[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 222 (Friday, November 15, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58549-58550]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-29353]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5651-8]


Notice of Data Availability on the Hazardous Waste 
Characteristics Scoping Study

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: EPA is announcing the availability of a report entitled 
``Hazardous Waste Characteristics Scoping Study.'' This report was 
prepared by the Agency under a May 17, 1996 consent agreement with the 
Environmental Defense Fund to investigate if there are gaps in coverage 
in the existing hazardous waste characteristics under the Resource 
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), as well as the nature and extent 
of such gaps. The study presents EPA's methodology for identifying 
potential gaps, as well as the results of the analyses conducted. The 
Scoping Study is a final product; however, EPA will accept information 
relevant to the findings of the Scoping Study to be considered in 
follow-on activities.

DATES: Copies of EPA's Hazardous Waste Characteristics Scoping Study 
will be available from the RCRA Information Center (RIC) after November 
15, 1996. Electronic access via the internet will be available after 
November 25, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Commenters must send an original and two copies of their 
comments referencing docket number F-96-ERDA-FFFFF to: RCRA Docket 
Information Center, Office of Solid Waste (5305G), U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency Headquarters (EPA, HQ), 401 M Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20460. Hand deliveries of comments should be made to the 
Arlington, VA, address listed below. Comments may also be submitted 
electronically by sending electronic mail through the Internet to: 
[email protected]. Comments in electronic format should also 
be identified by the docket number F-96-ERDA-FFFFF. All electronic 
comments must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the use of special 
characters and any form of encryption.
    Commenters should not submit electronically and confidential 
business information (CBI). An original and two copies of CBI must be 
submitted under separate cover to: RCRA CBI Document Control Officer, 
Office of Solid Waste (5305W), U.S. EPA, 401 M Street, SW., Washington, 
DC 20460.
    The Hazardous Waste Characteristics Scoping Study and any public 
comments are available for viewing in the RIC, located at Crystal 
Gateway I, First Floor, 1235 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA. 
The RIC is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding 
federal holidays. To review docket materials, it is recommended that 
the public make an appointment by calling 703-603-9230. The public may 
copy a maximum of 100 pages from any docket at no charge. Additional 
copies cost $0.15/page. For information on accessing paper and/or 
electronic copies of the document, see the ``Supplementary 
Information'' section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Persons needing further information regarding this notice should 
contact Tamara M. Irvin, Office of Solid Waste, 5304W, Environmental 
Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., Washington, DC 20460; telephone: 
(703)-308-9907; e-mail:[email protected]. General questions 
about the regulatory requirements under RCRA should be directed to the 
RCRA Hotline, Office of Solid Waste, U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency, 401 M St. SW, Washington, DC 20460; telephone: toll-free at 
800-424-9346, TDD: 800-553-7672, or locally at 703-412-9810.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery 
Act Section 3001, EPA is charged with defining which solid wastes are 
hazardous by identifying the characteristics of hazardous waste and 
listing particular hazardous wastes. The current hazardous waste 
characteristics are ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, and 
toxicity. As stated above, EPA entered into a consent decree with the 
Environmental Defense Fund to conduct a study investigating if there 
are potential gaps in these characteristics, as well as the nature and 
extent of such gaps.
    For a paper copy of the Hazardous Waste Characteristics Scoping 
Study please contract the RIC at the address in the ADDRESSES section 
of this notice. The study is also available in electronic format on the 
internet. Follow these instructions to access the study.

WWW: http://www.epa.gov
Gopher: gopher.epa.gov/epaoswer
Dial-up: 919 558-0335

    If you are using the gopher or direct dial-up; once you are 
connected to the EPA Public Access Server, look for the report in the 
following directory: EPA Offices and Regions/Office of Solid Waste and 
Emergency Response (OSWER)/Office of Solid Waste (RCRA)/Hazardous Waste 
Identification.

FTP: ftp.epa/gov
Login: anonymous
Password: your Internet address
Files are located in/pub/gopher/OSWRCRA.

    The official record for this action will be kept in paper form. 
Accordingly, EPA will transfer all comments received electronically 
into paper form and place them in the official record, which will also 
include all comments submitted directly in writing. The official record 
is

[[Page 58550]]

the paper record maintained at the location described in ADDRESSES 
above.

    Dated: November 8, 1996.
Elizabeth A. Cotsworth,
Acting Director, Office of Solid Waste.
[FR Doc. 96-29353 Filed 11-14-96; 8:45 am]
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