[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 174 (Tuesday, September 9, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47401-47402]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-23839]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 260, 261, and 273

[SWH-FRL-5889-2]


Hazardous Waste Management System; Modification of the Hazardous 
Waste Program; Mercury-Containing Lamps; Notice of Data Availability; 
Notice of Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of data availability; notice of extension 
of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The comment period for the Mercury Emissions study relating to 
the management of spent mercury-containing lamps under the Resource 
Conservation and Recovery Act Subtitle C hazardous waste management 
system which was announced in the Federal Register on July 11, 1997 (62 
FR 37183) is extended from August 25, 1997 to October 9, 1997.

DATES: EPA will accept public comments on this Notice of Data 
Availability until close of business on October 9, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Commenters must send an original and two copies of their 
comments referencing docket number F-97-FLEA-FFFFF to: RCRA Docket 
Information Center, Office of Solid Waste (5305G), U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency Headquarters (EPA, HQ), 401 M Street, SW, Washington, 
D.C. 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-97-FLEA-FFFFF. All electronic 
comments must be submitted as an ASCII file avoiding the use of special 
characters and any form of encryption. If comments are not submitted 
electronically, EPA is asking prospective commenters to voluntarily 
submit one additional copy of their comments on labeled personal 
computer diskettes in ASCII (TEXT) format or a word processing format 
that can be converted to ASCII (TEXT). It is essential to specify on 
the disk label the word processing software and version/edition as well 
as the commenter's name. This will allow EPA to convert the comments 
into one of the word processing formats utilized by the Agency. Please 
use mailing envelopes designed to physically protect the submitted 
diskettes. EPA emphasizes that submission of comments on diskettes is 
not mandatory, nor will it result in any advantage or disadvantage to 
any commenter.
    Commenters should not submit electronically any 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, 
D.C. 20460.
    Public comments and supporting materials are available for viewing 
in the RCRA Information Center (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 regulatory 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: For general information, contact the 
RCRA Hotline at (800) 424-9346 or TDD (800) 553-7672 (hearing 
impaired). In the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, call (703) 412-
9810 or TDD (703) 412-3323. For information on specific aspects of the 
report, contact Mr. Lyn Luben, Office of Solid Waste (5307W), U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 
20460, phone (703) 308-0508.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 11, 1997 EPA published a Notice of 
Data Availability (NODA) (62 FR 37183) announcing the availability of 
its mercury emissions study. The Mercury Emissions study contains 
information relating to the July 1994 proposed rule addressing the 
management of spent mercury-containing lamps. The Agency established a 
45-day comment period in the NODA and indicated that comments on the 
study would be accepted until August 25, 1997. EPA has received several 
written requests to extend the comment period. The additional time 
requested ranged from 45 to 90 days. As justification for the time 
extension, stakeholders noted the large amount of information contained 
in the report and the complexity of the study. The Agency has decided 
to grant an additional 45 days beyond the initial 45-day comment period 
to allow stakeholders additional

[[Page 47402]]

time to review the study and formulate comments for the Agency's 
consideration. The Agency does not believe that more than a 45-day 
extension is necessary. Stakeholders were aware of the types of issues 
that would be discussed in the study and have had, therefore, adequate 
time to prepare comments to the Agency on the general issues. As for 
specific information presented in the study, 90 days provides adequate 
time to respond. The Agency wishes to move forward with the mercury-
containing lamps rulemaking and believes that an extension beyond 45 
days would cause unnecessary delay. See 62 FR 37183 (July 11, 1997) for 
a more detailed explanation of the study. Accordingly, the Agency is 
extending the comment period 45 days to October 9, 1997 to provide for 
a 90-day comment period.

    Dated: August 25, 1997.
Elizabeth A. Cotsworth,
Acting Director Office of Solid Waste.
[FR Doc. 97-23839 Filed 9-8-97; 8:45 am]
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