[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 172 (Tuesday, September 7, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48618-48619]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23195]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[PB-402404-CO/A; FRL-6099-1]


Lead-Based Paint Activities in Target Housing and Child-Occupied 
Facilities; State of Colorado Interim Approval of Lead-Based Paint 
Activities Program

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice; interim approval of the Colorado TSCA Section 402/404 
Lead-Based Paint Accreditation and Certification Program.

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SUMMARY: On December 21, 1998, the State of Colorado submitted an 
application for EPA approval to administer and enforce training and 
certification requirements, training program accreditation 
requirements, and work practice standards for lead-based paint 
activities in target housing and child-occupied facilities under 
section 402 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Colorado 
provided a self-certification letter stating that its program is at 
least as protective of human health and the environment as the Federal 
program and it has the legal authority and ability to implement the 
appropriate elements necessary to receive interim enforcement approval. 
On April 13, 1999, EPA published in the Federal Register (64 FR 18017) 
(FRL-6060-6) a notice announcing receipt of the State's application and 
requesting public comment and/or opportunity for a public hearing on 
the State's application. The Agency did not receive any comments 
regarding any aspect of Colorado's program and/or application. Today's 
notice announces the approval of Colorado's application, and the 
authorization of the Colorado Department of Public Health and 
Environment, Air Pollution Control Division's Lead-Based Paint 
Activities Program to apply in the State of Colorado effective December 
21, 1998, in lieu of the corresponding Federal program under section 
402 of TSCA. This authorization provides interim approval for the 
compliance and enforcement program portion of Colorado's lead-based 
paint program. All elements for final compliance and enforcement 
program approval must be fully implemented no later than December 21, 
2001.

DATES: Based upon the State's self-certification, Lead-Based Paint 
Activities Program authorization was granted to the State of Colorado 
effective on December 21, 1998. Interim approval for the compliance and 
enforcement portion of the program will expire on December 21, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dave Combs, Regional Toxics Team 
Leader, Environmental Protection Agency, Region VIII, 999 18th St., 
Suite 500, 8P-P3-T, Denver, CO 80202-2466. Telephone: 303-312-6021; e-
mail address:[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    On October 28, 1992, the Housing and Community Development Act of 
1992, Public Law 102-550, became law. Title X of that statute was the 
Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992. That Act 
amended TSCA (15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.) by adding Title IV (15 U.S.C. 
2681-92), entitled Lead Exposure Reduction.
    Section 402 of TSCA (15 U.S.C. 2682) authorizes and directs EPA to 
promulgate final regulations governing lead-based paint activities in 
target housing, public and commercial buildings, bridges and other 
structures. Under section 404 (15 U.S.C. 2684), a State may seek 
authorization from EPA to administer and enforce its own lead-based 
paint activities program.
    On August 29, 1996 (61 FR 45777) (FRL-5389-9), EPA promulgated 
final TSCA section 402/404 regulations (40 CFR part 745) governing 
lead-based paint activities in target housing and child-occupied 
facilities. States and Tribes that choose to apply for program 
authorization must submit a complete application to the appropriate 
Regional EPA Office for review. To receive EPA approval, a State or 
Tribe must demonstrate that its program is at least as protective of 
human health and the environment as the Federal program, and provides 
for adequate enforcement (section 404(b) of TSCA, 15 U.S.C. 2684(b)). 
EPA's regulations (40 CFR part 745, Subpart Q) provide the detailed 
requirements a State or Tribal program must meet in order to obtain EPA 
approval.
    Under these regulations with regard to interim compliance and 
enforcement approval (40 CFR 745.327(a)(1)), a State must demonstrate 
that it has the legal authority and ability to immediately implement 
certain elements, including legal authority for accrediting training 
providers, certification of individuals, work practice standards and 
pre-renovation notification, authority to enter, and flexible remedies. 
In order to receive final approval, the state must be able to 
demonstrate that it is able to immediately implement the remaining 
performance elements, including training, compliance assistance, 
sampling techniques, tracking tips and complaints, targeting 
inspections, follow up to inspection reports and compliance monitoring 
and enforcement.
    The State of Colorado's environmental audit privilege and penalty 
immunity statute, sometimes known as S.B. 94-139 (codified at sections 
13-25-126.5, 13-90-107(1)(j), and 25-1-114-5, C.R.S.) may impair the 
State's ability to fully administer and enforce the lead-based paint 
program. Interim compliance and enforcement approval will provide the 
State the opportunity to address problems and issues associated with 
the State's environmental audit privilege and penalty immunity law as 
well as the development and implementation of required performance 
elements under 40 CFR part 745.327(c). EPA will work with the State 
during this interim approval period to remedy any deficiencies in its 
laws or implementation of the required performance elements. Interim 
approval of the compliance and enforcement program portion of the 
State's program may be granted only once. EPA's interim approval of the 
compliance and enforcement program portion of the State's program 
expires on December 21, 2001.
    If the State does not meet the requirements for final approval of 
its compliance and enforcement program by December 21, 2001, EPA may be 
compelled to initiate the process to withdraw Colorado's interim 
authorization pursuant to 40 CFR part 745.324(i). If Colorado has made 
modifications to it's Audit Law necessary to meet the minimum 
requirements of its Federally authorized environmental programs, this 
law will no longer present a barrier to final approval of its lead-
based paint activities program.
    In order to maintain authorization, all program and enforcement 
elements, including all reporting requirements, must be met pursuant to 
the terms identified in Colorado's application. This approval does not 
authorize the State of Colorado to implement and/or enforce a lead-
based paint activities program in Indian Country.

II. Federal Overfiling

    TSCA section 404(b), makes it unlawful for any person to violate, 
or

[[Page 48619]]

fail or refuse to comply with, any requirement of an approved State or 
Tribal program. Therefore, EPA reserves the right to exercise its 
enforcement authority under TSCA against a violation of, or a failure 
or refusal to comply with, any requirement of an authorized State or 
Tribal program.

III. Withdrawal of Authorization

    Pursuant to TSCA section 404(c), the Administrator may withdraw a 
State or Tribal lead-based paint activities program authorization, 
after notice and opportunity for corrective action, if the program is 
not being administered or enforced in compliance with standards, 
regulations, and other requirements established under the 
authorization. The procedures EPA will follow for the withdrawal of an 
authorization are found at 40 CFR 745.324(i).

IV. Regulatory Assessment Requirements

A. Certain Acts and Executive Orders

    EPA's actions on State or Tribal lead-based paint activities 
program applications are informal adjudications, not rules. Therefore, 
the requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA, 5 U.S.C. 601 
et seq.), the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), 
Executive Order 12866 (``Regulatory Planning and Review,'' 58 FR 51735, 
October 4, 1993), and Executive Order 13045 (``Protection of Children 
from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks,'' 62 FR 1985, April 
23, 1997), do not apply to this action. This action does not contain 
any Federal mandates, and therefore is not subject to the requirements 
of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538). In addition, 
this action does not contain any information collection requirements 
and therefore does not require review or approval by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

B. Executive Order 12875

    Under Executive Order 12875, entitled ``Enhancing Intergovernmental 
Partnerships'' (58 FR 58093, October 28, 1993), EPA may not issue a 
regulation that is not required by statute and that creates a mandate 
upon a State, local, or Tribal government, unless the Federal 
government provides the funds necessary to pay the direct compliance 
costs incurred by those governments. If the mandate is unfunded, EPA 
must provide to OMB a description of the extent of EPA's prior 
consultation with representatives of affected State, local, and Tribal 
governments, the nature of their concerns, copies of any written 
communications from the governments, and a statement supporting the 
need to issue the regulation. In addition, Executive Order 12875 
requires EPA to develop an effective process permitting elected 
officials and other representatives of State, local, and Tribal 
governments ``to provide meaningful and timely input in the development 
of regulatory proposals containing significant unfunded mandates.'' 
Today's action does not create an unfunded Federal mandate on State, 
local, or Tribal governments. This action does not impose any 
enforceable duties on these entities. Accordingly, the requirements of 
section 1(a) of Executive Order 12875 do not apply to this action.

C. Executive Order 13084

    Under Executive Order 13084, entitled ``Consultation and 
Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments'' (63 FR 27655, May 19, 
1998), EPA may not issue a regulation that is not required by statute, 
that significantly or uniquely affects the communities of Indian tribal 
governments, and that imposes substantial direct compliance costs on 
those communities, unless the Federal government provides the funds 
necessary to pay the direct compliance costs incurred by the Tribal 
governments. If the mandate is unfunded, EPA must provide OMB, in a 
separately identified section of the preamble to the rule, a 
description of the extent of EPA's prior consultation with 
representatives of affected Tribal governments, a summary of the nature 
of their concerns, and a statement supporting the need to issue the 
regulation. In addition, Executive Order 13084 requires EPA to develop 
an effective process permitting elected and other representatives of 
Indian tribal governments ``to provide meaningful and timely input in 
the development of regulatory policies on matters that significantly or 
uniquely affect their communities.'' Today's action does not 
significantly or uniquely affect the communities of Indian tribal 
governments. This action does not involve or impose any requirements 
that affect Indian Tribes. Accordingly, the requirements of section 
3(b) of Executive Order 13084 do not apply to this action.

List of Subjects

    Environmental protection, Hazardous substances, Lead, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: August 26, 1999.
Jack W. McGraw,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region VIII.

[FR Doc. 99-23195 Filed 9-3-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F