[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 67 (Thursday, April 7, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-8357]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: April 7, 1994]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 271

[FRL-4860-2]

 

North Dakota; Final Authorization of State Hazardous Waste 
Management Program

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

Action: Immediate final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The State of North Dakota has applied for final authorization 
of revisions to its hazardous waste program under the Resource 
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) has reviewed North Dakota's application and has made a 
decision, subject to public review and comment, that North Dakota's 
hazardous waste program revision satisfies all of the requirements 
necessary to qualify for final authorization. Thus, EPA intends to 
approve North Dakota's hazardous waste program revisions. North 
Dakota's application for program revision is available for public 
review and comment.

DATES: Final authorization for North Dakota shall be effective on June 
6, 1994 unless EPA publishes a prior Federal Register action 
withdrawing this immediate final rule. All comments on North Dakota's 
program revision application must be received by the close of business 
by May 9, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Copies of North Dakota's program revision application are 
available during regular business hours at the following addresses for 
inspection and copying: Division of Waste Management, Department of 
Health and Consolidated Laboratories, 1200 Missouri Avenue, Bismarck, 
North Dakota 58502-5520 and US EPA Region VIII Library, 999 18th 
Street, suite 144, Denver, Colorado 80204-2466. Written comments should 
be sent to: Marcella DeVargas (HWM-WM), U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency, 999 18th Street, suite 500, Denver, Colorado 80202-2466, Phone 
303/293-1670.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marcella DeVargas, Waste Management 
Branch, U.S. EPA, 999 18th Street, suite 500, Denver, Colorado 80202-
2466, Phone: 303/293-1670.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    States with final authorization under section 3006(b) of the 
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (``RCRA'' or the ``the Act''), 
42 U.S.C. 6929 (b), have a continuing obligation to maintain a 
hazardous waste program that is equivalent to, consistent with, and no 
less stringent than the Federal hazardous waste program.
    Revisions to State hazardous waste programs are necessary when 
Federal or State statutory or regulatory authority is modified or when 
certain other changes occur. Most commonly, State program revisions are 
necessitated by changes to EPA's regulations in 40 CFR parts 124, 260-
268 and 270. Modification to the Federal program, due to statutory and 
regulatory changes, requires subsequent modifications to the State 
authorized program. Until the State is authorized for such 
modifications, EPA is responsible for implementing and enforcing the 
modification in the State. Further, if the State law which forms the 
basis of the federally authorized State program is amended, the State 
must promptly seek revision authorization for those provisions. Until 
the amendments to State law are authorized by EPA, the regulated 
community must ensure compliance with both the federally authorized 
State program and the non-authorized Federal program. The regulated 
community may also need to comply with current State laws in the 
situation where State law has been amended after Federal authorization 
has been granted.

B. North Dakota

    North Dakota initially received final authorization in October 
1984. North Dakota received authorization for revisions to its program 
on August 24, 1990. On February 23, 1994, North Dakota submitted a 
final program revision application for additional program approvals. 
Today, North Dakota is seeking approval of its program revision in 
accordance with 40 CFR 271.21(b)(3).
    In the previous revision authorization published on August 24, 
1990, EPA included authorization of the direct action against insurers, 
HSWA section 3004(t) provision to North Dakota. It was later determined 
this provision is not delegable. Therefore, EPA is clarifying with this 
notice that the direct action against insurers to North Dakota is 
withdrawn. The Federal cause of action provided by RCRA 3004(t) remains 
in effect in authorized states. The State law equivalent to 3004(t) 
operates separately from the Federal law and, in this situation, the 
North Dakota law which provides for a direct cause of action against 
insurers operates as an additional authority to the Federal authority.
    EPA has reviewed North Dakota's application, and has made an 
immediate final decision that North Dakota's hazardous waste program 
revision satisfies all of the requirements necessary to qualify for 
final authorization. Consequently, EPA intends to grant final 
authorization for the additional program modifications to North Dakota. 
The public may submit written comments on EPA's immediate final 
decision up until May 9, 1994. Copies of North Dakota's application for 
program revision are available for inspection and copying at the 
locations indicated in the Addresses section of this notice.
    Approval of North Dakota's program revision shall become effective 
in 60 days unless an adverse comment pertaining to the State's revision 
discussed in this notice is received by the end of the comment period. 
If an adverse comment is received EPA will publish either: (1) A 
withdrawal of the immediate final decision; or (2) a notice containing 
a response to comments which either affirms that the immediate final 
decision takes effect or reverses the decision.
    EPA's comments on the draft application were addressed in the final 
application. Thus, the North Dakota program is only granted final 
authorization for those provisions specifically listed in Table 1.
    North Dakota has not requested authorization to operate its 
hazardous waste program, as revised, in ``Indian Country'' as defined 
in 18 U.S.C. 1151. Accordingly, EPA's decision to grant North Dakota 
final hazardous waste authorization, as revised, does not extend to 
``Indian Country''. The Environmental Protection Agency retains all 
hazardous waste authority under RCRA which applies to Indian Country in 
North Dakota.
    Today, North Dakota is seeking approval of its program revision in 
accordance with 40 CFR 271.21(b)(3). Specific provisions which are 
included in the North Dakota program authorization revision sought 
today are listed in Table 1 below. 

                                                    Table 1                                                     
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  HSWA or FR reference                                     State equivalent\1\                  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Availability of Information, 3006(f), 11/8/84.......  33-24-02-16, NDCC 28-32-21.1, MOA.                     
2. Burning of Waste Rule and Used Oil Fuel in Boilers    33-24-02-03, 33-24-02-05, 33-24-02-06, 33-24-05-144, 33-
 and Industrial Furnaces, 50 FR 49164, 11/29/85,          24-05-210, 33-24-05-211, 33-24-05-212, 33-24-05-213,  
 amended on 4/13/87, 52 FR 1/18/19.                       33-24-05-214, 33-24-05-215, 33-24-05-220, 33-24-05-   
                                                          221, 33-24-05-222, 33-24-05-223, 33-24-05-224.        
3. HSWA Codification Rule 2, 52 FR 45788, 12/1/87......  33-24-06-17, 33-24-05-57, 33-24-05-58, 33-25-01-06, 33-
                                                          25-01-11, 33-24-06-16, 33-24-06-18, 33-24-06-01.      
4. Hazardous Waste Miscellaneous Units, 52 FR 46946, 12/ 33-24-01-04, 33-24-05-01, 33-24-05-06, 33-24-05-09, 33-
 10/87.                                                   24-05-40, 33-24-05-47, 33-24-05-60, 33-24-05-61, 33-24-
                                                          05-63, 33-24-05-66, 33-24-05-67, 33-24-05-76, 33-24-05-
                                                          79, 33-24-05-300, 33-24-05-301, 33-24-05-302, 33-24-05-
                                                          303, 33-24-06-17.                                     
5. Technical Corrections; Identification and Listing of  33-24302-18, 33-24-02.                                 
 Hazardous Waste, 53 FR 13382, 4/22/88.                                                                         
6. Identification and Listing of Hazardous Waste;        33-24-02-05.                                           
 Technical Corrections, 53 FR 27162, 7/19/88.                                                                   
7. Farmer Exemptions; Technical Corrections, 53 FR       33-24-03-01, 33-24-05-01, 33-24-06-16, 33-24-05-250, 33-
 27164, 7/19/88.                                          24-06-01.                                             
8. Identification and Listing of Hazardous Waste;        3-24-01-04.                                            
 Treatability Studies Sample Exemption, 53 FR 27290, 7/                                                         
 19/88.                                                                                                         
9. Land Disposal Restrictions for First Third Scheduled  33-24-05-04, 33-24-05-40, 33-24-06-16, 33-24-05-201, 33-
 Wastes, 53 FR 31138, 8/17/89; Amended 2/27/89, 54 FR     24-05-250, 33-24-05-253, 33-24-05-254, 33-24-05-255,  
 8264.                                                    33-24-05-256, 33-24-05-257, 33-24-05-270, 33-24-05-   
                                                          271, 33-24-05-272, 33-24-05-273, 33-24-05-280, 33-24- 
                                                          05-281, 33-24-05-282, 33-24-05-283, 33-24-05-284, 33- 
                                                          24-05-290.                                            
10. Hazardous Waste Management System; Standards for     33-24-01-04, 33-24-05-63, 33-24-05-103, 33-24-05-106,  
 Hazardous Waste Storage and Treatment Tank Systems, 53   33-24-06-16, 33-24-01-04.                             
 FR 34079, 9/2/88.                                                                                              
11. Identification and Listing of Hazardous Waste; and   33-24-02-04, 33-24-02-17, 33-24-02 Appendix IV.        
 Designation, Reportable Quantities, and Notification,                                                          
 53 FR 35412, 9/13/88.                                                                                          
12. Statistical Methods for Evaluating Ground-Water      33-24-05-48, 33-24-05-49, 33-24-05-54, 33-24-05-55, 33-
 Monitoring Data from Hazardous Waste Facilities, 53 FR   24-05-56.                                             
 39720, 10/11/88.                                                                                               
13. Hazardous Waste Miscellaneous Units; Standards       33-24-06-17                                            
 Applicable to Owners and Operators, 54 FR 615, 1/9/89.                                                         
14. Amendment to Requirements for Hazardous Waste        33-24-06-19.                                           
 Incinerator Permits, 54 FR 4286, 1/30/89.                                                                      
15. Land Disposal Restrictions for Second Third          33-24-05-274, 33-24-05-281, 33-24-05-282, 33-24-05-283.
 Scheduled Wastes, 54 FR 26594, 6/23/89.                                                                        
16. Mining Waste Exclusion 1, 54 FR 36592, 9/1/89......  33-24-02-03, 33-24-02-04.                              
17. Testing and Monitoring Activities, 54 FR 40260, 9/   33-24-01-05, 33-24-02 Appendix III.                    
 29/89.                                                                                                         
18. Reportable Quantity Adjustment Methyl Bromide        33-24-02-17, 33-24-02 Appendices III and IV.           
 Production Wastes, 54 FR 41402, 10/6/89.                                                                       
19. Reportable Quantity Adjustment, 54 FR 50968, 12/11/  33-24-02-16, 33-24-02 Appendices IV and V.             
 89.                                                                                                            
20. Changes to Part 124, 48 FR 14146, 1/1/83; 48 FR      33-24-07-02, 33-24-07-03, 33-24-07-04, 33-24-07-06, 33-
 30113, 6/30/83; 53 FR 28118, 7/26/88; 53 FR 37396, 9/    24-07-08.                                             
 26/88; 54 FR 246, 1/4/89.                                                                                      
21. Mining Waste Exclusion II, 55 FR 2322, 1/23/90.....  33-24-01-04, 33-24-03-07.                              
22. Testing and Monitoring Activities; Technical         33-24-01-05, 33-24-02 Appendix III--Tables 2 and 3.    
 Corrections, 55 FR 8948, 3/9/90.                                                                               
23. Toxicity Characteristic Revisions, 55 FR 11798, 3/   33-24-02-04, 33-24-02-14, 33-24-02-15, 33-24-02        
 29/90, Amended 6/29/90 at 55 FR 26986.                   Appendix II, 33-24-05-177, 33-24-06-16.               
24. Criteria for Listing Toxic Wastes; Technical         33-24-02-09.                                           
 Amendment, 55 FR 18726, 5/4/90.                                                                                
25. HSWA Codification Rule, Double Liners; Correction,   33-24-05-116, 33-24-05-177.                            
 55 FR 19262, 5/9/90.                                                                                           
26. Organic Air Emission Standards for Process Vents     33-24-01-05, 33-24-02-06, 33-24-05-04, 33-24-05-06, 33-
 and Equipment Leaks, 55 FR 25454, 6/21/90.               24-05-40, 33-24-05-44, 33-24-05-400, 33-24-05-401, 33-
                                                          24-05-402, 33-24-05-403, 33-24-05-404, 33-24-05-405,  
                                                          33-24-05-406, 33-24-02-407 to 419, 33-24-05-420, 33-24-
                                                          05-421, 33-24-05-422, 33-24-05-423, 33-24-05-424, 33- 
                                                          24-05-425, 33-24-05-426, 33-24-05-427, 33-24-05-428,  
                                                          33-24-05-429, 33-24-05-430, 33-24-05-431, 33-24-05-   
                                                          432, 33-24-05-433, 33-24-05-434, 33-24-05-435, 33-24- 
                                                          05-436 to 474, 33-24-06-16, 33-24-05-17.              
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\References are to North Dakota Century Code, Hazardous Waste Management, Section 6 North Dakota Constitution,
  NDAC Practice and Procedure.                                                                                  

C. Decision

    I conclude that North Dakota's application for program revision 
meets all of the statutory and regulatory requirements established by 
RCRA. Accordingly, North Dakota is granted final authorization to 
operate its hazardous waste program as revised.
    North Dakota now has responsibility for permitting treatment, 
storage, and disposal facilities within its borders and carrying out 
other aspects of the RCRA program, subject to the limitation of its 
revised program application and previously approved authorities. North 
Dakota also has primary enforcement responsibilities, although EPA 
retains the right to conduct inspections under section 3007 of RCRA and 
to take enforcement actions under sections 3008, 3013, and 7003 of 
RCRA. The State of North Dakota will submit a draft application for 
Non-HSWA cluster 6 and HSWA cluster 2 by June 30, 1994.

Compliance With Executive Order 12866

    The Office of Management and Budget has exempted this rule from the 
requirements of section 6 of Executive Order 12866.

Certification Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Pursuant to the provisions of 4 U.S.C. 605(b), I hereby certify 
that this authorization will not have a significant economic impact on 
a substantial number of small entities. This authorization effectively 
suspends the applicability of certain Federal regulations in favor of 
North Dakota's program, thereby eliminating duplicative requirements 
for handlers of hazardous waste in the State. It does not impose any 
new burdens on small entities. This rule, therefore, does not require a 
regulatory flexibility analysis.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 271

    Administrative practice and procedure, Confidential business 
information, Hazardous materials transportation, Hazardous waste Indian 
lands, Intergovernmental relations, Penalties, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Water pollution control, Water supply.

    Authority: This notice is issued under the authority of sections 
2002(a), 3006 and 7004(b) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act as amended 
42 U.S.C. 6912 (a), 6926, 6974(b).

    Dated: March 29, 1994.
William P. Yellowtail,
Regional Administrator.
[FR Doc. 94-8357 Filed 4-6-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P