Hanford
Environmental
Report

Dedicated to the Goal of 100% Environmental Compliance

Volume 19, Number 2 - September 12, 1997

From Olympia:

ECOLOGY UPDATES TREATMENT BY GENERATOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION MEMORANDUM

Ecology recently issued Technical Information Memorandum (TIM) 96-412, Treatment by Generator, to replace the previous TIM 86-3, revised July 1993. Since release of the original TIM, Ecology has received numerous questions concerning decisions generators and Ecology must make between on-site and off-site treatment types and processes at permitted treatment, storage and disposal or recycling facilities. As a result, Ecology has revised the TIM to provide additional guidance and clarity on this and other questions. The updated TIM is intended to benefit generators by providing:

In addition to the TIM, Ecology has prepared six self-implementing Fact Sheets that contain guidance on specific treatment methods that generators can use for treating waste. These include filtration (Publication # 96-413), evaporation (Publication # 96-414), carbon adsorption (Publication # 96-415), solidification (Publication # 96-416), elementary neutralization (Publication # 96-417), and separation (Publication # 96-418). For a copy of the TIM or Fact Sheets, email or call Marsha_A_Beery@rl.gov of Fluor Daniel Hanford, Inc., Lacey Office at (360) 493-0843.

From Washington D. C.:

EPA ISSUES AMMENDMENT TO THE DEFINITION OF VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS

On August 25, EPA published its final rule in the Federal Register (62 FR 44900) excluding 16 compounds from the definition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in Title I of the Clean Air Act (CAA). States use this definition when preparing their State Implementation Plans to control ozone in areas that fail to meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The revision also applies to Federal Implementation Plans for ozone nonattainment areas. EPA is taking this action as a result of a petition filed by the Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy. Compounds EPA is excluding are:

Currently, Hanford has an Ozone Depleting Substances Management Plan (ODSMP) which provides guidance to site staff in handling volatile organic compounds containing ozone-depleting compounds. FHD's Environmental Protection is reviewing this final rule to determine how it will impact the ODSMP and other activities at Hanford. For more information, email or call Kirk_A_Peterson@rl.gov of Fluor Daniel Hanford, Inc. at (509) 372-2364.

Briefly:

Ecology's Toxic Cleanup Program recently announced that it has updated its list of publications. Currently, there are 48 publication on this list which not only includes the name of the publication but also a description of each as well. For a copy of the list, email or call Marsha_A_Beery@rl.gov of Fluor Daniel Hanford, Inc., Lacey Office at (360) 493-0843.


FEDERAL/STATE
REGISTER REVIEW
Note: For electronic copies of Federal Register (FR) items or hard copies of Washington State Register (WSR) items listed here, email or call JoAnn_A_ McCoy@rl.gov of Waste Management Federal Services of Hanford, Inc. at (509) 372-3596.
62 FR 41964
On August 4, EPA published a notice announcing that the Risk Assessment and Risk Management Commission established under Section 303 of the CAA Amendments of 1990 will be disbanded. This commission has issued a two volume report. Volume one discusses the Environmental Health Risk Management Framework and its implementation. Volume two discusses other issues related to health and environmental risk-based decisions. Copies can be obtained on the Internet at http://www.riskworld.com or from the Government Printing Office at 202/512-1800 (Volume 1 - stock number 055-000-00567-2 at $6.00; Volume 2, stock number 055-000-00568-1 at $19.00).
 
62 FR 44900
On August 25, EPA published revisions to the definition of volatile organic compounds (VOC) under Title I of the CAA used in preparing State Implementation Plans to comply with national ambient air quality standards for ozone. This amendment adds 16 compounds to the list of compounds excluded from the definition of VOC. The final rule becomes effective September 24, 1997.
 
62 FR 44926
On August 25, EPA published its proposed rule adding methyl acetate to the list of compounds excluded from the definition of VOCs. This exclusion is based on EPA's research showing that it has a negligible effect on ozone formation. Methyl acetate is used as a solvent in certain paints, inks and adhesives. Comments on the proposed rule must be received in EPA by September 24, 1997.
 
62 FR 45369
On August 27, EPA published its proposed amendments to 40 CFR Parts 60, 61 and 63 on source testing or monitoring of emissions. EPA proposes to make miscellaneous editorial and technical corrections. It is also proposing to add Performance Specification 15 to Appendix B, Part 60 and to restructure the format of Appendix A, Part 60 and 63 and Appendix B, Part 61. Comments on the proposed amendments must be received in EPA by October 27, 1997.
 
62 FR 45403
On August 27, DOE published a notice announcing that the Secretary is requesting a 45 day extension of time to transmit an implementation plan to the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) on the safe storage of uranium-233. The DNFSB published Recommendation 97-1 regarding safe storage of uranium-233 on March 11, 1997 (62 FR 11160) and under the Atomic Energy Act, DOE must transmit an implementation plan or submit a notification of extension by August 11, 1997. Comments on the notice must be received in DOE by September 25, 1997.
 
62 FR 46214
On September 2, DOT published its direct final rule removing Radiation Protection Program (RPP) provisions from the rule that require radiation protection programs to be developed and maintained for persons who offer, accept for transport or transport radioactive materials. DOT is taking this action to address difficulties that stakeholders are having in implementing and complying with the requirements of this RPP. The direct final rule becomes effective immediately.
 
WSR 97-17-081
On September 3, Ecology published a proposed rule to establish criteria which would allow it to prioritize the processing of certain water right applications or applications for change or transfer of water right. The proposed rule expands on and replaces an emergency rule filed June 20, 1997. It is intended to comply with the courts ruling in the case Hillis vs Ecology et al, Supreme Court No. 63399-1. Public hearings are scheduled in several cities in October including a public hearing in Kennewick on October 15 from 6:30pm to 9:00pm at the Kennewick Hanford Project Office, 1315 West 4th Avenue. Comments on the proposed rule must be received in Ecology by November 7, 1997.

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