[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]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P