[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 155 (Friday, August 9, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 41608-41609] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-20371] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-5550-2] Open Meeting of the Industrial Non-Hazardous Waste Stakeholders Focus Group AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency. ACTION: Notice of open meeting of the Industrial Non-Hazardous Waste Stakeholders Focus Group. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: As required by section 10 (a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463), EPA is giving notice of the second meeting of the Industrial Non-Hazardous Waste Policy Dialogue Committee, also known as the Industrial Non-Hazardous Waste Stakeholders Focus Group. The purpose of this committee is to advise EPA and ASTSWMO (the Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials) in developing voluntary guidance for the management of industrial nonhazardous waste in land-based disposal units. The Focus Group will facilitate the exchange of information and ideas among the interested parties relating to the development of such guidance. The purpose of the second meeting will be to continue discussion of issues related to development of such guidance. The agenda will include a discussion of tailoring management practices to risk, liner system designs, groundwater monitoring, location considerations, waste minimization, and public involvement. There will be an opportunity for limited public comment at the end of each day of the meeting. DATES: The committee will meet on September 11-12, 1996, from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 p.m. on September 11, and from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on September 12. ADDRESSES: The location of the meeting is the Quality Hotel Arlington, 1200 Courthouse Road, Arlington, VA. The seating capacity of the room is approximately 60 people, and seating will be on a first-come basis. Supporting materials are available for viewing at Docket # F-96-INHA- FFFFF in the RCRA Information Center (RIC), located at Crystal Gateway One, 1235 Jefferson Davis Highway, First Floor, Arlington, VA. The RIC is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. To review docket materials, the public must make an appointment by calling (703) 603-9230. The public may copy a maximum of 100 pages from any regulatory docket at no charge. Additional copies cost $.15/page. For general information, contact the RCRA Hotline at 1- 800-424-9346 or TDD 1-800-553-7672 (hearing impaired). In the Washington [[Page 41609]] metropolitan area, call 703-412-9610 or TDD 703-412-3323. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Persons needing further information on the committee should contact Paul Cassidy, Municipal and Industrial Solid Waste Division, Office of Solid Waste, at (703) 308-7281. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background EPA and ASTSWMO have formed a State/EPA Steering Committee to jointly develop voluntary facility guidance for the management of industrial nonhazardous waste in land-based disposal units. The purpose of the guidance is to recommend management practices that are environmentally sound, that are protective of public health, and that recognize opportunities for pollution prevention and waste minimization. The guidance will address such topics as appropriate groundwater monitoring and corrective action requirements, liner designs, daily operating requirements, and closure and post-closure practices. The State/EPA Steering Committee has convened this Stakeholders Focus Group to obtain recommendations from individuals who are members of a broad spectrum of public interest groups and affected industries. All recommendations from Focus Group participants will be forwarded to the State/EPA Steering Committee for consideration, as the Stakeholders' Focus Group will not strive for consensus. The State/EPA Steering Committee will also provide an opportunity for public comment on the draft guidance document. ``Industrial nonhazardous waste'' under the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) means waste that is neither municipal solid waste under RCRA Subtitle D nor a hazardous waste under RCRA Subtitle C. Industrial nonhazardous waste consists primarily of manufacturing process wastes, including wastewaters and non-wastewater sludges and solids. EPA estimates there are 7.6 billion tons of industrial nonhazardous waste generated annually in the U.S. and disposed on-site by approximately 12,000 industrial facilities in surface impoundments, landfills, land application units, or waste piles. Most of this waste is managed in surface impoundments, which are designed to hold wastewaters. These wastes, which include inert materials as well as materials which may be declared hazardous at some future date, present a broad range of risk. Under RCRA Subtitle D, the states are responsible for regulating the management of industrial nonhazardous waste. State requirements vary widely, and may include standards for design and operation, location, monitoring, and record keeping. This guidance is intended to complement existing state programs. EPA's role in the management of industrial nonhazardous waste is very limited. Under RCRA Subtitle D, EPA issued minimal criteria prohibiting ``open dumps'' (40 CFR 257) in 1979. The states, not EPA, are responsible for implementing the ``open dumping criteria,'' and EPA has no back-up enforcement role. Copies of the minutes of all Stakeholder Focus Group meetings will be made available through the docket at the RCRA Information Center, including minutes of the first Focus Group meeting, which was held on April 11-12, 1996. Participants The Stakeholders Focus Group consists of approximately 25 members, who represent public interest groups, affected industries, states, and federal officials. Following is a list of representatives from the interested parties: Public interest groups--Michael Gregory, Sierra Club; John Harney, Citizens Round Table/Pennsylvanians United to Rescue the Environment; and Richard Lowerre, Henry, Lowerre, Johnson, Hess & Frederick. Industry sectors--Tim Saylor, International Paper; Gary Robbins, Exxon Company USA; Walter Carey, New Milford Farms/Nestle USA; Robert Giraud, Dupont Company; Paul Bork, Dow Chemical Company; Bruce Steiner, American Iron and Steel Institute; James Meiers, Indianapolis Power and Light Company; Andrew Miles, The Dexter Corporation; Scott Murto, General Motors Corporation; Lisa Williams, The Aluminum Association; Jonathan Greenberg, Browning-Ferris Industries; and Ed Skernolis, WMX Technologies, Inc. States--James Warner, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; Anne Dobbs, Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission; Gene Mitchell, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; and Bill Pounds, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources. Federal officials--Paul Cassidy, Deborah Dalton, Robert Dellinger, Richard Kinch, John Sager and Carol Weisner of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Dated: August 1, 1996. Michael H. Shapiro, Director, Office of Solid Waste. [FR Doc. 96-20371 Filed 8-8-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P