Analysis for Disposal of PCB-Commingled TRU Waste at WIPP (Supplement Analysis)" in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. Based on the Supplemental Analysis, DOE determined that a revised WIPP SEIS II is not required for the amended WIPP ROD. The revision to the WIPP ROD also represents DOE's designation of TRU waste mixed with PCBs for disposal at the WIPP pursuant to Section 9(a)(1)(H) of the WIPP Land Withdrawal Act. Accordingly, this waste is exempt from treatment standards and land disposal requirements promulgated under Section 3004 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act. The Revised ROD and Supplement Analysis can be found on the Internet at http://www.eh.doe.gov/nepa under DOE NEPA Documents. For more information, email or call Wayne_E_Toebe@rl.gov at (509) 372-2359 with Fluor Hanford's Program Services.

EPA PUBLISHES TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO THE NATIONAL EMISSION STANDARDS FOR HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS FOR RADIONUCLIDES

On June 17, 2004, EPA published technical corrections (69 FR 33865) in the FR to the final rule amending the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) which regulate air emissions of radionuclides other than radon-222 and radon-220 from facilities owned or operated by the DOE and from Federal Facilities other than the Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensees and not covered by subpart H which became effective October 9, 2002. These regulations require that emissions of radionuclides to the ambient air shall not exceed 10 millirem per year (mrem/yr) and for non-DOE Federal facilities, emissions of iodine shall not exceed 3 mrem/yr.

Through this action, EPA is making a technical correction to 40 CFR part 61, Appendix B, Method 114, table 2, under the listing for "Clean transport lines." In the Frequency of Activity Column, EPA is changing the table to read, "Visible deposits for HEPA-filtered applications. Mean mass of deposited material exceeds 1 g/m2 for other applications." The technical corrections become effective on July 17, 2004. For more information, email or call John_A_Bates@rl.gov at (509) 376-2088 with Fluor Hanford's Program Services.

Briefly:

On June 2, 2004, EPA published a direct final rule (69 FR 31008) in the Federal Register (FR) approving the use of three additional analytical methods for compliance determinations of uranium in drinking water. The methods use an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry technology that is widely accepted in the analytical community. The rule becomes effective August 31, 2004 unless EPA receives adverse comment by July 2, 2004.
On June 2, 2004, EPA published correction (69 FR 31008) in the FR to 40 CFR Part 63 section 63.1331 on equipment leak provisions of the final rule on the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Source Categories. The correction became effective immediately.
On June 15, 2004, EPA published a notice (69 FR 33528) in the FR announcing that the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Interagency Testing Committee (ITC) transmitted its Fifty-Fourth Report (Report) to the Administrator of EPA on April 23, 2004. In the Report, the ITC is revising the Priority Testing List by removing 25 vanadium compounds. It is also soliciting public comment on other changes. Comments on the Report must be received by EPA on or before July 15, 2004.
On June 23, 2004, EPA published a notice (69 FR 35028) in the FR announcing that on or about June 21, 2004, the National Center for Environmental Assessment will make available for public review and comment revised drafts of Chapter 7, 8, and 9 of EPA's document on Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter, which incorporates revisions made in response to earlier external review of those chapters. Comments on the draft chapters must be received by EPA on or before July 20, 2004.
On June 30, 2004, the Department of Transportation (DOT) published a final rule (69 FR 39350) establishing a national safety permit program for motor carriers that transport certain hazardous materials in interstate or intrastate commerce. The final rule becomes effective on June 30, 2004.

*FEDERAL/STATE*
	*REGISTER REVIEW*

69 FR 30897: On June 1, 2004, EPA published a notice announcing that it was planning to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR) on Source Compliance and State Action Reporting regarding 40 CFR Part 51, Subpart Q to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. Comments on the ICR must be received by EPA on or before August 2, 2004.

69 FR 31008: On June 2, 2004, EPA published a direct final rule approving the use of three additional analytical methods for compliance determinations of uranium in drinking water (see briefly, this edition). The rule becomes effective August 31, 2004 unless EPA receives adverse comment by July 2, 2004.

69 FR 31993: On June 8, 2004, EPA published a notice announcing that it is seeking public comment and information on an ICR regarding TSCA Section 8 (a) Preliminary Assessment Information Rule prior to submittal to OMB for review and approval. Comments on the ICR must be received by EPA on or before August 9, 2004.

69 FR 32545: On June 10, 2004, EPA published a notice announcing that it was planning to submit an ICR on Identification, Listing and Rulemaking Petitions to OMB for review and approval. The ICR potentially affects rulemaking petitioners under 40 CFR 260.2(b), 260.21, and 260.22; owners/operators of facilities requesting variances from classification as a solid waste or for classification as a boiler under 40 CFR 260.30-260.33; generating facilities seeking a hazardous waste exclusion for certain types of waste under 40 CFR 261.3 and 261.4 and generators and treatment, storage and disposal facilities requesting exemption from listing as F037 and F038 wastes under 40 CFR 261.31(b)(2)(ii). Comments on the ICR must be received by EPA on or before August 9, 2004.

69 FR 33383: On June 15, 2004, EPA published a notice announcing that it was planning to submit an ICR on the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program Final Rulemaking Under Title VI of the Clean Air Act (CAA). Information collected under this rulemaking is necessary to implement the requirements of the SNAP program for evaluating and regulating substitutes for ozone-depleting chemicals being phased out under the stratospheric ozone protection provisions of the CAA. Comments on the ICR must be received by EPA on or before August 16, 2004.

69 FR 33528: On June 15, 2004, EPA published a notice announcing that the TSCA Interagency Testing Committee transmitted its Report to the Administrator of EPA on April 23, 2004 (see briefly, this edition). Comments on the Report must be received by EPA on or before July 15, 2004.

69 FR 33865: On June 17, 2004, EPA published technical corrections to the final rule amending the NESHAP which regulates air emissions of radionuclides other than radon-222 and radon-220 from facilities owned or operated by the DOE and from Federal Facilities other than the Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensees and not covered by subpart H which became effective October 9, 2002 (see briefly, this edition). The technical corrections become effective on July 17, 2004.

69 FR 35028: On June 23, 2004, EPA published a notice announcing that on or about June 21, 2004, the National Center for Environmental Assessment will make available for public review and comment revised drafts of Chapter 7, 8, and 9 of EPA's document on Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter, which incorporates revisions made in response to earlier external review of those chapters. Comments on the draft chapters must be received by EPA on or before July 20, 2004.

69 FR 38154: On June 28, 2004, EPA published its semiannual regulatory agenda.

69 FR 38850: On June 29, 2004, EPA published a final rule making minor changes to clarify and correct EPA's Drinking Water regulations. The final rule clarifies typographical errors, inadvertent omissions, editorial errors, and outdated language in the final Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule, the Surface Water Treatment Rule, and other rules. EPA is also adding optional monitoring for disinfection profiling and an earlier compliance date for some requirements in the LT1ESWTR and a detection limit for the Uranium Methods. The final rule becomes effective July 13, 2004

69 FR 38893: On June 29, 2004, EPA published a notice announcing the OMB responses to several ICRs, EPA published in the Federal Register in May and June 2004.

69 FR 39350: On June 30, 2004, the DOT published a final rule establishing a national safety permit program for motor carriers that transport certain hazardous materials in interstate or intrastate commerce. The final rule becomes effective on June 30, 2004.

69 FR 39446: On June 30, 2004, DOE published a revision to the ROD on the EIS on the Waste Management Program: Treatment and Storage of TRU Waste (see article, this edition).

69 FR 39449: On June 30, 2004, DOE published a ROD on LLW, MLLW, and TRU waste at the Hanford Site. The ROD decisions were made as a result of the Final Hanford Site Solid Waste Program EIS that was published in January 2004 (see article, this edition).

69 FR 39456: On June 30, 2004 DOE published a revision to the ROD for DOE's WIPP Disposal Phase published in the FR on January 23, 1998 (63 FR 3624). DOE has decided to dispose of up to 2500 cubic meters of TRU waste mixed with PCBs located at six DOE sites including Hanford (see article, this edition).

69 FR 39464: On June 30, 2004, EPA published a notice announcing that it was seeking public comment and information on an ICR regarding the TSCA Section 4 Test Rules, Consent Orders, Test Rule Exemptions, and Voluntary Data Submission before it submits the ICR to the OMB for review and approval. Comments on the ICR must be received by EPA on or before August 30, 2004.

WSR 04-11-067: On June 2, 2004, Ecology published an expedited rule on Chapter 173-300, Certification of Operators of Solid Waste Incinerator and Landfill Facilities. The purpose of the rule is to clarify that landfill and incineration operator certification processes can be conducted by parties external to Ecology under agreements or other contractual arrangements. Comments on the expedited rule must be received by Ecology on or before July 19, 2004.

WSR 04-11-038: On June 2, 2004, Ecology published a preproposal statement of inquiry to begin rulemaking that will establish a state water management program for the Columbia River. Interested parties can participate in the rulemaking by contacting Gerry O'Keefe at Ecology's Headquarters Office.

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