[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 3, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50332-50334]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-24068]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 261

[FRN-7066-2]
RIN 2050-AE07


Correction to the Hazardous Waste Identification Rule (HWIR): 
Revisions to the Mixture and Derived-From Rules; Direct Final Rule

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Direct final rule.

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SUMMARY: EPA is taking direct final action on two clarifying revisions 
to the mixture rule. The first revision reinserts certain exemptions to 
the mixture rule which were inadvertently deleted. The second revision 
clarifies that mixtures consisting of certain excluded wastes (commonly 
referred to as Bevill wastes) and listed hazardous wastes that have 
been listed solely for the characteristic of ignitability, corrosivity, 
and/or reactivity, are exempt once the characteristic for which the 
hazardous waste was listed has been removed.

DATES: This rule is effective on December 3, 2001, without further 
notice, unless EPA receives adverse comment by November 2, 2001. If we 
receive such comment, we will publish a timely withdrawal in the 
Federal Register informing the public that this rule will not take 
effect.

ADDRESSES: Please send an original and two copies of your comments 
referencing Docket number F-2001-WH3P-FFFFF to (1) if using regular 
U.S. Postal Service mail: RCRA Docket Information Center, Office of 
Solid Waste (5305W), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Headquarters 
(EPA, HQ),1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20460-0002, or 
(2) if using special delivery, such as overnight express service: RCRA 
Docket Information Center (RIC), Crystal Gateway One, 1235 Jefferson 
Davis Highway, First Floor, Arlington, Virginia 22202. To reduce paper 
use, we are asking you to send one paper copy, and one electronic copy 
by diskette or Internet email. In this case, send your comments to the 
RCRA Information Center on labeled personal computer diskettes in ASCII 
(TEXT) format or a word processing format we can convert to ASCII 
(TEXT). Please include on the disk label the name, version, and edition 
of your word processing software as well as your name and docket number 
F-2001-WH3P-FFFFF. Protect your diskette by putting it in a protective 
mailing envelope. To send a copy by Internet email, address it to: 
[email protected]. Make sure this electronic copy is in an 
ASCII format that doesn't use special characters or encryption. Cite 
the docket Number F-2001-WH3P-FFFFF in your electronic file.
    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 Docket Identification 
Number is F-2001-WH3F-FFFFF. 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. 
The index and some supporting materials are available electronically.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information, contact the 
RCRA Call Center at 800-424-9346 or TDD 800-553-7672 (hearing 
impaired). In the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, call 703-412-9810 
or TDD 703-412-3323.
    For more detailed information on specific aspects of this 
rulemaking, contact Tracy Atagi, Office of Solid Waste 5304W, U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, 
Washington, DC 20460-0002, 703-308-8672, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 16, 2001, EPA published a final rule, 
Hazardous Waste Identification Rule (HWIR): Revisions to the Mixture 
and Derived-From Rules (66 FR 27266). In that rulemaking, EPA revised 
40 CFR 261.3 by removing paragraph (a)(2)(iii), revising the 
introductory language to paragraph (a)(2)(iv) and adding new paragraphs 
(g) and (h). New paragraph (g) contains a revised version of the 
exemption formerly in (a)(2)(iii). In making theses change, EPA 
inadvertently deleted a reference in 40 CFR 261.3(a)(2)(iii) to the 
eligibility for this exemption of mixtures of wastes excluded from 40 
CFR 261.4(b)(7) (commonly referred to as the Bevill exclusion), and 
also inadvertently deleted subparagraphs A-G of 40 CFR 261.3(a)(2)(iv), 
which refer to several other exemptions to the mixture rule.
    In making these revisions to the mixture and derived-from rules, 
EPA did not intend to remove the ``Bevill mixtures'' or other mixtures 
referenced in the exemptions from eligibility for exemption under the 
revised mixture rule. To clarify this point, EPA is reinstating the 
deleted subparagraphs to 40 CFR 261.3(a)(2)(iv) and is revising 40 CFR 
261.3(g), explicitly stating that the Bevill mixtures are eligible for 
the revised exemption if the waste no longer exhibits the 
characteristic for which the listed hazardous waste portion of the 
mixture was listed. The purpose of this revision is to prevent possible 
future regulatory confusion on the status of these ``Bevill mixtures'' 
and will not change their current regulatory status under the mixture 
rule.
    EPA is publishing this rule without prior proposal because we view 
this as a noncontroversial amendment and anticipate no adverse comment. 
However, in the ``Proposed Rules'' section of today's Federal Register 
publication, we are publishing a separate document that will serve as 
the proposal to revise the mixture and derived-from rules if adverse 
comments are filed. This rule will be effective on December 3, 2001, 
without further notice unless we receive adverse comment by November 2, 
2001. If EPA receives adverse comment, we will publish a timely 
withdrawal in the Federal Register informing the public that the rule 
will not take effect. We will address all public comments in a 
subsequent final rule based on the proposed rule. We will not institute 
a second comment period on this action. Any parties interested in 
commenting must do so at this time.

Administrative Requirements

    Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), this 
action is not a ``significant regulatory action'' and is therefore not 
subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget. Because the 
purpose of today's action is to make a clarification that will not 
change the current regulatory status quo, it has no economic impact and 
is not subject to the regulatory flexibility provisions of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), or to sections 202 
and 205 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (Pub. L. 
104-4). In addition, this action does not significantly or uniquely 
affect small governments or impose a significant intergovernmental 
mandate, as described in sections 203 and 204 of UMRA. This rule also 
does not have

[[Page 50333]]

tribal implications, as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 
67249, November 6, 2000). This rule will not have substantial direct 
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government, as specified 
in Executive Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999). This rule also 
is not subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997), 
because it is not economically significant.
    This action does not involve technical standards; thus, the 
requirements of section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and 
Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) do not apply. The rule 
also does not involve special consideration of environmental justice 
related issues as required by Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, 
February 16, 1994). In issuing this rule, EPA has taken the necessary 
steps to eliminate drafting errors and ambiguity, minimize potential 
litigation, and provide a clear legal standard for affected conduct, as 
required by section 3 of Executive Order 12988 (61 FR 4729, February 7, 
1996). This rule does not impose an information collection burden under 
the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 
et seq.). This rule is not subject to Executive Order 13211, ``Actions 
Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 
Distribution, or Use'' (66 FR 28355 (May 22, 2001)) because it is not a 
significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866.
    The Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), as added by 
the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, 
generally provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency 
promulgating the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy 
of the rule, to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller 
General of the United States. EPA will submit 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 United States 
prior to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. This action 
is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2). This rule is 
effective on December 3, 2001, unless EPA receives adverse comment by 
November 2, 2001. If we receive such comment, we will publish a timely 
withdrawal in the Federal Register informing the public that this rule 
will not take effect.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 261

    Environmental protection, Hazardous waste, Recycling, Waste 
treatment and disposal.

    Dated: September 20, 2001.
Christine Todd Whitman,
Administrator.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, title 40, chapter I of the 
Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:

PART 261--IDENTIFICATION AND LISTING OF HAZARDOUS WASTE

    1. The authority citation for part 261 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6905, 6912(a), 6921, 6922, 6924(y), and 
6938.

    2. Section 261.3 is amended by revising paragraph (a)(2)(iv) and 
adding paragraph (g)(4) to read as follows:


Sec. 261.3  Definition of hazardous waste.

    (a) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (iv) It is a mixture of solid waste and one or more hazardous 
wastes listed in subpart D of this part and has not been excluded from 
paragraph (a)(2) of this section under Secs. 260.20 and 260.22, 
paragraph (g) of this section, or paragraph (h) of this section; 
however, the following mixtures of solid wastes and hazardous wastes 
listed in subpart D of this part are not hazardous wastes (except by 
application of paragraph (a)(2)(i) or (ii) of this section) if the 
generator can demonstrate that the mixture consists of wastewater the 
discharge of which is subject to regulation under either section 402 or 
section 307(b) of the Clean Water Act (including wastewater at 
facilities which have eliminated the discharge of wastewater) and;
    (A) One or more of the following solvents listed in Sec. 261.31--
carbon tetrachloride, tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene--Provided, 
That the maximum total weekly usage of these solvents (other than the 
amounts that can be demonstrated not to be discharged to wastewater) 
divided by the average weekly flow of wastewater into the headworks of 
the facility's wastewater treatment or pretreatment system does not 
exceed 1 part per million; or
    (B) One or more of the following spent solvents listed in 
Sec. 261.31--methylene chloride, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, chlorobenzene, 
o-dichlorobenzene, cresols, cresylic acid, nitrobenzene, toluene, 
methyl ethyl ketone, carbon disulfide, isobutanol, pyridine, spent 
chlorofluorocarbon solvents--provided that the maximum total weekly 
usage of these solvents (other than the amounts that can be 
demonstrated not to be discharged to wastewater) divided by the average 
weekly flow of wastewater into the headworks of the facility's 
wastewater treatment or pretreatment system does not exceed 25 parts 
per million; or
    (C) One of the following wastes listed in Sec. 261.32, provided 
that the wastes are discharged to the refinery oil recovery sewer 
before primary oil/water/solids separation--heat exchanger bundle 
cleaning sludge from the petroleum refining industry (EPA Hazardous 
Waste No. K050), crude oil storage tank sediment from petroleum 
refining operations (EPA Hazardous Waste No. K169), clarified slurry 
oil tank sediment and/or in-line filter/separation solids from 
petroleum refining operations (EPA Hazardous Waste No. K170), spent 
hydrotreating catalyst(EPA Hazardous Waste No. K171), and spent 
hydrorefining catalyst (EPA Hazardous Waste No. K172); or
    (D) A discarded commercial chemical product, or chemical 
intermediate listed in Sec. 261.33, arising from de minimis losses of 
these materials from manufacturing operations in which these materials 
are used as raw materials or are produced in the manufacturing process. 
For purposes of this paragraph (a)(2)(iv)(D), ``de minimis'' losses 
include those from normal material handling operations (e.g., spills 
from the unloading or transfer of materials from bins or other 
containers, leaks from pipes, valves or other devices used to transfer 
materials); minor leaks of process equipment, storage tanks or 
containers; leaks from well maintained pump packings and seals; sample 
purgings; relief device discharges; discharges from safety showers and 
rinsing and cleaning of personal safety equipment; and rinsate from 
empty containers or from containers that are rendered empty by that 
rinsing; or
    (E) Wastewater resulting from laboratory operations containing 
toxic (T) wastes listed in subpart D of this part, Provided, That the 
annualized average flow of laboratory wastewater does not exceed one 
percent of total wastewater flow into the headworks of the facility's 
wastewater treatment or pre-treatment system or provided the wastes, 
combined annualized average concentration does not exceed one part per 
million in the headworks of the facility's wastewater treatment or pre-
treatment facility. Toxic (T) wastes used in laboratories that are 
demonstrated not to be discharged to wastewater are not to be included 
in this calculation; or

[[Page 50334]]

    (F) One or more of the following wastes listed in Sec. 261.32--
wastewaters from the production of carbamates and carbamoyl oximes (EPA 
Hazardous Waste No. K157)--Provided that the maximum weekly usage of 
formaldehyde, methyl chloride, methylene chloride, and triethylamine 
(including all amounts that can not be demonstrated to be reacted in 
the process, destroyed through treatment, or is recovered, i.e., what 
is discharged or volatilized) divided by the average weekly flow of 
process wastewater prior to any dilutions into the headworks of the 
facility's wastewater treatment system does not exceed a total of 5 
parts per million by weight; or
    (G) Wastewaters derived from the treatment of one or more of the 
following wastes listed in Sec. 261.32--organic waste (including heavy 
ends, still bottoms, light ends, spent solvents, filtrates, and 
decantates) from the production of carbamates and carbamoyl oximes (EPA 
Hazardous Waste No. K156).--Provided, that the maximum concentration of 
formaldehyde, methyl chloride, methylene chloride, and triethylamine 
prior to any dilutions into the headworks of the facility's wastewater 
treatment system does not exceed a total of 5 milligrams per liter.
* * * * *
    (g) * * *
    (4) any mixture of a solid waste excluded from regulation under 
Sec. 261.4(b)(7) and a hazardous waste listed in subpart D of this part 
solely because it exhibits one or more of the characteristics of 
ignitability, corrosivity, or reactivity as regulated under paragraph 
(a)(2)(iv) of this section is not a hazardous waste, if the mixture no 
longer exhibits any characteristic of hazardous waste identified in 
subpart C of this part for which the hazardous waste listed in subpart 
D of this part was listed.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 01-24068 Filed 10-2-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-U