[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 188 (Monday, September 29, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55875-55882]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-24406]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 300

[FRL-7563-8]


National Priorities List for Uncontrolled Hazardous Waste Sites

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
Liability Act of 1980 (``CERCLA'' or ``the Act''), as amended, requires 
that the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency 
Plan (``NCP'') include a list of national priorities among the known 
releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, or 
contaminants throughout the United States. The National Priorities List 
(``NPL'') constitutes this list. The NPL is intended primarily to guide 
the Environmental Protection Agency (``EPA'' or ``the Agency'') in 
determining which sites warrant further investigation. These further 
investigations will allow EPA to assess the nature and extent of public 
health and environmental risks associated with the site and to 
determine what CERCLA-financed remedial action(s), if any, may be 
appropriate. This rule adds 12 new sites to the NPL; all to the General 
Superfund Section of the NPL.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date for this amendment to the NCP shall 
be October 29, 2003.

ADDRESSES: For addresses for the Headquarters and Regional dockets, as 
well as further details on what these dockets contain, see section II, 
``Availability of Information to the Public'' in the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION portion of this preamble.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Yolanda Singer, phone (703) 603-8835, 
State, Tribal and Site Identification Center; Office of Emergency and 
Remedial Response (mail code 5204G); U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency; 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460; or the 
Superfund Hotline, phone (800) 424-9346 or (703) 412-9810 in the 
Washington, DC, metropolitan area.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Background
    A. What are CERCLA and SARA?
    B. What is the NCP?
    C. What is the National Priorities List (NPL)?
    D. How are Sites Listed on the NPL?
    E. What Happens to Sites on the NPL?
    F. How are Site Boundaries Defined?
    G. How are Sites Removed from the NPL?
    H. Can Portions of Sites be Deleted from the NPL as They Are 
Cleaned Up?
    I. What is the Construction Completion List (CCL)?
II. Availability of Information to the Public
    A. Can I Review the Documents Relevant to this Final Rule?
    B. What Documents are Available for Review at the Headquarters 
Docket?
    C. What Documents are Available for Review at the Regional 
Dockets?
    D. How Do I Access the Documents?
    E. How Can I Obtain a Current List of NPL Sites?
III. Contents of This Final Rule
    A. Additions to the NPL
    B. Status of NPL
    C. What did EPA Do with the Public Comments It Received?
IV. Executive Order 12866
    A. What is Executive Order 12866?
    B. Is this Final Rule Subject to Executive Order 12866 Review?
V. Unfunded Mandates
    A. What is the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)?
    B. Does UMRA Apply to This Final Rule?
VI. Effects on Small Businesses
    A. What is the Regulatory Flexibility Act?
    B. How Has EPA Complied with the Regulatory Flexibility Act?
VII. Possible Changes to the Effective Date of the Rule
    A. Has This Rule Been Submitted to Congress and the General 
Accounting Office?
    B. Could the Effective Date of This Final Rule Change?
    C. What Could Cause the Effective Date of This Rule to Change?
VIII. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act
    A. What is the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act?
    B. Does the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act 
Apply to this Final Rule?
IX. Executive Order 12898
    A. What is Executive Order 12898?
    B. Does Executive Order 12898 Apply to This Final Rule?
X. Executive Order 13045
    A. What is Executive Order 13045?
    B. Does Executive Order 13045 Apply to This Final Rule?
XI. Paperwork Reduction Act
    A. What is the Paperwork Reduction Act?
    B. Does the Paperwork Reduction Act Apply to This Final Rule?
XII. Executive Orders on Federalism
    What Are The Executive Orders on Federalism and Are They 
Applicable to This Final Rule?
XIII. Executive Order 13084
    What is Executive Order 13084 and Is It Applicable to this Final 
Rule?
XIV. Executive Order 13175
    A. What is Executive Order 13175?
    B. Does Executive Order 13175 Apply to This Final Rule?
XV. Executive Order 13211
    A. What is Executive Order 13211?
    B. Is this Rule Subject to Executive Order 13211?

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I. Background

A. What Are CERCLA and SARA?

    In 1980, Congress enacted the Comprehensive Environmental Response, 
Compensation, and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. 9601-9675 (``CERCLA'' or 
``the Act''), in response to the dangers of uncontrolled releases of 
hazardous substances. CERCLA was amended on October 17, 1986, by the 
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (``SARA''), Public Law 99-
499, 100 Stat. 1613 et seq.

B. What Is the NCP?

    To implement CERCLA, EPA promulgated the revised National Oil and 
Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (``NCP''), 40 CFR part 
300, on July 16, 1982 (47 FR 31180), pursuant to CERCLA section 105 and 
Executive Order 12316 (46 FR 42237, August 20, 1981). The NCP sets 
guidelines and procedures for responding to releases and threatened 
releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants under 
CERCLA. EPA has revised the NCP on several occasions. The most recent 
comprehensive revision was on March 8, 1990 (55 FR 8666).
    As required under section 105(a)(8)(A) of CERCLA, the NCP also 
includes ``criteria for determining priorities among releases or 
threatened releases throughout the United States for the purpose of 
taking remedial action and, to the extent practicable, taking into 
account the potential urgency of such action for the purpose of taking 
removal action.'' (``Removal'' actions are defined broadly and include 
a wide range of actions taken to study, clean up, prevent or otherwise 
address releases and threatened releases 42 U.S.C. 9601(23).)

C. What Is the National Priorities List (NPL)?

    The NPL is a list of national priorities among the known or 
threatened releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, or 
contaminants throughout the United States. The list, which is appendix 
B of the NCP (40 CFR part 300), was required under section 105(a)(8)(B) 
of CERCLA, as amended by SARA. Section 105(a)(8)(B) defines the NPL as 
a list of ``releases'' and the highest priority ``facilities'' and 
requires that the NPL be revised at least annually. The NPL is intended 
primarily to guide EPA in determining which sites warrant further 
investigation to assess the nature and extent of public health and 
environmental risks associated with a release of hazardous substances. 
The NPL is only of limited significance, however, as it does not assign 
liability to any party or to the owner of any specific property. 
Neither does placing a site on the NPL mean that any remedial or 
removal action necessarily need be taken.
    For purposes of listing, the NPL includes two sections, one of 
sites that are generally evaluated and cleaned up by EPA (the ``General 
Superfund Section''), and one of sites that are owned or operated by 
other Federal agencies (the ``Federal Facilities Section''). With 
respect to sites in the Federal Facilities Section, these sites are 
generally being addressed by other Federal agencies. Under Executive 
Order 12580 (52 FR 2923, January 29, 1987) and CERCLA section 120, each 
Federal agency is responsible for carrying out most response actions at 
facilities under its own jurisdiction, custody, or control, although 
EPA is responsible for preparing an HRS score and determining whether 
the facility is placed on the NPL. EPA generally is not the lead agency 
at Federal Facilities Section sites, and its role at such sites is 
accordingly less extensive than at other sites.

D. How Are Sites Listed on the NPL?

    There are three mechanisms for placing sites on the NPL for 
possible remedial action (see 40 CFR 300.425(c) of the NCP): (1) A site 
may be included on the NPL if it scores sufficiently high on the Hazard 
Ranking System (``HRS''), which EPA promulgated as appendix A of the 
NCP (40 CFR part 300). The HRS serves as a screening device to evaluate 
the relative potential of uncontrolled hazardous substances to pose a 
threat to human health or the environment. On December 14, 1990 (55 FR 
51532), EPA promulgated revisions to the HRS partly in response to 
CERCLA section 105(c), added by SARA. The revised HRS evaluates four 
pathways: Ground water, surface water, soil exposure, and air. As a 
matter of Agency policy, those sites that score 28.50 or greater on the 
HRS are eligible for the NPL; (2) Each State may designate a single 
site as its top priority to be listed on the NPL, regardless of the HRS 
score. This mechanism, provided by the NCP at 40 CFR300.425(c)(2) 
requires that, to the extent practicable, the NPL include within the 
100 highest priorities, one facility designated by each State 
representing the greatest danger to public health, welfare, or the 
environment among known facilities in the State (see 42 U.S.C. 
9605(a)(8)(B)); (3) The third mechanism for listing, included in the 
NCP at 40 CFR 300.425(c)(3), allows certain sites to be listed 
regardless of their HRS score, if all of the following conditions are 
met:
    [sbull] The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 
(ATSDR) of the U.S. Public Health Service has issued a health advisory 
that recommends dissociation of individuals from the release.
    [sbull] EPA determines that the release poses a significant threat 
to public health.
    [sbull] EPA anticipates that it will be more cost-effective to use 
its remedial authority than to use its removal authority to respond to 
the release.
    EPA promulgated an original NPL of 406 sites on September 8, 1983 
(48 FR 40658). The NPL has been expanded since then, most recently on 
April 30, 2003 (68 FR 23077).

E. What Happens to Sites on the NPL?

    A site may undergo remedial action financed by the Trust Fund 
established under CERCLA (commonly referred to as the ``Superfund'') 
only after it is placed on the NPL, as provided in the NCP at 40 CFR 
300.425(b)(1). (``Remedial actions'' are those ``consistent with 
permanent remedy, taken instead of or in addition to removal actions * 
* *.'' 42 U.S.C. 9601(24).) However, under 40 CFR 300.425(b)(2) placing 
a site on the NPL ``does not imply that monies will be expended.'' EPA 
may pursue other appropriate authorities to respond to the releases, 
including enforcement action under CERCLA and other laws.

F. How Are Site Boundaries Defined?

    The NPL does not describe releases in precise geographical terms; 
it would be neither feasible nor consistent with the limited purpose of 
the NPL (to identify releases that are priorities for further 
evaluation), for it to do so.
    Although a CERCLA ``facility'' is broadly defined to include any 
area where a hazardous substance release has ``come to be located'' 
(CERCLA section 101(9)), the listing process itself is not intended to 
define or reflect the boundaries of such facilities or releases. Of 
course, HRS data (if the HRS is used to list a site) upon which the NPL 
placement was based will, to some extent, describe the release(s) at 
issue. That is, the NPL site would include all releases evaluated as 
part of that HRS analysis.
    When a site is listed, the approach generally used to describe the 
relevant release(s) is to delineate a geographical area (usually the 
area within an installation or plant boundaries) and identify the site 
by reference to that area. As a legal matter, the site is not 
coextensive with that area, and the

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boundaries of the installation or plant are not the ``boundaries'' of 
the site. Rather, the site consists of all contaminated areas within 
the area used to identify the site, as well as any other location to 
which that contamination has come to be located, or from which that 
contamination came.
    In other words, while geographic terms are often used to designate 
the site (e.g., the ``Jones Co. plant site'') in terms of the property 
owned by a particular party, the site properly understood is not 
limited to that property (e.g., it may extend beyond the property due 
to contaminant migration), and conversely may not occupy the full 
extent of the property (e.g., where there are uncontaminated parts of 
the identified property, they may not be, strictly speaking, part of 
the ``site''). The ``site'' is thus neither equal to nor confined by 
the boundaries of any specific property that may give the site its 
name, and the name itself should not be read to imply that this site is 
coextensive with the entire area within the property boundary of the 
installation or plant. The precise nature and extent of the site are 
typically not known at the time of listing. Also, the site name is 
merely used to help identify the geographic location of the 
contamination. For example, the name ``Jones Co. plant site,'' does not 
imply that the Jones company is responsible for the contamination 
located on the plant site.
    EPA regulations provide that the ``nature and extent of the problem 
presented by the release'' will be determined by a remedial 
investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS) as more information is 
developed on site contamination (40 CFR 300.5). During the RI/FS 
process, the release may be found to be larger or smaller than was 
originally thought, as more is learned about the source(s) and the 
migration of the contamination. However, this inquiry focuses on an 
evaluation of the threat posed; the boundaries of the release need not 
be exactly defined. Moreover, it generally is impossible to discover 
the full extent of where the contamination ``has come to be located'' 
before all necessary studies and remedial work are completed at a site. 
Indeed, the known boundaries of the contamination can be expected to 
change over time. Thus, in most cases, it may be impossible to describe 
the boundaries of a release with absolute certainty.
    Further, as noted above, NPL listing does not assign liability to 
any party or to the owner of any specific property. Thus, if a party 
does not believe it is liable for releases on discrete parcels of 
property, supporting information can be submitted to the Agency at any 
time after a party receives notice it is a potentially responsible 
party.
    For these reasons, the NPL need not be amended as further research 
reveals more information about the location of the contamination or 
release.

G. How Are Sites Removed From the NPL?

    EPA may delete sites from the NPL where no further response is 
appropriate under Superfund, as explained in the NCP at 40 CFR 
300.425(e). This section also provides that EPA shall consult with 
states on proposed deletions and shall consider whether any of the 
following criteria have been met:

    (i) Responsible parties or other persons have implemented all 
appropriate response actions required;
    (ii) All appropriate Superfund-financed response has been 
implemented and no further response action is required; or
    (iii) The remedial investigation has shown the release poses no 
significant threat to public health or the environment, and taking 
of remedial measures is not appropriate.

As of September 10, 2003, the Agency has deleted 273 sites from the 
NPL.

H. Can Portions of Sites Be Deleted From the NPL as They Are Cleaned 
Up?

    In November 1995, EPA initiated a new policy to delete portions of 
NPL sites where cleanup is complete (60 FR 55465, November 1, 1995). 
Total site cleanup may take many years, while portions of the site may 
have been cleaned up and available for productive use. As of September 
10, 2003, EPA has deleted 39 portions of 35 sites.

I. What Is the Construction Completion List (CCL)?

    EPA also has developed an NPL construction completion list 
(``CCL'') to simplify its system of categorizing sites and to better 
communicate the successful completion of cleanup activities (58 FR 
12142, March 2, 1993). Inclusion of a site on the CCL has no legal 
significance.
    Sites qualify for the CCL when: (1) Any necessary physical 
construction is complete, whether or not final cleanup levels or other 
requirements have been achieved; (2) EPA has determined that the 
response action should be limited to measures that do not involve 
construction (e.g., institutional controls); or (3) the site qualifies 
for deletion from the NPL.
    As of September 10, 2003, there are a total of 860 sites on the 
CCL. For the most up-to-date information on the CCL, see EPA's Internet 
site at http://www.epa.gov/superfund.

II. Availability of Information to the Public

A. Can I Review the Documents Relevant to This Final Rule?

    Yes, documents relating to the evaluation and scoring of the sites 
in this final rule are contained in dockets located both at EPA 
Headquarters and in the Regional offices.
    An electronic version of the public docket is available through 
EPA's electronic public docket and comment system, EPA Dockets. You may 
use EPA Dockets at http://www.epa.gov/edocket/ to view public comments, 
access the index listing of the contents of the official public docket, 
and to access those documents in the public docket that are available 
electronically. Once in the system, select ``Quick Search,'' then key 
in the appropriate docket identification number; SFUND-2003-0009. 
(Although not all docket materials may be available electronically, you 
may still access any of the publicly available docket materials through 
the docket facilities identified below in section II D.)

B. What Documents Are Available for Review at the Headquarters Docket?

    The Headquarters docket for this rule contains, for each site, the 
HRS score sheets, the Documentation Record describing the information 
used to compute the score, pertinent information regarding statutory 
requirements or EPA listing policies that affect the site, and a list 
of documents referenced in the Documentation Record. The Headquarters 
docket also contains comments received, and the Agency's responses to 
those comments. The Agency's responses are contained in the ``Support 
Document for the Revised National Priorities List Final Rule--September 
2003.'' This document is also posted on EPA's Internet site at http://www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/npl/current.htm.

C. What Documents Are Available for Review at the Regional Dockets?

    The Regional dockets contain all the information in the 
Headquarters docket, plus the actual reference documents containing the 
data principally relied upon by EPA in calculating or evaluating the 
HRS score for the sites located in their Region. These reference 
documents are available only in the Regional dockets.

D. How Do I Access the Documents?

    You may view the documents, by appointment only, after the 
publication of this document. The hours of operation for the 
Headquarters docket

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are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding Federal 
holidays. Please contact the Regional dockets for hours.
    Following is the contact information for the EPA Headquarters: 
Docket Coordinator, Headquarters; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; 
CERCLA Docket Office; 1301 Constitution Avenue; EPA West, Room B102, 
Washington, DC 20004, 202/566-0276.
    The contact information for the Regional dockets is as follows:

    Ellen Culhane, Region 1 (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT), U.S. EPA, 
Superfund Records Center, Mailcode HSC, One Congress Street, Suite 
1100, Boston, MA 02114-2023; 617/918-1225.
    Dennis Munhall, Region 2 (NJ, NY, PR, VI), U.S. EPA, 290 
Broadway, New York, NY 10007-1866; 212/637-4343.
    Dawn Shellenberger (ASRC), Region 3 (DE, DC, MD, PA, VA, WV), 
U.S. EPA, Library, 1650 Arch Street, Mailcode 3PM52, Philadelphia, 
PA 19103; 215/814-5364.
    James R. Wade, Region 4 (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN), U.S. 
EPA, 61 Forsyth Street, SW, 9th floor, Atlanta, GA 30303; 404/562-
8127.
    Janet Pfundheller, Region 5 (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI), U.S. EPA, 
Records Center, Waste Management Division 7-J, Metcalfe Federal 
Building, 77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60604; 312/886-
7570.
    Brenda Cook, Region 6 (AR, LA, NM, OK, TX), U.S. EPA, 1445 Ross 
Avenue, Mailcode 6SF-RA, Dallas, TX 75202-2733; 214/665-7436.
    Michelle Quick, Region 7 (IA, KS, MO, NE), U.S. EPA, 901 North 
5th Street, Kansas City, KS 66101; 913/551-7335.
    David Williams, Region 8 (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY), U.S. EPA, 999 
18th Street, Suite 500, Mailcode 8EPR-SA, Denver, CO 80202-2466; 
303/312-6757.
    Jerelean Johnson, Region 9 (AZ, CA, HI, NV, AS, GU), U.S. EPA, 
75 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, CA 94105; 415/972-3094.
    Tara Martich, Region 10 (AK, ID, OR, WA), U.S. EPA, 1200 6th 
Avenue, Mail Stop ECL-115, Seattle, WA 98101; 206/553-0039.

E. How Can I Obtain a Current List of NPL Sites?

    You may obtain a current list of NPL sites via the Internet at 
http://www.epa.gov/superfund/ (look under the Superfund sites category) 
or by contacting the Superfund Docket (see contact information above).

III. Contents of This Final Rule

A. Additions to the NPL

    This final rule adds 12 sites to the NPL; all to the General 
Superfund Section of the NPL. Table 1 presents the 12 sites in the 
General Superfund Section. Sites in the tables are arranged 
alphabetically by State.

                    Table 1.--National Priorities List Final Rule, General Superfund Section
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  State                              Site name                         City/county
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA.......................................  AMCO Chemical...............  Oakland
CO.......................................  Captain Jack Mill...........  Ward
IL.......................................  Matthiessen and Hegeler Zinc  LaSalle
                                            Company.
MO.......................................  Madison County Mines........  Fredericktown
MO.......................................  Newton County Mine Tailings.  Newton County
NC.......................................  Ram Leather Care............  Charlotte
NH.......................................  Troy Mills Landfill.........  Troy
NJ.......................................  Rolling Knolls Landfill.....  Chatham Township
OH.......................................  Lammers Barrel..............  Beavercreek
OR.......................................  Harbor Oil..................  Portland
TX.......................................  Conroe Creosoting Company...  Conroe
TX.......................................  Jones Road Ground Water       Harris County
                                            Plume.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Number of Sites Added to the General Superfund Section: 12.

B. Status of NPL

    With the 12 new sites added to the NPL in today's final rule; the 
NPL now contains 1,245 final sites; 1,087 in the General Superfund 
Section and 158 in the Federal Facilities Section. In addition, there 
are 54 sites proposed and awaiting final agency action, 48 in the 
General Superfund Section and 6 in the Federal Facilities Section. 
Final and proposed sites now total 1,299. (These numbers reflect the 
status of sites as of September 10, 2003. Site deletions occurring 
after this date may affect these numbers at time of publication in the 
Federal Register.)

C. What Did EPA Do With the Public Comments It Received?

    EPA reviewed all comments received on the sites in this rule. The 
Matthiessen and Hegeler Zinc Company site was proposed on June 14, 2001 
(66 FR 32287). The Lammers Barrel and Harbor Oil sites were proposed on 
September 5, 2002 (67 FR 56794). All remaining sites were proposed on 
April 30, 2003 (68 FR 23094).
    EPA responded to all relevant comments received on the following 
sites: Matthiessen and Hegeler Zinc, Lammers Barrel, Harbor Oil, 
Madison County Mines, and Jones Road Ground Water Plume sites. EPA's 
responses to site-specific public comments are addressed in the 
``Support Document for the Revised National Priorities List Final 
Rule--September 2003.''
    EPA received comments on the AMCO Chemical site that relate to 
suggested cleanup approaches and community involvement at the site, 
rather than the underlying basis for the NPL listing and therefore are 
not included or addressed in the ``Support Document for the Revised 
National Priorities List Final Rule--September 2003.'' EPA Region 9 
will work with the commenters on their concerns.
    For the remaining sites, EPA received no comments or only comments 
supporting the listing of the sites to the NPL and therefore, EPA is 
placing them on the final NPL at this time.

IV. Executive Order 12866

A. What Is Executive Order 12866?

    Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735 (October 4, 1993)), the 
Agency must determine whether a regulatory action is ``significant'' 
and therefore subject to OMB review and the requirements of the 
Executive Order. The Order defines ``significant regulatory action'' as 
one that is likely to result in a rule that may: (1) Have an annual 
effect on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect in a 
material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, 
competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, 
local, or tribal governments or communities; (2) create a serious 
inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by 
another agency; (3) materially alter the budgetary impact of 
entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights and 
obligations of

[[Page 55879]]

recipients thereof; or (4) raise novel legal or policy issues arising 
out of legal mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles 
set forth in the Executive Order.

B. Is This Final Rule Subject to Executive Order 12866 Review?

    No. The listing of sites on the NPL does not impose any obligations 
on any entities. The listing does not set standards or a regulatory 
regime and imposes no liability or costs. Any liability under CERCLA 
exists irrespective of whether a site is listed. It has been determined 
that this action is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under the 
terms of Executive Order 12866 and is therefore not subject to OMB 
review.

V. Unfunded Mandates

A. What Is the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)?

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), Public 
Law 104-4, establishes requirements for Federal Agencies to assess the 
effects of their regulatory actions on State, local, and tribal 
governments and the private sector. Under section 202 of the UMRA, EPA 
generally must prepare a written statement, including a cost-benefit 
analysis, for proposed and final rules with ``Federal mandates'' that 
may result in expenditures by State, local, and tribal governments, in 
the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any 
one year. Before EPA promulgates a rule for which a written statement 
is needed, section 205 of the UMRA generally requires EPA to identify 
and consider a reasonable number of regulatory alternatives and adopt 
the least costly, most cost-effective, or least burdensome alternative 
that achieves the objectives of the rule. The provisions of section 205 
do not apply when they are inconsistent with applicable law. Moreover, 
section 205 allows EPA to adopt an alternative other than the least 
costly, most cost-effective, or least burdensome alternative if the 
Administrator publishes with the final rule an explanation why that 
alternative was not adopted. Before EPA establishes any regulatory 
requirements that may significantly or uniquely affect small 
governments, including tribal governments, it must have developed under 
section 203 of the UMRA a small government agency plan. The plan must 
provide for notifying potentially affected small governments, enabling 
officials of affected small governments to have meaningful and timely 
input in the development of EPA regulatory proposals with significant 
Federal intergovernmental mandates, and informing, educating, and 
advising small governments on compliance with the regulatory 
requirements.

B. Does UMRA Apply to This Final Rule?

    No, EPA has determined that this rule does not contain a Federal 
mandate that may result in expenditures of $100 million or more for 
State, local, and tribal governments in the aggregate, or by the 
private sector in any one year. This rule will not impose any federal 
intergovernmental mandate because it imposes no enforceable duty upon 
State, tribal or local governments. Listing a site on the NPL does not 
itself impose any costs. Listing does not mean that EPA necessarily 
will undertake remedial action. Nor does listing require any action by 
a private party or determine liability for response costs. Costs that 
arise out of site responses result from site-specific decisions 
regarding what actions to take, not directly from the act of listing a 
site on the NPL.
    For the same reasons, EPA also has determined that this rule 
contains no regulatory requirements that might significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments. In addition, as discussed above, the 
private sector is not expected to incur costs exceeding $100 million. 
EPA has fulfilled the requirement for analysis under the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act.

VI. Effect on Small Businesses

A. What Is the Regulatory Flexibility Act?

    Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., 
as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act 
(SBREFA) of 1996) whenever an agency is required to publish a notice of 
rulemaking for any proposed or final rule, it must prepare and make 
available for public comment a regulatory flexibility analysis that 
describes the effect of the rule on small entities (i.e., small 
businesses, small organizations, and small governmental jurisdictions). 
However, no regulatory flexibility analysis is required if the head of 
an agency certifies the rule will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities. SBREFA amended the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act to require Federal agencies to provide a 
statement of the factual basis for certifying that a rule will not have 
a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.

B. How Has EPA Complied With the Regulatory Flexibility Act?

    This rule listing sites on the NPL does not impose any obligations 
on any group, including small entities. This rule also does not 
establish standards or requirements that any small entity must meet, 
and imposes no direct costs on any small entity. Whether an entity, 
small or otherwise, is liable for response costs for a release of a 
hazardous substances depends on whether that entity is liable under 
CERCLA 107(a). Any such liability exists regardless of whether the site 
is listed on the NPL through this rulemaking. Thus, this rule does not 
impose any requirements on any small entities. For the foregoing 
reasons, I certify that this rule will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities.

VII. Possible Changes to the Effective Date of the Rule

A. Has This Rule Been Submitted to Congress and the General Accounting 
Office?

    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 has submitted 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. A ``major rule'' 
cannot take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal 
Register. This rule is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 
804(2).

B. Could the Effective Date of This Final Rule Change?

    Provisions of the Congressional Review Act (CRA) or section 305 of 
CERCLA may alter the effective date of this regulation.
    Under the CRA, 5 U.S.C. 801(a), before a rule can take effect the 
federal agency promulgating the rule must submit a report to each House 
of the Congress and to the Comptroller General. This report must 
contain a copy of the rule, a concise general statement relating to the 
rule (including whether it is a major rule), a copy of the cost-benefit 
analysis of the rule (if any), the agency's actions relevant to 
provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (affecting small 
businesses) and the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

[[Page 55880]]

(describing unfunded federal requirements imposed on state and local 
governments and the private sector), and any other relevant information 
or requirements and any relevant Executive Orders.
    EPA has submitted a report under the CRA for this rule. The rule 
will take effect, as provided by law, within 30 days of publication of 
this document, since it is not a major rule. Section 804(2) defines a 
major rule as any rule that the Administrator of the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) of the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) finds has resulted in or is likely to result in: an 
annual effect on the economy of $100,000,000 or more; a major increase 
in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, Federal, 
State, or local government agencies, or geographic regions; or 
significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, 
productivity, innovation, or on the ability of United States-based 
enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises in domestic and 
export markets. NPL listing is not a major rule because, as explained 
above, the listing, itself, imposes no monetary costs on any person. It 
establishes no enforceable duties, does not establish that EPA 
necessarily will undertake remedial action, nor does it require any 
action by any party or determine its liability for site response costs. 
Costs that arise out of site responses result from site-by-site 
decisions about what actions to take, not directly from the act of 
listing itself. Section 801(a)(3) provides for a delay in the effective 
date of major rules after this report is submitted.

C. What Could Cause the Effective Date of This Rule to Change?

    Under 5 U.S.C. 801(b)(1) a rule shall not take effect, or continue 
in effect, if Congress enacts (and the President signs) a joint 
resolution of disapproval, described under section 802.
    Another statutory provision that may affect this rule is CERCLA 
section 305, which provides for a legislative veto of regulations 
promulgated under CERCLA. Although INS v. Chadha, 462 U.S. 919,103 S. 
Ct. 2764 (1983) and Bd. of Regents of the University of Washington v. 
EPA, 86 F.3d 1214,1222 (D.C. Cir. 1996) cast the validity of the 
legislative veto into question, EPA has transmitted a copy of this 
regulation to the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of 
Representatives.
    If action by Congress under either the CRA or CERCLA section 305 
calls the effective date of this regulation into question, EPA will 
publish a document of clarification in the Federal Register.

VIII. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act

A. What Is the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act?

    Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement 
Act of 1995 (NTTAA), Pub. L. 104-113, section 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 
note), directs EPA to use voluntary consensus standards in its 
regulatory activities unless to do so would be inconsistent with 
applicable law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards 
are technical standards (e.g., materials specifications, test methods, 
sampling procedures, and business practices) that are developed or 
adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies. The NTTAA directs EPA 
to provide Congress, through OMB, explanations when the Agency decides 
not to use available and applicable voluntary consensus standards.

B. Does the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act Apply to 
This Final Rule?

    No. This rulemaking does not involve technical standards. 
Therefore, EPA did not consider the use of any voluntary consensus 
standards.

IX. Executive Order 12898

A. What Is Executive Order 12898?

    Under Executive Order 12898, ``Federal Actions to Address 
Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income 
Populations,'' as well as through EPA's April 1995, ``Environmental 
Justice Strategy, OSWER Environmental Justice Task Force Action Agenda 
Report,'' and National Environmental Justice Advisory Council, EPA has 
undertaken to incorporate environmental justice into its policies and 
programs. EPA is committed to addressing environmental justice 
concerns, and is assuming a leadership role in environmental justice 
initiatives to enhance environmental quality for all residents of the 
United States. The Agency's goals are to ensure that no segment of the 
population, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, 
bears disproportionately high and adverse human health and 
environmental effects as a result of EPA's policies, programs, and 
activities, and all people live in clean and sustainable communities.

B. Does Executive Order 12898 Apply to This Final Rule?

    No. While this rule revises the NPL, no action will result from 
this rule that will have disproportionately high and adverse human 
health and environmental effects on any segment of the population.

X. Executive Order 13045

A. What Is Executive Order 13045?

    Executive Order 13045: ``Protection of Children from Environmental 
Health Risks and Safety Risks'' (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997) applies 
to any rule that: (1) Is determined to be ``economically significant'' 
as defined under Executive Order 12866, and (2) concerns an 
environmental health or safety risk that EPA has reason to believe may 
have a disproportionate effect on children. If the regulatory action 
meets both criteria, the Agency must evaluate the environmental health 
or safety effects of the planned rule on children, and explain why the 
planned regulation is preferable to other potentially effective and 
reasonably feasible alternatives considered by the Agency.

B. Does Executive Order 13045 Apply to This Final Rule?

    This rule is not subject to Executive Order 13045 because it is not 
an economically significant rule as defined by Executive Order 12866, 
and because the Agency does not have reason to believe the 
environmental health or safety risks addressed by this section present 
a disproportionate risk to children.

XI. Paperwork Reduction Act

A. What Is the Paperwork Reduction Act?

    According to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et 
seq., an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to a collection of information that requires OMB 
approval under the PRA, unless it has been approved by OMB and displays 
a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's 
regulations, after initial display in the preamble of the final rules, 
are listed in 40 CFR part 9. The information collection requirements 
related to this action have already been approved by OMB pursuant to 
the PRA under OMB control number 2070-0012 (EPA ICR No. 574).

B. Does the Paperwork Reduction Act Apply to This Final Rule?

    No. EPA has determined that the PRA does not apply because this 
rule does not contain any information collection requirements that 
require approval of the OMB.

[[Page 55881]]

XII. Executive Orders on Federalism

What Are The Executive Orders on Federalism and Are They Applicable to 
This Final Rule?

    Executive Order 13132, entitled ``Federalism'' (64 FR 43255, August 
10, 1999), requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure 
``meaningful and timely input by State and local officials in the 
development of regulatory policies that have federalism implications.'' 
``Policies that have federalism implications'' is defined in the 
Executive Order to include regulations that 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.''
    Under section 6 of Executive Order 13132, EPA may not issue a 
regulation that has federalism implications, that imposes substantial 
direct compliance costs, and that is not required by statute, unless 
the Federal government provides the funds necessary to pay the direct 
compliance costs incurred by State and local governments, or EPA 
consults with State and local officials early in the process of 
developing the proposed regulation. EPA also may not issue a regulation 
that has federalism implications and that preempts State law, unless 
the Agency consults with State and local officials early in the process 
of developing the proposed regulation.
    This final rule does not have federalism implications. It 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. Thus, the requirements of 
section 6 of the Executive Order do not apply to this rule.

XIII. Executive Order 13084

What Is Executive Order 13084 and Is It Applicable to This Final Rule?

    Under Executive Order 13084, 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, or EPA consults with those 
governments. If EPA complies by consulting, Executive Order 13084 
requires EPA to provide to the Office of Management and Budget, 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 officials 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.''
    Under section 3(b) of Executive Order 13084, 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, or EPA 
consults with those governments. The addition of sites to the NPL will 
not impose any substantial direct compliance costs on Tribes. While 
Tribes may incur costs from participating in the investigations and 
cleanup decisions, those costs are not compliance costs. Accordingly, 
the requirements of section 3(b) of Executive Order 13084 do not apply 
to this final rule.

XIV. Executive Order 13175

A. What Is Executive Order 13175?

    Executive Order 13175, entitled ``Consultation and Coordination 
with Indian Tribal Governments'' (65 FR 67249, November 6, 2000), 
requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful 
and timely input by tribal officials in the development of regulatory 
policies that have tribal implications.'' ``Policies that have tribal 
implications'' is defined in the Executive Order to include regulations 
that have ``substantial direct effects on one or more Indian tribes, on 
the relationship between the Federal government and the Indian tribes, 
or on the distribution of power and responsibilities between the 
Federal government and Indian tribes.''

B. Does Executive Order 13175 Apply to This Final Rule?

    This final rule does not have tribal implications. It will not have 
substantial direct effects on tribal governments, on the relationship 
between the Federal government and Indian tribes, or on the 
distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal 
government and Indian tribes, as specified in Executive Order 13175. 
Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this final rule.

XV. Executive Order 13211

A. What is Executive Order 13211?

    Executive Order 13211, ``Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use'' (66 FR 28355 
(May 22, 2001), requires EPA to prepare and submit a Statement of 
Energy Effects to the Administrator of the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, for certain 
actions identified as ``significant energy actions.'' Section 4(b) of 
Executive Order 13211 defines ``significant energy actions'' as ``any 
action by an agency (normally published in the Federal Register) that 
promulgates or is expected to lead to the promulgation of a final rule 
or regulation, including notices of inquiry, advance notices of 
proposed rulemaking, and notices of proposed rulemaking: (1)(i) That is 
a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866 or any 
successor order, and (ii) is likely to have a significant adverse 
effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy; or (2) that is 
designated by the Administrator of the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs as a significant energy action.''

B. Is This Rule Subject to Executive Order 13211?

    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 (See 
discussion of Executive Order 12866 above.)

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 300

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Chemicals, 
Hazardous substances, hazardous waste, Intergovernmental relations, 
Natural resources, Oil pollution, penalties, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Superfund, Water pollution control, Water 
supply.

    Dated: September 22, 2003.
Barry N. Breen,
Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency 
Response.

0
40 CFR part 300 is amended as follows:

[[Page 55882]]

PART 300--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for part 300 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321(c)(2); 42 U.S.C. 9601-9657; E.O. 
12777, 56 FR 54757, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351; E.O. 12580, 52 FR 
2923, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p. 193.

0
2. Table 1 of Appendix B to part 300 is amended by adding the following 
sites in alphabetical order to read as follows:

Appendix B to Part 300--National Priorities List

                                       Table 1.--General Superfund Section
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                State                         Site name               City/county               Notes (a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  * * * * * * *
CA...................................  AMCO                     Oakland................
                                        Chemical.............
                                                  * * * * * * *
CO...................................  Captain Jack             Ward...................
                                        Mill.........
                                                  * * * * * * *
IL...................................  Matthiessen and Hegeler  LaSalle................
                                        Zinc Company.
                                                  * * * * * * *
MO...................................  Madison County           Fredericktown..........
                                        Mines......
                                                  * * * * * * *
MO...................................  Newton County Mine       Newton County..........
                                        Tailings.
                                                  * * * * * * *
NC...................................  Ram Leather              Charlotte..............
                                        Care..........
                                                  * * * * * * *
NH...................................  Troy Mills               Troy...................
                                        Landfill.......
                                                  * * * * * * *
NJ...................................  Rolling Knolls Landfill  Chatham Township.......
                                                  * * * * * * *
OH...................................  Lammers                  Beavercreek............
                                        Barrel............
                                                  * * * * * * *
OR...................................  Harbor                   Portland...............
                                        Oil................
                                                  * * * * * * *
TX...................................  Conroe Creosoting        Conroe.................
                                        Company......
                                                  * * * * * * *
TX...................................  Jones Road Ground Water  Harris County..........
                                        Plume.
                                                 * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\(a)\ A = Based on issuance of health advisory by Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (if scored,
  HRS score need not be <=28.50).
 C = Sites on Construction Completion list.
 S = State top priority (included among the 100 top priority sites regardless of score).
 P = Sites with partial deletion(s).

* * * * *

[FR Doc. 03-24406 Filed 9-26-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P