[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 206 (Wednesday, October 23, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54950-54952]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26917]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 271

[FRL-5638-1]


Ohio: Authorization of State Hazardous Waste Management Program

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Immediate final rule.

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SUMMARY: Ohio submitted an application seeking final authorization of 
revisions to its hazardous waste program under the Resource 
Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended (RCRA). The 
application included a program description, a statement by the Ohio 
Attorney General, a memorandum of agreement, and the revisions to 
Ohio's Administrative Code. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 
has reviewed Ohio's application and has reached a decision, subject to 
public review and comment, that these hazardous waste program revisions 
satisfy all the requirements necessary to qualify for final 
authorization. Thus, EPA intends to grant final authorization to Ohio 
to operate its expanded program, subject to authority retained by EPA 
under the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984 (Pub. L. 98-616, 
November 8, 1984, hereinafter HSWA).

EFFECTIVE DATE: Final authorization for Ohio shall be effective on 
December 23, 1996 unless EPA publishes a prior Federal Register (FR) 
action withdrawing this immediate final rule. All comments on Ohio's 
final authorization must be received by 4:30 p.m. central time on 
November 22, 1996. If an adverse comment is received, EPA will publish 
either: a withdrawal of this immediate final rule or a document 
containing a response to the comment which either affirms that the 
immediate final decision takes effect or reverses the decision.

ADDRESSES: Copies of Ohio's final Authorization Revision Application 
are available for inspection and copying from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the 
following addresses: Ms. Kit Arthur, Ohio Environmental Protection 
Agency, 1800 WaterMark Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43215, Phone 614/644-3174; 
Mr. Timothy O'Malley, U.S. EPA Region 5, DR-7J, 77 W. Jackson, Chicago, 
Illinois 60604, Phone 312/886-6085. Written comments should be sent to 
Mr. Timothy O'Malley, U.S. EPA Region 5, DR-7J, 77 W. Jackson (DR-7J), 
Chicago, Illinois, 60604, Phone (312) 886-6085.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Timothy O'Malley, Ohio Regulatory 
Specialist, U.S. EPA Region 5, DR-7J, 77 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago, 
Illinois, 60604, (312) 886-6085.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

A. Background

    States with final authorization under section 3006(b) of RCRA, 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. In addition, as an 
interim measure, the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984 
(Public Law 98-616, November 8, 1984, hereinafter HSWA) allows States 
to revise their programs to become substantially equivalent instead of 
equivalent to RCRA requirements promulgated under HSWA authority. 
States exercising the latter option receive interim authorization for 
the HSWA requirements under Section 3006(g) of RCRA, 42 U.S.C. 6926(g), 
and later apply for final authorization for the HSWA requirements.
    In accordance with 40 CFR 271.21, 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, 260-266, 268, and 270.

B. Ohio

    Ohio initially received final authorization for its program 
effective June 30, 1989 (54 FR 27170). Subsequently, Ohio received 
authorization for revisions to its program, which became effective on 
June 7, 1991 (56 FR 14203), August 19, 1991 (56 FR 28008), and 
September 25, 1995 (60 FR 38502). On September 10, 1996, Ohio submitted 
a final program revision application for additional program approvals. 
Today, Ohio is seeking approval of this program

[[Page 54951]]

revision in accordance with 40 CFR 271.21(b)(3).
    EPA has reviewed Ohio's application, and has made an immediate 
final decision that Ohio's hazardous waste program revisions satisfy 
all of the requirements necessary to qualify for final authorization. 
Consequently, EPA intends to grant final authorization for the 
additional program modifications to Ohio. The public may submit written 
comments on EPA's immediate final decision up until November 22, 1996. 
Copies of Ohio's application for program revision are available for 
inspection and copying at the locations indicated in the ADDRESSES 
section of this notice.
    Approval of Ohio'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.
    On December 23, 1996, Ohio will be authorized to carry out, in lieu 
of the Federal program, those provisions of the State's program which 
are analogous to the following provisions of the Federal program:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Federal requirement               Analogous State authority   
------------------------------------------------------------------------
HSWA Codification Rule--Corrective       Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) 
 Action, July 15, 1985, (50 FR            3745-55-011 (A) and (B);      
 28702).\1\.                              effective June 29, 1990. OAC  
                                          3745-50-46 (A)(1)(b)(vii) and 
                                          (B); 3745-54-90(A); effective 
                                          February 11, 1992.            
HSWA Codification Rule 2--Permit         Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) 
 Application Requirements Regarding       3745-50-44 (B) and (D),       
 Corrective Action, December 1, 1987,     (D)(1)(a)-(e), (D)(2) and     
 (52 FR 45788)\1\.                        (D)(3); effective April 15,   
                                          1993.                         
HSWA Codification Rule 2--Corrective     Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) 
 Action Beyond the Facility Boundary,     3745-55-01(E), (E) (1) and    
 December 1, 1987, (52 FR 45788).\1\.     (2); effective February 11,   
                                          1992. OAC 3745-55-011(C);     
                                          effective June 29, 1990.      
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Indicates HSWA requirement.                                         

    EPA shall administer any RCRA hazardous waste permits, or portions 
of permits, that contain conditions based upon the Federal program 
provisions for which the State is applying for authorization, and which 
were issued by EPA prior to the effective date of this authorization. 
EPA has previously suspended issuance of permits for the other 
provisions on June 30, 1989, June 7, 1991, August 19, 1991, and 
September 25, 1995, the effective dates of Ohio's final authorization 
for the RCRA base program, and for subsequent program revisions.
    Ohio is not authorized to operate the Federal program on Indian 
lands. This authority remains with EPA unless provided otherwise in a 
future statute or regulation.

C. Decision

    I conclude that Ohio's program revision meets all of the statutory 
and regulatory requirements established by RCRA described in its 
revised program application, subject to the limitations of the HSWA. 
Accordingly, EPA grants Ohio final authorization to operate its 
hazardous waste program as revised. Ohio currently has responsibility 
for permitting treatment, storage, and disposal facilities within its 
borders and carrying out other aspects of the RCRA program and its 
amendments. Ohio 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.

D. Codification in Part 272

    EPA incorporates by reference authorized State programs in Part 272 
of 40 CFR to provide notice to the public of the scope of the 
authorized program in each State. Incorporation by reference of the 
Ohio program will be completed at a later date.

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.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), Pub. 
L. 104-4, establishes requirements for Federal agencies to assess the 
effects of certain regulatory actions on State, local, and tribal 
governments and the private sector. Under sections 202 and 205 of the 
UMRA, EPA generally must prepare a written statement of economic and 
regulatory alternatives analyses for proposed and final rules with 
Federal mandates, as defined by the UMRA, that may result in 
expenditures to State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, 
or to the private sector, of $100 million or more in any one year. The 
section 202 and 205 requirements do not apply to today's action because 
it is not a ``Federal mandate'' and because it does not impose annual 
costs of $100 million or more.
    Today's rule contains no Federal mandates for State, local or 
tribal governments or the private sector for two reasons. First, 
today's action does not impose new or additional enforceable duties on 
any State, local or tribal governments or the private sector because 
the requirements of the Ohio program are already imposed by the State 
and subject to State law. Second, the Act also generally excludes from 
the definition of a ``Federal mandate'' duties that arise from 
participation in a voluntary Federal program. Ohio's participation in 
an authorized hazardous waste program is voluntary.
    Even if today's rule did contain a Federal mandate, this rule will 
not result in annual expenditures of $100 million or more for State, 
local, and/or tribal governments in the aggregate, or the private 
sector. Costs to State, local and/or tribal governments already exist 
under the Ohio program, and today's action does not impose any 
additional obligations on regulated entities. In fact, EPA's approval 
of State programs generally may reduce, not increase, compliance costs 
for the private sector.
    The requirements of section 203 of UMRA also do not apply to 
today's action. Before EPA establishes any regulatory requirements that 
may significantly or uniquely affect small governments, section 203 of 
the UMRA requires EPA to develop a small government agency plan. This 
rule contains no regulatory requirements that might significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments. The Agency recognizes that although 
small governments may be hazardous waste generators, transporters, or 
own and/or operate TSDFs, they are already subject to the regulatory 
requirements under existing State law which are being authorized by 
EPA, and, thus, are not

[[Page 54952]]

subject to any additional significant or unique requirements by virtue 
of this program approval.

Certification Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act

    EPA has determined that this authorization will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
Such small entities which are hazardous waste generators, transporters, 
or which own and/or operate TSDFs are already subject to the regulatory 
requirements under existing State law which are being authorized by 
EPA. EPA's authorization does not impose any additional burdens on 
these small entities. This is because EPA's authorization would simply 
result in an administrative change, rather than a change in the 
substantive requirements imposed on these small entities.
    Therefore, EPA provides the following certification under the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act, as amended by the Small Business Regulatory 
Enforcement Fairness Act. Pursuant to the provision at 5 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 approves regulatory requirements under existing State law 
to which small entities are already subject. It does not impose any new 
burdens on small entities. This rule, therefore, does not require a 
regulatory flexibility analysis.
    Submission to Congress and the General Accounting Office. Under 5 
U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A) as added by the Small Business Regulatory 
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, EPA submitted a report containing 
this rule and other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. 
House of Representatives and the Comptroller General of the General 
Accounting Office prior to publication of the rule in today's Federal 
Register. This rule is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 
804(2).

Paperwork Reduction Act

    Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. Sec. 3501 et seq., 
Federal agencies must consider the paperwork burden imposed by any 
information request contained in a proposed rule or a final rule. This 
rule will not impose any information requirements upon the regulated 
community.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 271

    Environmental protection, 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, and 6974(b).

    Dated: October 8, 1996.
David A. Ullrich,
Acting Regional Administrator.
[FR Doc. 96-26917 Filed 10-22-96; 8:45 am]
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