Hanford
Environmental
Report
Dedicated to the Goal of 100% Environmental Compliance

Volume 21, Number 11 - November 12, 1999

From Washington, D.C.:

EPA GRANTS FINAL AUTHORIZATION FOR WASHINGTON STATE'S HAZARDOUS WASTE PROGRAM REVISIONS

On October 12, 1999, EPA published an immediate direct final rule in the Federal Register (64 FR 55142) granting Washington State final authorization for revisions it made to its hazardous waste program through adoption of changes to the State Dangerous Waste regulation which occurred in December 1993, October 1995, and January 1998. EPA determined that the revisions Washington made satisfy all requirements necessary to qualify the State for final authorization with one exception. This exception is Washington's designation of characteristic antifreeze as a state-only waste. The final authorization will mean that facilities in Washington currently subject to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) requirements will now have to comply with the state and federal Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendment requirements that were adopted by the State.

At the same time, EPA published a proposed rule in the Federal Register in the event that adverse comments are received on the immediate final rule and it has to be withdrawn. The final authorization will become effective on January 11, 2000. For more information, email or call Marsha A_Beery@rl.gov of Fluor Daniel Hanford, Inc.'s Olympia Office at (360) 709-0664.

From Ecology:

ECOLOGY RELEASES DRAFT AMENDMENTS TO THE DANGEROUS WASTE REGULATIONS

On October 18, 1999, Ecology released draft amendments to the Dangerous Waste Regulations for review and comment. The amendments incorporate new federal hazardous waste regulations EPA promulgated through May 1999 and revise certain state-only provisions. The key changes include:

The draft rule can be downloaded from the Internet at http://www.wa.gov/ecology/leg/laws-etc.html. Comments on the draft rule must be received in Ecology by November 5, 1999. Tony Miskho with Compliance Field Services is coordinating comments for Hanford. For more information, email or call Anthony_G_Miskho@rl.gov of Fluor Daniel Hanford, Inc. at (509) 376-7313.

ECOLOGY CONTINUES RULEMAKING TO AMEND THE NEW SOURCE REVIEW PROVISIONS OF CRITERIA AND TOXIC AIR POLLUTANTS

Steve Cross, Ecology's lead on the amendments to the new source review provisions of criteria and toxic air pollutants, recently gave a presentation to the Air Quality Program management for their concurrence on the provisions of the Toxic Air Pollutant regulations and General Regulation for Air Pollution Sources regulation that need to be amended. The proposed rule language includes amendments to:

Steve will now be presenting this same information to the Air Authority Permit Engineers and Ecology's Air Control Officers for their concurrence. Once he gets concurrence from these groups, he will present the draft rule language to the general public, which will be early next year. Steve also recently convened a committee to update the generic BACT provisions of Chapter 173-460-060 WAC. He is currently presenting issues on the rule language for review and comment by a "virtual" committee composed of stakeholders whom he interacts with through the Internet. Kirk Peterson with FDH, Rodger Woodruff with PNNL and Marsha Beery with FDH are members of this committee. For more information, email or call Kirk_A_Peterson@rl.gov of Fluor Daniel Hanford, Inc. at (509) 372-2364; Rodger Woodruff of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory at (509) 373-6396; or Marsha A_Beery@rl.gov of Fluor Daniel Hanford, Inc.'s Olympia Office at (360) 709-0664.

Notice:

Ecology will hold public workshops on the Stormwater Manual in November at several locations throughout the state including Richland and Yakima. The public workshop in Richland will be held November 17, 1999, at the Benton County PUD, 2721 West 10th Ave, from 9am to 4pm and in Yakima will be held November 18, 1999, at Ecology's Central Regional Office, 15 West Yakima Avenue, Suite 200, from 9am to 4pm. The Stormwater Manual provides guidance on measures to control stormwater runoff. It can be downloaded from the Internet at http://www.wa.gov/ecology/biblio/wq.html. Comments on the Stormwater Manual must be received in Ecology by December 15, 1999.

Ecology will be holding several Generator Workshops in January 2000 throughout the state including Yakima and Spokane. Workshops will be held January 4 in Spokane and January 6 in Yakima. The workshop will provide information to hazardous waste generators in managing wastes properly, completing annual reports correctly, reducing waste, and avoiding common compliance violations. For more information on the workshops and how to register for them, see Ecology's website at http://www.wa.gov/ecology/hwtr.

Ecology recently released a report entitled, "Ecology's 1999 Regulatory Review Progress Report." This report was required as a result of Governor Locke's executive order, EO 97.02, which directs state agencies to submit an annual report to the Governor on the results of regulatory review. The report can be ordered on the Internet at http://www.wa.gov/ecology/leg/laws-etc.html.

On October 26, 1999, Ecology released an update to the Water Quality Permit Writer's Manual, Ecology publication No. 92-109. The Manual contains pertinent information that permit writers will need in preparing water quality permits. The update is $15.50, which includes shipping and is available by calling Jo Jilek, Department of Printing, (360) 570-5071. If you would like a complete copy of the Manual which contains all the updates including the current one, it can be ordered for $38.50 by calling the same number above.


FEDERAL/STATE
REGISTER REVIEW
64 FR 51973
On September 27, 1999, EPA published a notice announcing that the revised 1988 Federal Facilities Compliance Strategy recently retitled "The Yellow Book: Guide to Environmental Enforcement and Compliance at Federal Facilities" is available. This guide is intended to assist Federal agencies in complying with requirements under various laws and Executive Orders.
64 FR 52731
On September 30, 1999, EPA published a proposed rule to amend the definition of volatile organic compounds for attaining the national ambient air quality standards for ozone under Title I of the Clean Air Act (CAA). The proposed revision would add t-butyl acetate to the list of compounds excluded from the definition of VOC. Comments on the proposed rule must be received in EPA by November 29, 1999.
64 FR 52827
On September 30, 1999, EPA published a final rule to revise standards for waste incinerators, hazardous waste burning cement kilns, and hazardous waste burning lightweight aggregate kilns. The standards are being promulgated under the joint authority of the CAA and the RCRA. The standards reflect the performance of Maximum Achievable Control Technologies and limit emissions of chlorinated dioxins and furans, other toxic organic compounds, toxic metals, hydrochloric acid, chlorine gas, and particulate matter. Comments on the final rule became effective September 30, 1999.
64 FR 53166
On September 30, 1999, the Department of Transportation (DOT) published a proposed rule to amend the Hazardous Materials Regulation. The amendments are intended to update, clarify and provide relief from certain regulatory requirements. Comments on the proposed rule must be received in DOT by November 29, 1999.
64 FR 53304
On October 1, 1999, EPA published a notice announcing that it was extending the comment period on revisions to two proposed rules: the Water Quality Planning and Management Regulation (64 FR 46012); and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System; and the Federal Antidegradation Policy (64 FR 64 FR 46058).
64 FR 53304
On October 1, 1999, EPA published a notice announcing that it would hold public hearings to receive comments on the proposed radiation protection standards for Yucca Mountain. The public meetings were held in October in various cities throughout the U.S. Comments on the proposed rule must be received in EPA by November 26, 1999.
64 FR 53669
On October 4, 1999, EPA published a notice announcing a change in the scoping meeting location for the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Accomplishing Expanded Civilian Nuclear Energy Research and Development and Isotope Production Missions in the U.S. Including the Role of the Fast Flux Test Facility. The public meeting was held on October 27, 1999, in Washington D.C.
64 FR 54009
On October 5, 1999, EPA published a notice announcing that it had submitted an Information Collection Request (ICR) on applications for National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits and the Sewage Sludge Management Permits which expires on November 30, 1999, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. Comments on the ICR must be received in EPA by November 4, 1999.
64 FR 54358
On October 6, 1999, the Department of Labor published a notice announcing that it was issuing a proposed policy statement on the agency's treatment of voluntary employer self-audits that assess workplace safety and health conditions including compliance with OSHA. Comments on the policy statement must be received in DOL by December 6, 1999.
64 FR 54543
On October 7, 1999, the NRC published a final rule amendment on the use of respiratory protection and other controls to restrict intake of radioactive materials. The amendments make these regulations more consistent with the recent OSHA respiratory protection revisions, reflect current guidance on respiratory protection from the American National Standards Institute and are consistent with the philosophy of controlling the sum of internal and external radiation exposure. The final rule becomes effective February 4, 1999.
64 FR 54604
On October 7, 1999, EPA published a notice announcing it's decision to withdraw most of the provisions of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Corrective Action for Solid Waste Management Units at Hazardous Waste Management Facilities (know as the Subpart S rule). EPA will keep the elements of the proposed rule that were promulgated as a final rule on February 16, 1993, and two jurisdictional issues.
64 FR 54889
On October 8, 1999, EPA published a notice announcing that a guidance document entitled, "Guide for Industrial Waste Management" was available for review and comment. The purpose of the draft voluntary guide is to assist those interested in evaluating and choosing protective practices for managing non-hazardous industrial wastes. The Guide is available on a CD-ROM, which also contains user-friendly ground water and air models. Comments on the guide must be received in EPA by December 13, 1999.
64 FR 54954
On October 8, 1999, the DOT published a notice soliciting comment and announcing that it was having a public meeting to receive input concerning a study on the applicability of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points or similar methodologies for managing risks posed by hazardous materials transportation. Comments on the study must be received in DOT by November 5, 1999.
64 FR 55142
On October 12, 1999, EPA published an immediate final rule giving final authorization to Washington State on changes to its hazardous waste program under RCRA. Elsewhere in the Federal Register, EPA has also published a proposed rule (64 FR 55222) on this authorization in the event that adverse comments are received on the immediate final rule. The final authorization will become effective January 11, 2000 unless EPA receives adverse comments.
64 FR 55260
On October 12, 1999, EPA published a notice of an additional public hearing to receive public comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Geologic Repository for the Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-level Radioactive Waste at Yucca Mountain. The additional public hearing will be held in Carson City Nevada on December 2, 1999.
64 FR 55912
On October 15, 1999, EPA published a notice announcing that it was submitting an ICR on General Hazardous Waste Facility Standards which expires January 31, 2000 to OMB for review and approval. Comments on the ICR must be received in EPA by November 15, 1999.
64 FR 55924
On October 15, 1999, EPA published a notice announcing that a second draft of the document, "Air Quality Criteria for Carbon Monoxide" was available for public review and comment. The purpose of the document is to provide an assessment of the latest relevant scientific information that may have an impact on the next periodic review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for carbon monoxide. Comments on the draft document must be received in EPA by November 15, 1999.
64 FR 56129
On October 15, 1999, the NRC published a revision to its Enforcement Policy, "General Statement of Policy and Procedure for NRC Enforcement Actions." This revision clarifies that enforcement action must be taken against non-licensees for violations of 10 CFR part 72. This revision became effective October 15, 1999.
64 FR 56173
On October 18, 1999, EPA published a notice that it was withdrawing its direct final rule (64 FR 45187) to amend the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Halogenated Solvent Cleaning. The direct final rule would have provided additional compliance options for continuous web cleaning machines as well as clarify requirements for steam-heated vapor cleaning machines and cleaning machines used to clean transformers. The withdrawal is effective October 18, 1999.
64 FR 56207
On October 18, 1999, EPA published a notice announcing that it was submitting an ICR on the Part 70 Operating Permit Regulations that expires February 28, 2000, to OMB for review and approval. Comments on the ICR must be received in EPA by December 17, 1999.
64 FR 56418
On October 20, 1999, DOE published a final rule amending the DOE Assistance Regulations. DOE is making technical and administrative changes to this rule such as revising certain definitions, changing approval authority, eliminating provisions that contain internal procedures for DOE officials and removing obsolete or redundant provisions. The final rule becomes effective November 19, 1999.
64 FR 56469
On October 20, 1999, EPA published technical corrections to the final rule promulgating treatment standards for metal wastes and mineral processing wastes; mineral processing secondary materials and Beville Exclusion Issues; Treatment Standards for Hazardous Soils and Exclusion on Recycled Wood Preserving Wastewaters. The corrections became effective on October 20, 1999.
64 FR 56792
On October 21, 1999, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) published a notice announcing that it was making available a revised CERCLA Priority List of 275 Hazardous Substances based on the most recent information. Each substance on the list can be the subject of a toxicological profile and a candidate for the identification of priority data needs. The ATSDR has also developed a Completed Exposure Pathway Site Count Report, which lists the number of sites or events with ATSDR activities where a substance has been found in a completed exposure pathway.
64 FR 56998
On October 22, 1999, EPA published a notice announcing that it was extending the comment period for the proposed rule amending the Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory Update Rule published in the Federal Register on August 26, 1999. The comment period has now been extended from October 25, 1999, to December 24, 1999. Comments must received in EPA by that date.
64 FR 57424
On October 25, 1999, EPA published a proposed rule to rescind its prior findings that the 1-hour ozone NAAQS and accompanying designations and classifications no longer apply in certain areas. Instead the 1-hour standard will be reinstated and 40 CFR 50.9(b) will be amended to provide by rule that the 1-hour ozone standard will continue to apply to all areas notwithstanding promulgation of the 8-hour standard. Comments must be received in EPA by December 1, 1999.
64 FR 57430
On October 25, 1999, EPA published a notice announcing that the study of all Class V wells not included in the July 29, 1999, proposed rulemaking (63 FR 40586) is available. The study was conducted as a result of a consent decree that EPA and the Sierra Club entered into in January 1997. The study can be downloaded from the Internet at http://www.epa.gov/OGWDW/uic/c15study.html.
64 FR 57572
On October 26, 1999, EPA published a final rule establishing national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (HAP) for new and existing publicly owned treatment works (POTW). These standards will require air pollution controls on a new or reconstructed treatment plant at a POTW that is a major source of HAP. These standards will also require that new and existing POTW's treating regulated waste streams from an industrial user, for the purpose of allowing that industrial user to comply with another NESHAP, meet the treatment and control requirements of the other relevant NESHAP. The final rule became effective October 26, 1999.
64 FR 57834
On October 27, 1999, EPA published a notice announcing that it was extending the comment period for a proposed rule to amend the regulatory requirements for identifying and establishing Total Maximum Daily Loads; revisions to the Water Quality Planning and Management Regulations (64 Fr 46012) and revisions to the NPDES Program and Federal Antidegradation Policy (64 FR 46058). The comment period has been extended from October 22, 1999 to January 20, 2000.
64 FR 58058
On October 28, 1999, EPA published a notice announcing that is was submitting an ICR on the Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System (ERAMS) to the OMB for review and approval. The ERAMS provide emergency response and ambient monitoring information on the levels of environmental radiation across the U.S. Comments on the ICR must be received in EPA by December 27, 1999.
WSR 99-19-034
On October 6, 1999, Ecology published a notice to add additional public hearings and extend the public comment period on the open burning regulation, Chapter 173-425 WAC. The public hearings were held in Lacey on October 7, 1999, Mount Vernon on October 12, 1999, Moses Lake on October 13, 1999, and Vancouver, WA on October 14, 1999. The comment period was extended to October 22, 1999.
WSR 99-19-124
On October 6, 1999, Ecology published a proposed rule amending Chapter 173-224 WAC, Wastewater discharge permit fees. Ecology is proposing to increase annual fees for the fiscal year 1999-01 biennium, create new permit categories and add new language to allow for automatic fee change to match the state fiscal growth factor. Comments on the proposed rule must be received in Ecology by November 9, 1999.

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Last Updated: November 11, 1999