[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 156 (Tuesday, August 15, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55394-55401]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-17367]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 271 and 272

[EPA-R08-RCRA-2023-0033; FRL-10606-02-R8]


Montana: Final Authorization of State Hazardous Waste Management 
Program Revisions and Incorporation by Reference

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Direct final rule.

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SUMMARY: The State of Montana Department of Environmental Quality has 
applied to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for final 
authorization of the changes to its hazardous waste program under the 
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The EPA has determined 
that these changes satisfy all requirements needed to qualify for final 
authorization, and is authorizing the State's changes through this 
direct final action. The EPA uses the regulations entitled ``Approved 
State Hazardous Waste Management Programs'' to provide notice of the 
authorization status of State programs and to incorporate by reference 
those provisions of State statutes and regulations that will be subject 
to the EPA's inspection and enforcement. This rule also codifies in the 
regulations the approval of Montana's hazardous waste management 
program and incorporates by reference the authorized provisions of the 
State's regulations.

DATES: This direct final rule is effective on October 16, 2023 unless 
EPA receives adverse written comment by September 14, 2023. If the EPA 
receives any such comment, we will publish a timely withdrawal of this 
direct final rule in the Federal Register informing the public that the 
rule will not take effect. The Director of the Federal Register 
approves the incorporation by reference as of October 16, 2023, in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R08-
RCRA-2023-0033; FRL-10606-02-R8 by one of the following methods:
    1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow 
the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
    2. Email: [email protected].
    3. Fax: (303) 312-6341 (prior to faxing, please notify the EPA 
contact listed below).
    4. Mail, Hand Delivery or Courier: Moye Lin, Resource Conservation 
and Recovery Act Branch, EPA Region 8, Mailcode 8P-R, 1595 Wynkoop 
Street, Denver, Colorado 80202-1129. Courier or hand deliveries are 
only accepted during the Regional Office's normal hours of operation. 
The public is advised to call in advance to verify business hours. 
Special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed 
information.
    Instructions: EPA must receive your comments by September 14, 2023. 
Direct your comments to EPA-R08-RCRA-2023-0033; FRL-10606-02-R8. The 
EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the 
public docket without change and may be available online at https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, 
unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential 
Business Information (CBI) or other information

[[Page 55395]]

whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information 
that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through https://regulations.gov, or email. The Federal https://www.regulations.gov 
website is an ``anonymous access'' system, which means the EPA will not 
know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the 
body of your comment. If you send an email comment directly to the EPA 
without going through https://www.regulations.gov, your email address 
will be automatically captured and included as part of the comment that 
is placed in the public docket and made available on the internet. If 
you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your 
name and other contact information in the body of your comment with any 
CD you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical 
difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be 
able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of 
special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects 
or viruses.
    Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the https://www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some 
information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information 
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such 
as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy. 
Publicly available docket materials are available electronically 
through https://www.regulations.gov. For alternative access to docket 
materials, please contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Moye Lin, Resource Conservation and 
Recovery Act Branch, EPA Region 8, 1595 Wynkoop Street, Denver, 
Colorado 80202-1129; telephone number: (303) 312-6667; email address: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Authorization of Revisions to Montana's Hazardous Waste Program

A. Why are revisions to State programs necessary?

    States which have received final authorization from EPA under RCRA 
section 3006(b), 42 U.S.C. 6926(b), must maintain a hazardous waste 
program that is equivalent to, consistent with, and no less stringent 
than the Federal program. As the Federal program changes, States must 
change their programs and ask EPA to authorize the changes. Changes to 
State programs may be necessary when Federal or State statutory or 
regulatory authority is modified or when certain other changes occur. 
Most commonly, States must change their programs because of changes to 
EPA's regulations in 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) parts 124, 
260 through 268, 270, 273 and 279.

B. What authorization decisions has the EPA made in this rule?

    On May 31, 2022, Montana submitted a final complete program 
revision application seeking authorization of changes to its hazardous 
waste program. The EPA concludes that Montana's application to revise 
its authorized program meets all of the statutory and regulatory 
requirements established by RCRA. Therefore, we grant Montana final 
authorization to operate its hazardous waste program with the changes 
described in the authorization application. Montana has responsibility 
for permitting Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities (TSDFs), and 
for carrying out the aspects of the RCRA program described in its 
revised program application, subject to the limitations of the 
Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984 (HSWA), for all areas 
within the State, except for (1) lands located within formal Indian 
Reservations within or abutting the State of Montana, including 
Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Crow Tribe of Montana Indian Reservation, 
Flathead Indian Reservation, Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, Fort Peck 
Indian Reservation, Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, Rocky Boy's 
Indian Reservation, (2) any land held in trust by the United States for 
an Indian tribe, (3) and any other land, whether on or off a 
reservation that qualifies as ``Indian country'' within the meaning of 
18 U.S.C. 1151. New Federal requirements and prohibitions imposed by 
Federal regulations that EPA promulgates under the authority of HSWA 
take effect in authorized States before they are authorized for the 
requirements. Thus, EPA will implement those requirements and 
prohibitions in Montana, including issuing permits, until Montana is 
authorized to do so.

C. What is the effect of today's authorization decision?

    The effect of this decision is that a facility in Montana subject 
to RCRA will have to comply with the authorized State requirements 
instead of the equivalent Federal requirements in order to comply with 
RCRA. The State of Montana will continue to have enforcement 
responsibilities under its State hazardous waste program for violations 
of such program, but the EPA retains its authority under RCRA sections 
3007, 3008, 3013, and 7003, which include, among others, authority to:
     Conduct inspections and require monitoring, tests, 
analyses, or reports;
     Enforce RCRA requirements; suspend or revoke permits; and
     Take enforcement actions after notice to and consultation 
with the State.
    This action to approve these provisions would not impose additional 
requirements on the regulated community because the regulations for 
which the State of Montana is requesting authorization are already 
effective under State law and are not changed by the act of 
authorization.

D. Why is the EPA using a direct final rule?

    The EPA is publishing this rule without a prior proposal because we 
view this as a noncontroversial action and anticipate no adverse 
comment. However, in the ``Proposed Rules'' section of this Federal 
Register, we are publishing a separate document that will serve as the 
proposed rule allowing the public an opportunity to comment. We will 
not institute a second comment period on this action. Any parties 
interested in commenting must do so at this time. For further 
information about commenting on this rule, see the ADDRESSES section of 
this document.

E. What happens if EPA receives comments opposing this action?

    If EPA receives comments that oppose this authorization, we will 
publish a timely withdrawal in the Federal Register informing the 
public that this direct final rule will not take effect. We will 
address all public comments in a later Federal Register. You will not 
have another opportunity to comment, therefore, if you want to comment 
on this action, you must do so at this time.

F. For what has Montana previously been authorized?

    Montana initially received final authorization on July 11, 1984, 
effective July 25, 1984 (49 FR 28245) to implement the RCRA hazardous 
waste management program. We granted authorization for changes to their 
program on: January 19, 1994, effective March 21, 1994 (59 FR 2752); 
October 25, 1996, effective December 24, 1996 (61 FR 55223); December 
26, 2000, effective December 26, 2000 (65 FR 81381); September 30, 
2005, effective November 29, 2005 (70 FR 57152); and,

[[Page 55396]]

April 27, 2009, effective June 26, 2009 (79 FR 18997).

G. What changes is EPA authorizing with this action?

    On May 31, 2022, the State of Montana submitted a final complete 
program revision application, seeking authorization of their changes in 
accordance with 40 CFR 271.21. We now make a final decision, subject to 
receipt of written comments that oppose this action, that Montana's 
hazardous waste program satisfies all of the requirements necessary to 
qualify for final authorization. Therefore, we grant Montana final 
authorization for the following changes:
1. Program Revision Changes for Federal Rules
    The State of Montana revisions consist of regulations which 
specifically govern Federal hazardous waste revisions promulgated 
between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2021, Revision Checklists 214, 215, 
217, 218, 220, 222 and 223, Rule 225, and Revision Checklists 226 
through 243 (RCRA Clusters XVII through XXIX). The State requirements 
from its Hazardous Waste Rules, Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM), 
Environmental Quality, Title 17, Chapter 53, sections 17.53.101 through 
17.53.1502 are listed in the chart below.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Description of Federal        Federal Register     Analogous State
           requirement               date and page         authority
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Corrections to Errors in the   71 FR 40254; 07/14/ Administrative
 Code of Federal Regulations       06.                 Rules of Montana
 (Checklist 214).                                      (ARM) Title 17,
                                                       Chapter 53,
                                                       17.53.301(1),
                                                       17.53.404(1),
                                                       17.53.405(5),
                                                       17.53.501(1),
                                                       17.53.601(1),
                                                       17.53.801(1),
                                                       17.53.901(1),
                                                       17.53.1001(1),
                                                       17.53.1501(1),
                                                       17.53.1101(1),
                                                       17.53.1201(1),
                                                       17.53.1301(1),
                                                       17.53.1401(1).
2. Cathode Ray Tubes Rule         74 FR 42928; 07/28/ ARM 17.53.301(1),
 (Checklist 215).                  06.                 17.53.501(1),
                                                       17.53.107(3).
3. NESHAP: Final Standards for    73 FR 18970; 04/08/ ARM 17.53.801(1),
 Hazardous Waste Combustors        08.                 17.53.1001(1).
 (Phase I Final Replacement
 Standards and Phase II)
 Amendments (Checklist 217).
4. F019 Exemption for Wastewater  73 FR 31756; 06/04/ ARM 17.53.501(1).
 Treatment Sludges from Auto       08.
 Manufacturing Zinc Phosphating
 Processes (Checklist 218).
5. Academic Laboratories          73 FR 72912; 12/1/  ARM 17.53.501(1),
 Generator Standards (Checklist    08.                 17.53.601(1).
 220).
6. OECD Requirements; Export      75 FR 1236; 01/08/  ARM 17.53.601(1),
 Shipments of Spent Lead-Acid      10.                 17.53.107(3),
 Batteries (Checklist 222).                            17.53.602(7),
                                                       17.53.602(10),
                                                       17.53.701(1),
                                                       17.53.801(1),
                                                       17.53.107(3),
                                                       17.53.901(1),
                                                       17.53.1001(1).
7. Hazardous Waste Technical      75 FR 1298; 03/18/  ARM 17.53.301(1),
 Corrections and Clarifications    10 75 FR 31713-     17.53.501(1),
 (Checklist 223).                  31717; 06/04/10.    17.53.601(1),
                                                       17.53.701(1),
                                                       17.53.801(1),
                                                       17.53.901(1),
                                                       17.53.1001(1),
                                                       17.53.1101(1),
                                                       17.53.1201(1).
8. Removal of Saccharin and Its   75 FR 78918; 12/17/ ARM 17.53.501(1),
 Salts from the List of            10.                 17.53.1101(1).
 Hazardous Constituents (Rule
 225).
9. Academic Laboratories          75 FR 79304; 12/20/ ARM 17.53.601(1).
 Generator Standards Technical     10.
 Corrections (Checklist 226).
10. Revision of the Land          76 FR 34147; 06/13/ ARM 17.53.1101(1).
 Disposal Treatment Standards      11.
 for Carbamate Wastes (Checklist
 227).
11. Hazardous Waste Technical     77 FR 22229; 04/13/ ARM 17.53.501(1),
 Corrections and Clarifications    12.                 17.53.1001(1).
 Checklist 228).
12. Solvent Contaminated Wipes    78 FR 46448; 07/31/ ARM 17.53.301(1),
 (Checklist 229).                  13.                 17.53.501(1).
13. Conditional Exclusion for     79 FR 350; 1/3/14.  ARM 17.53.301(1),
 Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Streams in                       17.53.501(1).
 Geologic Sequestration
 Activities (Checklist 230).
14. Hazardous Waste Electronic    79 FR 7518; 02/07/  ARM 17.53.107(2),
 Manifest Rules (Special           14.                 17.53.107(3),
 Consolidated Checklist for       83 FR 420; 01/03/    17.53.201,
 Checklists 231 and 239A).         18.                 17.53.404(1),
                                                       17.53.405,
                                                       17.53.601(1),
                                                       17.53.602(11)
                                                       (removed),
                                                       17.53.701(1),
                                                       17.53.801(1),
                                                       17.53.802(5),
                                                       17.53.901(1),
                                                       17.53.902(6).
15. Revisions to the Export       79 FR 36220; 6/26/  ARM 17.53.107(3),
 Provisions of the Cathode Ray     14.                 17.53.301(1),
 Tube (CRT) Rule (Checklist 232).                      17.53.501(1).
16. Revisions to the Definition   80 FR 1694-1814;    ARM 17.53.301(1),
 of Solid Waste (Checklists        01/13/15.           17.53.404(1),
 233A, B, C, D2, and E).                               17.53.501(1),
                                                       17.53.1201(1).
                                  83 FR 24664-24671;
                                   05/30/18.
17. Response to Vacaturs of the   80 FR 18777; 4/8/   ARM 17.53.501(1).
 Comparable Fuels Rule and the     15.
 Gasification Rule (Checklist
 234).
18. Disposal of Coal Combustion   80 FR 21302; 4/17/  ARM 17.53.501(1).
 Residuals from Electric           15.
 Utilities (Checklist 235).
19. Imports and Exports of        81 FR 85696; 11/28/ ARM 17.53.105(3),
 Hazardous Waste (Checklist 236).  16.                 17.53.107(3),
                                  82 FR 41015; 8/29/   17.53.301(1),
                                   17.                 17.53.404(1),
                                  83 FR 38263; 8/6/    17.53.501(1),
                                   18.                 17.53.601(1),
                                                       17.53.602(7),
                                                       17.53.602(8),
                                                       17.53.602(9),
                                                       17.53.602(10),
                                                       17.53.701(1),
                                                       17.53.702(1),
                                                       17.53.801(1),
                                                       17.53.901(1),
                                                       17.53.1001(1),
                                                       17.53.1501(1),
                                                       17.53.1301(1).

[[Page 55397]]

 
20. Hazardous Waste Generator     81 FR 85732; 11/28/ ARM 17.53.111(2)
 Improvements Rule (Checklist      16.                 introductory
 237).                                                 paragraph and
                                                       (2)(a),
                                                       17.53.301(1),
                                                       17.53.301(2)(q),
                                                       17.53.404(1),
                                                       17.53.405(5),
                                                       17.53.501,
                                                       17.53.502(5),
                                                       17.53.601(1),
                                                       17.53.602(2)
                                                       through (4), (7),
                                                       and (9) through
                                                       (13), 17.53.603,
                                                       17.53.604,
                                                       17.53.701(1),
                                                       17.53.702(1),
                                                       17.53.801(1),
                                                       17.53.802(3),
                                                       (4), and (6),
                                                       17.53.803,
                                                       17.53.901(1),
                                                       17.53.902(4)
                                                       through (6),
                                                       17.53.903,
                                                       17.53.1001(1),
                                                       17.53.1101(1),
                                                       17.53.1201(1),
                                                       17.53.1301(1),
                                                       17.53.1401(1),
                                                       17.53.1501(1).
21. Confidentiality               83 FR 60894; 12/26/ ARM 17.53.107(3),
 Determinations for Hazardous      17.                 17.53.201,
 Waste Export and Import                               17.53.404,
 Documents (Checklist 238).                            17.53.501(1),
                                                       17.53.601(1),
                                                       17.53.602(7).
22. Safe Management of Recalled   83 FR 61552; 11/30/ ARM 17.53.301(1),
 Airbags (Checklist 240).          18.                 17.53.501(1),
                                                       17.53.601(1).
23. Management Standards for      84 FR 5816; 02/22/  ARM 17.53.111(7),
 Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals   19.                 17.53.501(1),
 and Amendment to the P075                             17.53.601(1),
 Listing for Nicotine (Checklist                       17.53.801(1),
 241).                                                 17.53.901(1),
                                                       17.53.1001(1),
                                                       17.53.1002(9),
                                                       17.53.1101(1),
                                                       17.53.1201(1),
                                                       17.53.1301(1).
24. Universal Waste Regulations;  84 FR 67202; 12/9/  ARM 17.153.301(1),
 Addition of Aerosol Cans          19.                 17.53.501(1),
 Checklist 242).                                       17.53.801(1),
                                                       17.53.901(1),
                                                       17.53.1101(1),
                                                       17.53.1201(1),
                                                       17.53.1301(1).
25. Modernizing Ignitable         85 FR 40594; 07/7/  ARM 17.53.105(3),
 Liquids Determinations            20.                 17.53.404(1),
 (Checklist 243).                                      17.53.501(1).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. State-Initiated Changes
    Montana has made amendments to its regulations that are not 
directly related to any of the Federal rules addressed in Item G.1 
above. These State-initiated changes are either conforming changes made 
to existing authorized provisions, or the adoption of provisions that 
clarify and make the State's regulations internally consistent. The 
State's regulations, as amended by these provisions, provide authority 
which remains equivalent to and no less stringent than the Federal laws 
and regulations. These State-initiated changes are submitted under the 
requirements of 40 CFR 271.21(a) and include the following provisions 
from the Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM), as amended, effective 
May 14, 2022: ARM 17.53.105(4); 17.53.107(1) introductory paragraph; 
17.53.111(1); 17.53.111(3); 17.53.111(4) (except phrase addressing 
fees); 17.53.111(5); 17.53.406; 17.53.602(1); 17.53.1202(1); 
17.53.1202(21); and 17.53.1303. In addition, effective December 25, 
2009, Montana made State-initiated changes to adopt 40 CFR part 267 by 
reference at ARM 17.53.1501 and 17.53.1502. The State had previously 
adopted the final rule, Standardized Permit for RCRA Hazardous Waste 
Management Facilities, (September 8, 2005, 70 FR 53419) without the 40 
CFR part 267 provisions. Sections 17.53.1501 and 17.53.1502 have been 
reviewed by EPA and are acceptable to be authorized.

H. Where are the revised State rules different from the Federal rules?

    The Montana revisions being authorized in this rule include 
provisions that contain purely Federal functions which are not 
delegable to States. The non-delegable Federal program areas include 
import/export requirements reserved as part of the Federal foreign 
relations function, and manifest registry and electronic manifest 
functions administered solely by the EPA. Montana has appropriately 
adopted these provisions by leaving the authority with the EPA for 
implementation and enforcement.
    When revised State rules differ from the Federal rules in the RCRA 
State authorization process, EPA determines whether the State rules are 
equivalent to, more stringent than, or broader in scope than the 
Federal program. Pursuant to RCRA section 3009, 42 U.S.C. 6929, State 
programs may contain requirements that are more stringent than the 
Federal regulations. Such more stringent requirements can be federally 
authorized and, once authorized, become federally enforceable. Although 
the statute does not prevent States from adopting regulations that are 
broader in scope than the Federal program, States cannot receive 
Federal authorization for such regulations, and they are not federally 
enforceable.
    We consider the following State requirements to be more stringent 
than the Federal requirements: ARM 17.53.502(5), 17.53.602(3), (10), 
(11), and (12), 17.53.603(1) introductory paragraph, 17.53.603(2), (3), 
and (4) because Montana requires an annual report in lieu of the 
Federal biennial reporting requirement. Additionally, we consider the 
following State requirement to be broader in scope than the Federal: 
ARM 17.53.111(6) because Montana requires transporters obtain a 
registration from the State.

I. Who handles permits after the authorization takes effect?

    The State of Montana will continue to issue permits for all the 
provisions for which it is authorized and will administer the permits 
it issues. The EPA will continue to administer any RCRA hazardous waste 
permits or portions of permits, which we issued prior to the effective 
date of this authorization, until Montana has equivalent instruments in 
place. EPA will continue to implement and issue permits for HSWA 
requirements for which Montana is not yet authorized.

J. How does today's action affect Indian Country (18 U.S.C.1151) in 
Montana?

    Montana is not authorized to carry out its hazardous waste program 
in Indian country, as defined in 18 U.S.C. 1151. This includes, but is 
not limited to:
    1. Lands within the exterior boundaries of the following Indian 
Reservations located within or abutting the State of Montana:

a. Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation
b. Crow Tribe of Montana
c. Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation

[[Page 55398]]

d. Fort Belknap Indian Community of the Fort Belknap Reservation of 
Montana
e. Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation
f. Northern Cheyenne Tribe of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation
g. Chippewa Cree Indians of the Rocky Boy's Reservation
    2. Any land held in trust by the U.S. for an Indian tribe; and
    3. Any other land, whether on or off a reservation that qualifies 
as Indian country within the meaning of 18 U.S.C. 1151.
    Therefore, this program revision does not extend to Indian country 
where the EPA will continue to implement and administer the RCRA 
program.

II. Incorporation by Reference

A. What is codification?

    Codification is the process of including the statutes and 
regulations that comprise the State's authorized hazardous waste 
management program into the CFR. Section 3006(b) of RCRA, as amended, 
allows the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to authorize State 
hazardous waste management programs. The State regulations authorized 
by EPA supplant the Federal regulations concerning the same matter with 
the result that after authorization, EPA enforces the authorized 
regulations. Infrequently, State statutory language which acts to 
regulate a matter is also authorized by EPA with the consequence that 
EPA enforces the authorized statutory provision. EPA does not authorize 
State enforcement authorities and does not authorize State procedural 
requirements. EPA codifies the authorized State program in 40 CFR part 
272 and incorporates by reference State statutes and regulations that 
make up the approved program, which is Federally enforceable in 
accordance with sections 3007, 3008, 3013, and 7003 of RCRA, 42 U.S.C. 
6927, 6928, 6934 and 6973, and any other applicable statutory and 
regulatory provisions.

B. What is the history of the codification of Montana's hazardous waste 
management program?

    The EPA first incorporated by reference Montana's authorized 
hazardous waste program effective January 31, 1986 (51 FR 3954) and 
program revisions effective March 8, 2006 (71 FR 11536). In this 
action, EPA is revising Subpart BB of 40 CFR part 272 to include the 
authorization revision actions described in this document.

C. What codification decisions have we made in this rule?

    In this rule, the EPA is finalizing regulatory text that includes 
incorporation by reference of the authorized hazardous waste management 
program of the State of Montana. In accordance with requirements of 1 
CFR 51.5, EPA is finalizing the incorporation by reference of the 
Montana rules described in section I.G. of this preamble and set forth 
in the amendments to 40 CFR 272.1351. The EPA has made, and will 
continue to make, these documents available electronically through 
https://www.regulations.gov. For alternative access to docket 
materials, please contact the person identified in the ADDRESSES 
section of this preamble.
    This action codifies EPA's authorization of Montana's base 
hazardous waste management program and its revisions to that program. 
The codification reflects the State program that would be in effect at 
the time EPA's authorized revisions to the Montana hazardous waste 
management program addressed in this direct final rule become final. 
This action does not reopen any decision EPA previously made concerning 
the authorization of the State's hazardous waste management program. 
EPA is not requesting comments on its decisions published in the 
Federal Register documents referenced in section I.F. of this document 
concerning revisions to the authorized program in Montana.
    The EPA is incorporating by reference EPA's approval of Montana's 
hazardous waste management program by amending Subpart BB to 40 CFR 
part 272. The action amends Sec.  272.1351 and incorporates by 
reference Montana's authorized hazardous waste regulations, as amended, 
effective May 14, 2022. Section 272.1351 also references the 
demonstration of adequate enforcement authority, including procedural 
and enforcement provisions, which provide the legal basis for the 
State's implementation of the hazardous waste management program. In 
addition, Sec.  272.1351 references the Memorandum of Agreement, the 
Attorney General's Statements and the Program Description, which are 
evaluated as part of the approval process of the hazardous waste 
management program in accordance with Subtitle C of RCRA.

D. What is the effect of Montana's codification on enforcement?

    EPA retains the authority under statutory provisions, including but 
not limited to, RCRA sections 3007, 3008, 3013 and 7003, and other 
applicable statutory and regulatory provisions to undertake inspections 
and enforcement actions and to issue orders in all authorized States. 
With respect to enforcement actions, EPA will rely on Federal 
sanctions, Federal inspection authorities, and Federal procedures 
rather than the State analogs to these provisions. Therefore, the EPA 
is not incorporating by reference Montana's inspection and enforcement 
authorities, nor are those authorities part of Montana's approved State 
program which operates in lieu of the Federal program. 40 CFR 
272.1351(c)(2) lists these authorities for informational purposes, and 
because EPA also considered them in determining the adequacy of 
Montana's procedural and enforcement authorities. Montana's authority 
to inspect and enforce the State's hazardous waste management program 
requirements continues to operate independently under State law.

E. What State provisions are not part of the codification?

    The public is reminded that some provisions of Montana's hazardous 
waste management program are not part of the federally authorized State 
program. These non-authorized provisions include:
    (1) Provisions that are not part of the RCRA subtitle C program 
because they are ``broader in scope'' than RCRA subtitle C (see 40 CFR 
271.1(i));
    (2) State procedural and enforcement authorities which are 
necessary to establish the ability of the State's program to enforce 
compliance but which do not supplant the Federal statutory enforcement 
and procedural authorities.
    State provisions that are ``broader in scope'' than the Federal 
program are not incorporated by reference in 40 CFR part 272. For 
reference and clarity, EPA lists in 40 CFR 272.1351(c)(3) the Montana 
statutory provisions which are ``broader in scope'' than the Federal 
program and which are not part of the authorized program being 
incorporated by reference. While ``broader in scope'' provisions are 
not part of the authorized program and cannot be enforced by EPA, the 
State may enforce such provisions under State law.

F. What will be the effect of codification on Federal HSWA 
requirements?

    With respect to any requirement(s) pursuant to HSWA for which the 
State has not yet been authorized, and which EPA has identified as 
taking effect immediately in States with authorized hazardous waste 
management programs, EPA will enforce those Federal HSWA

[[Page 55399]]

standards until the State is authorized for those provisions.
    The codification does not affect Federal HSWA requirements for 
which the State is not authorized. EPA has authority to implement HSWA 
requirements in all States, including States with authorized hazardous 
waste management programs, until the States become authorized for such 
requirements or prohibitions, unless EPA has identified the HSWA 
requirement(s) as an optional or as a less stringent requirement of the 
Federal program. A HSWA requirement or prohibition, unless identified 
by EPA as optional or as less stringent, supersedes any less stringent 
or inconsistent State provision which may have been previously 
authorized by EPA (50 FR 28702, July 15, 1985).
    Some existing State requirements may be similar to the HSWA 
requirements implemented by EPA. However, until EPA authorizes those 
State requirements, EPA enforces the HSWA requirements and not the 
State analogs.

III. Administrative Requirements

    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has exempted this action 
from the requirements of Executive Orders 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 
4, 1993) and 13563 (76 FR 3821, January 21, 2011). Therefore, this 
action is not subject to review by OMB. This action authorizes and 
codifies State requirements for the purpose of RCRA 3006 and imposes no 
additional requirements beyond those imposed by State law. Accordingly, 
I certify that this action will not have a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). Because this action authorizes 
and codifies pre-existing requirements under State law and does not 
impose any additional enforceable duty beyond that required by State 
law, it does not contain any unfunded mandate or significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments, as described in the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4). For the same reason, this 
action also does not significantly or uniquely affect the communities 
of Tribal governments, as specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 
67249, November 9, 2000). This action 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), because it 
merely authorizes and codifies State requirements as part of the State 
RCRA hazardous waste program without altering the relationship or the 
distribution of power and responsibilities established by RCRA.
    This action also is not subject to Executive Order 13045 (62 FR 
19885, April 23, 1997), because it is not economically significant, and 
it does not make decisions based on environmental health or safety 
risks. 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.
    Under RCRA 3006(b), EPA grants a State's application for 
authorization as long as the State meets the criteria required by RCRA. 
It would thus be inconsistent with applicable law for EPA, when it 
reviews a State authorization application, to require the use of any 
particular voluntary consensus standard in place of another standard 
that otherwise satisfies the requirements of RCRA. 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. As required 
by section 3 of Executive Order 12988 (61 FR 4729, February 7, 1996), 
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. EPA has complied 
with Executive Order 12630 (53 FR 8859, March 15, 1988) by examining 
the takings implications of the rule in accordance with the ``Attorney 
General's Supplemental Guidelines for the Evaluation of Risk and 
Avoidance of Unanticipated Takings'' issued under the executive order. 
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.).
    Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994) establishes 
federal executive policy on environmental justice. Its main provision 
directs federal agencies, to the greatest extent practicable and 
permitted by law, to make environmental justice part of their mission 
by identifying and addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high 
and adverse human health or environmental effects of their programs, 
policies, and activities on minority populations and low-income 
populations in the United States. Because this rule authorizes pre-
existing State rules which are at least equivalent to, and no less 
stringent than existing Federal requirements, and imposes no additional 
requirements beyond those imposed by State law, and there are no 
anticipated significant adverse human health or environmental effects, 
the rule is not subject to Executive Order 12898.
    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. The EPA will submit a report containing this document 
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 in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot take effect 
until 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register. This 
action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2). This 
action will be effective October 16, 2023.

List of Subjects

40 CFR Part 271

    Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, 
Confidential business information, Hazardous waste, Hazardous waste 
transportation, Indian lands, Intergovernmental relations, Penalties, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

40 CFR Part 272

    Environmental protection, Hazardous materials transportation, 
Hazardous waste, Incorporation by reference, Intergovernmental 
relations, Water pollution control, Water supply.

    Authority: This rule is issued under the authority of sections 
2002(a), 3006 and 7004(b) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act as 
amended, 42 U.S.C. 6912(a), 6926, 6974(b).

    Dated: August 8, 2023.
KC Becker,
Regional Administrator, Region 8.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, under the authority at 
42 U.S.C. 6912(a), 6926, and 6974(b), EPA is granting final 
authorization under 40 CFR part 271 to the State of Montana for 
revisions to its hazardous waste program under the Resource 
Conservation and Recovery Act and is amending 40 CFR part 272 as 
follows:

[[Page 55400]]

PART 272--APPROVED STATE HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS

0
1. The authority citation for part 272 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  Secs. 2002(a), 3006, and 7004(b) of the Solid Waste 
Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery 
Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 6912(a), 6926, and 6974(b).


0
2. Revise Sec.  272.2 to read as follows:


Sec.  272.2  Incorporation by reference.

    (a) Material listed as incorporated by reference in part 272 was 
approved for incorporation by reference by the Director of the Federal 
Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Material 
is incorporated as it exists on the date of the approval, and notice of 
any change in the material will be published in the Federal Register.
    (b) Copies of materials incorporated by reference may be inspected 
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at NARA, email: 
[email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Copies of materials incorporated by 
reference may be obtained or inspected at the EPA Docket Center, Office 
of Land and Emergency Management Docket (by scheduled appointment 
only), located at WJC West Building, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution 
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, or send mail to Mail Code 28221T, 1200 
Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460, and at the library of the 
appropriate Regional Office listed below:
    (1) Region 1 (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, 
Rhode Island, Vermont): 5 Post Office Square, 1st floor, Boston, MA 
02109-3912; phone number: (617) 918-1313,
    (2) Region 2 (New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands): 
Federal Office Building, 290 Broadway, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10007-
1866; phone number: (212) 637-3185),
    (3) Region 3 (Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, 
Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia): Four Penn Center, 1600 John F. 
Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19103-2852; phone number: (215) 814-
5254,
    (4) Region 4 (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, 
North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee): 61 Forsyth Street SW, Sam 
Nunn Atlanta Federal Center, 9th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30303, (513) 569-
7703,
    (5) Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, 
Wisconsin): 77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60604; phone number: 
(312) 886- 6822,
    (6) Region 6 (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas): 
1201 Elm Street, Suite 500, Dallas, Texas 75270-2102; phone number: 
(214) 665-853,
    (7) Region 7 (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska); 11201 Renner 
Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas 66219; phone number: (919) 541-2777,
    (8) Region 8 (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, 
Wyoming): 1595 Wynkoop St., Denver, CO 80202-2405; phone number: (303) 
312-6667,
    (9) Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Guam, American 
Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands): 75 Hawthorne 
Street, San Francisco, CA 94105; phone number: (415) 947-4406,
    (10) Region 10 (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington): 1200 Sixth 
Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101; phone number: (206) 553-1289.
    (c) For an informational listing of the state and local 
requirements incorporated in this part, see appendix A to this part.

0
3. Revise Sec.  272.1351 to read as follows:


Sec.  272.1351  Montana State-Administered Program: Final 
Authorization.

    (a) History of the State of Montana authorization. Pursuant to 
section 3006(b) of RCRA, 42 U.S.C. 6926(b), Montana has final 
authorization for the following elements as submitted to EPA in 
Montana's base program application for final authorization which was 
approved by EPA effective on July 25, 1984. Subsequent program revision 
applications were approved effective on March 21, 1994, December 24, 
1996, December 26, 2000, November 29, 2005, June 26, 2009, and October 
16, 2023.
    (b) Enforcement authority. The State of Montana has primary 
responsibility for enforcing its hazardous waste management program. 
However, EPA retains the authority to exercise its inspection and 
enforcement authorities in accordance with sections 3007, 3008, 3013, 
7003 of RCRA, 42 U.S.C. 6927, 6928, 6934, 6973, and any other 
applicable statutory and regulatory provisions, regardless of whether 
the State has taken its own actions, as well as in accordance with 
other statutory and regulatory provisions.
    (c) State statutes and regulations--(1) Incorporation by reference. 
The Montana regulations cited in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section 
are incorporated by reference as part of the hazardous waste management 
program under Subtitle C of RCRA, 42 U.S.C. 6921 et seq. The Director 
of the Federal Register approves this incorporation by reference in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. For the availability 
of this information at the National Archives and Records Administration 
and at the EPA, see Sec.  272.2(b). You may obtain copies of the 
Montana regulations that are incorporated by reference in this 
paragraph from Montana Secretary of State, Administrative Rules 
Services, P.O. Box 202801 Helena, MT 59620-2801, Phone: (406) 438-6122.
    (i) EPA-Approved Montana Regulatory Requirements Applicable to the 
Hazardous Waste Management Program, dated November 2022.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (2) Legal basis. The following provisions provide the legal basis 
for the State's implementation of the hazardous waste program, but they 
are not being incorporated by reference and do not replace Federal 
authorities:
    (i) Montana Code Annotated (MCA) 2021, Title 2, ``Government 
Structure and Administration,'' Chapter 3, Public Participation in 
Governmental Operations, sections 2-3-102 introductory paragraph 
through 2-3-102(2), 2-3-103(1), 2-3-104, 2-3-105, 2-3-111, 2-3-112, 2-
3-221, 2-3-301; Chapter 4, Administrative Procedure Act, sections 2-4-
103, 2-4-307, 2-4-315; Chapter 6, Public Records, sections 2-6-1003 and 
2-6-1006; Chapter 15, Executive Branch Officers and Agencies, sections 
2-15-3501 and 2-15-3502.
    (ii) Montana Code Annotated (MCA) 2022, Title 25, Civil Procedure: 
Chapter 20, Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 24(a) and (b).
    (iii) Montana Code Annotated (MCA) 2021, Title 27, Civil Liability, 
Remedies, and Limitations: Chapter 30, Nuisances, section 27-30-204.
    (iv) Montana Code Annotated (MCA) 2021, Title 30, Trade and 
Commerce: Chapter 14, Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection, 
sections 30-14-402, et seq.
    (v) Montana Code Annotated (MCA) 2021, Title 75, Environmental 
Protection: Chapter 10, Waste and Litter Control, sections 75-10-107, 
75-10-203, 75-10-402(3), 75-10-403 (except 75-10-403(13)), 75-10-404(1) 
introductory paragraph and (1)(a), 75-10-404(1)(b) through (e), 75-10-
404(2), 75-10-405 (except 75-10-405(1)(i), (1)(j) and (2)(a)), 75-10-
406, 75-10-408, 75-10-409, 75-10-410, 75-10-411, 75-10-413, 75-10-414, 
75-10-415, 75-10-416, 75-10-417, 75-10-418, 75-10-419, 75-10-420, 75-
10-421, 75-10-422, 75-10-424, 75-10-425, 75-10-426, 75-10-427, 75-10-
441 and 75-10-442; Chapter 20, Major Facility Siting.

[[Page 55401]]

    (vi) Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM), effective May 14, 2022, 
Title 17, Environmental Quality: Chapter 53, Hazardous Waste, sections 
17.53.104, 17.53.201, 17.53.202, 17.53.206, 17.53.207, 17.53.208, 
17.53.212, 17.53.213, 17.53.214, 17.53.215, 17.53.1202(6)(m) and (n), 
17.53.1202(7).
    (3) Related legal provisions. The following statutory and 
regulatory provisions are broader in scope than the Federal program, 
are not part of the authorized program, are not incorporated by 
reference and are not federally enforceable:
    (i) Montana Code Annotated (MCA) 2021, Title 75, Environmental 
Protection: Chapter 10, Waste and Litter Control, sections 75-10-
403(13), 75-10-405(1)(i) and (j), 75-10-405(2)(a), 75-10-431, 75-10-
432, 75-10-433, and 75-10-434.
    (ii) Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM), effective May 14, 2022, 
Title 17, Environmental Quality, Chapter 53, Hazardous Waste, sections 
17.53.111(4) (phrase addressing fees), 17.53.111(6), 17.53.112, 
17.53.113, 17.53.301(2)(p) (phrase addressing fees), 17.53.703, 
17.53.1202(6)(l), and 17.53.1202(18).
    (4) Memorandum of agreement. The Memorandum of Agreement between 
EPA Region 8 and the State of Montana, signed by the State of Montana 
Department of Environmental Quality on August 22, 2018, and by the EPA 
Regional Administrator on August 2, 2018, although not incorporated by 
reference, are referenced as part of the authorized hazardous waste 
management program under subtitle C of RCRA, 42 U.S.C. 6921 et seq.
    (5) Statement of legal authority. Independent Legal Counsel 
Statement, accompanied by an Attorney General concurrence letter signed 
by the Attorney General of Montana on December 27, 1983 as amended June 
7, 1984 and revisions, supplements and addenda to that Statement 
accompanied by Attorney General concurrence letters dated September 23, 
1993, March 28, 1995, June 29, 1995, April 4, 2005, January 31, 2008 
and May 31, 2022, although not incorporated by reference, are 
referenced as part of the authorized hazardous waste management program 
under subtitle C of RCRA, 42 U.S.C. 6921 et seq.
    (6) Program description. The Program Description and any other 
materials submitted as supplements thereto, although not incorporated 
by reference, are referenced as part of the authorized hazardous waste 
management program under subtitle C of RCRA, 42 U.S.C. 6921 et seq.

0
3. Appendix A to part 272 is amended by revising the entry ``Montana'' 
to read as follows:

Appendix A to Part 272--State Requirements

* * * * *

Montana

    The regulatory provisions include: Administrative Rules of 
Montana, Title 17, Environmental Quality, Chapter 53, Hazardous 
Waste, effective May 14, 2022, sections 17.53.101, 17.53.102, 
17.53.105, 17.53.107, 17.53.111(1), 17.53.111(2), 17.53.111(3), 
17.5.111(4) (except the phrase ``and receives the registration fee 
required by ARM 17.53.113''), 17.53.111(5), 17.53.111(7), 17.53.301 
(except the phrase addressing fees at 17.53.301(2)(p)), 17.53.404, 
17.53.405, 17.53.406, 17.53.501, 17.53.502, 17.53.601, 17.53.602, 
17.53.603, 17.53.604, 17.53.701, 17.53.702, 17.53.704, 17.53.706, 
17.53.707, 17.53.708, 17.53.801, 17.53.802, 17.53.803, 17.53.901, 
17.53.902, 17.53.903, 17.53.1001, 17.53.1002, 17.53.1003, 
17.53.1004, 17.53.1101, 17.53.1102, 17.53.1201, 17.53.1202 (except 
17.53.1202(6)(l), (6)(m), (6)(n), (7) and (18)), 17.53.1203, 
17.53.1301, 17.53.1302, 17.53.1303, 17.53.1401, 17.53.1402, 
17.53.1501, and 1502.
    Copies of the Montana regulations that are incorporated by 
reference are available from the Montana Secretary of State, 
Administrative Rules Services, P.O. Box 202801, Helena, MT 59620-
2801 (Phone: 406-438-6122)
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2023-17367 Filed 8-14-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P