WOEF,"5(128+)

United States Government

memorandu mDATE: October 20, 198 8

REPLY T OATTN OF : EH-23 1

SUBJECT :

TO :

Department of Energy

Further Clarification on the RadioactiveMixed Waste Interim

permit Statu s

Expanded Distribution List

on September 23, 1988 , the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

published the attached Federal Register notice " Clarification of

Interim Status Qualification Requiremnts for the HazardousComponents of Radioactive Mixed Waste" ( 53 FR 37045 )

outlines the requirements that must be followed in order for

facilities that treat , store or dispose of radioactive mixed

waste to obtain interim status pursuant to Subtitle C of the

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) .

Historically ,the status of radioactive mixed waste treatment,

storage, and disposal facilities (TSDFs ) has been a confusing

issue to both the States with and without EPA authorization to

administer a base hazardous waste program, and to the owners and-

operators of radioactive mixed waste TSDFs .

EH-231 has developed the accompanying Attachments A and B in

order to provide an easily-referenced guide that summarizes the

requirements of the Federal Register notice. Attachment A

categorizes the States according to their status regarding RCRA

authorization (non- authorized , base program authorization without

authority to regulate radioactive mixed waste, and baseauthorization with authority to regulate radioactive mixed

waste ), while Attachment B summarizes the various requirements

and deadlines that must be followed by radioactive mixed waste

facilities in order to obtain interim status in Stateswithin

nrimeach of the three categories

. Obtaining and maintainin g

status is important because, without such status or afinal

RCRApermit , facilities cannot legally treat, store or dispose

hazardous waste or radioactive mixed waste .

if you have any questions regarding Attachments A and B, or theFederal Register notice, please do not hesitate to call

Timothy Harms at FTS 896 - 6073, or Rich Dailey at FTS 896-7117.

Questions regarding your particular facility ' s status should be

directed to your EH - 232 Compliance Coordinator.

09256 1,44 ~~u-- •a ~ ►~. v ~,~. _ ~~--e W . Sale s

R~RA/CERCLA Uni t

Environmental Guidance Divisio n

3 Attachments

BNA0408467 1

HDMSe00446590

The Expanded Distribution List

Bill Dennison, GC-1 1

Jay Rhoderick, NE-33Raymond Hunter, NE-47George Sherwood, NE-47Steve Miller, GC-11

Dan Ruge, GC-11Tillie Fleming, DP-50

Leanne C . Waldo , DP-122

David Caughey, DP-133.1

Joseph A. Coleman, NE-24

Barry Nichols, SAI C

Elizabeth Hughes, SAIC h Energy Tech . Center

Jerry L . Hebb, Pittsburgh EnergyTech . Center

M .C . Keller , PittsbIdaho operations officeMichael J . Virgil

, operations office

Lisa A . Green, Idaho Op

Thomas Spicher ,Alaska Power Administration

Stan Sieczkowski ,Alaska Power Administration

Michael W . Tiernan ,Richland Operations

office

Richard Hudson ,Richland Operations Office

Ron Izatt ,Richland Operations Offic

e

Ron Gerton , Richlandoperations office

Liz Braken ,Richland Operations Office

Roger Freeburg , Richlandoperations office

Doug Smith ,Richland Operations Office

Gary Bracken , Richlandoperations office

Bob Brown ,Richland Operations Offic

e

Bob Carosino , Richland operations office

JoAnn Clummins -Rieck , Richland Operationsoffice

John Patterson , Richland operations office

William J .B]orklund, Pacific Northwest Lab

. Elizabeth Grigsby, Kaiser Engineers Hanford

Hymen Lee, Kaiser Engineers HanfordWarren Bodily, Kaiser Engineers Hanford

Herb Ray, Kaiser Engineers Hanford

Terry Surles, Argonne National Laboratory

Reed ,Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Margar M. Wilson, Oak

Ridge National Laboratory

Charles Abrams,Argonne National Lab .-West

Ron Lerch, WestinghouseHanford Company

Hank

Westinghouse Hanford Companynk E E

.

. McGuire ,

Steve Weigman ,Westinghouse Hanford Company

Carol Geier ,Westinghouse Hanford Company Company

Cherri Defigh-Price , Westinghouse Hanfor dCompany

George Carpenter , Westinghouse Hanford

Larry Brown ,Westinghouse Hanford Company

George Jackson, Westinghouse Hanford Company

Continued

BNA04084672

HDMSe00446591

Expanded Distribution Cont .

Karen Hoewing , Westinghouse Hanford CompanyMark Hanson , Pacitic Northwest LaboratoryGlenn Hoenes , Pacific Northwest LaboratoryDave Broussard , Pacific Northwest LaboratoryRobert Casey , Brookhaven National Lab .Gerald Kinne , Brookhaven National Lab .Robert Wynveen, Argonne National Lab. EastJames Talboy , Argonne National Lab. EastMichael Butler , Brookhaven Area OfficeGary Marshall , Argonne Area OfficeJeffrey Baker , SERI Area OfficeEdward Bucki, Batavia Area OfficeJuris Balodis, Princeton Area OfficeRonald Duncan , Solar Energy Research Inst .Larry Coulson , Fermi National Accelerator Lab .Joseph Stencel, Princeton Plasma Physics Lab .Lowell Mathison , Ames LaboratoryKarl E . Tucker , Southeastern Power AdministrationGary W . Frey, Western Area Power AdministrationBob Curnow , Western Area Power AdministrationMichael Skougard, Western Area Power AdministrationChuck Saylor, Western Area Power AdministrationBill Melander , Western Area Power AdministrationNancy Weintraub , Western Area Power AdministrationLloyd Nelson, Western Area Power AdministrationFrank E . Bingham , Nevada Operations Offic eL .J . Ferderber , Lawrence Livermore National Lab .E .J . Sowder , Los Alamos National Lab .J .D . Kennedy , Sandia National Lab .B .J . Bonner , Wackenhut Services, Inc .J .A . Cross , Fenix & Scisson, Inc .Peter H . Zavattaro , EG&G Energy Measurements, Inc .E .H . Weintraub , Reynolds Electrical & Engineering

Co ., Inc .

J .W . LaComb , Defense Nuclear Agency (TDNV)A .E . Gurrola , Holmes & Narver, Inc .Roger Jacobson , Desert Research InstituteRichard Ragaini , Lawrence Livermore National Lab .Steve Lafflam, Rockwell International Corp .-*"'Gary Warren , Stanford Linear Accelerator CenterJensen Young , Lawrence Berkeley LaboratoryMark Kamiya , San Francisco operations officeMarjorie Gonzalez, Lawrence Livermore National Lab .Joseph Cullen , Livermore Site OfficeLoren Maas , Hanford Environmental Health FoundationDr . Joyce Teerling , Boeing Petroleum Services, Inc .

Dan Grace , Morgantown Energy Technology CenterDonald Leske , UMTRA Project Offic eWilliam Glover , Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc .

Continued

EUBNA04084673

HDMSe00446592

Expanded Distribution Cont .

M .J. Sires, III, Savannah River operations office (4)

R .P . Whitfield , Savannah River operations office (4)

Joe Estrelledo Jr ., Westinghouse Hanford Co.

Lee W . Roberts, Westinghouse Hanford Co .

Delphine H . Delaneuville , General Electric Co .

John M . Ramirez , Allied-Signal Aerospace Co .

Curtis L . Valle , Bendix Kansas City Division

Milo M . Larsen , EG&G Idaho, Inc .

Dan Sanow , EH&G Idaho, Inc .

John H . McMenamin , Mason & Hanger- Silas Mason Co ., Inc.

Julie D ' Ambrosia , Automated Sciences Group ,

Ann C .Ficklin, Rockwell International Corp

. Co., Inc .Gene Kendall , Reynolds Electrical & Engineerin g

Carl Soong, Reynolds Electrical & Engineering Co ., Inc .

R .A. Heckman, Lawrence Livermore National Lab .

Dan Newquist ,Naval Petroleum and Oil Shale Reserve

s

Dave McCallister , Lawrence-Allison & Associates West, Inc .

BNA04084674

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ATTACHMENT A

AlaskaCaliforniaConnecticutHawaii

Idah o

IowaN . Mariana Islands

Ohi oPuerto RicoVirgin Islands

Wyoming

A

Alabama

ArizonaArkansasD . of Columbi a

DelawareFloridaGeorgia

GuamIllinoisIndianaKansasKentuckyLouisiana

MaineMarylandMassachusetts

MichiganMinnesotaMississippi

Missouri

B

MontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth Dakota

OklahomaOregon

PennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth Dakota

Texa s

UtahVermontVirginiaWest VirginiaWisconsi n

C

ColoradoSouth Carolina

TennesseeWashington

A =

B =

C =

Non-Authorized State s

States With Base Program Authorization/Without Radioactive

Mixed Waste Authority

States With Base Program Authorization

Mixed Waste Authority

and With Radioactiv e

BNA04084675

HDMSe00446594

ATTACHMENT B

A : NON-AUTHORIZEDSTATES

(operatingor under

1 . If your facility was in existenc e a radioactive mixedwaste

t3ed1986t

,

construction ) a sdisposal facility (TSDF)

storage or disp tatus .you may qualify for interim s ermit

2 . To application

indicating radioactive mixed waste activityby

appMarch 23, 1989 . ou must also submit

3. If your facility conducts land disposal, y with certification o f

assurancea RCRA Part B permit application,

compliance with groundwater monitoring aFasssuurre to observe

requirements ,by September 23, 1989 .

requirements will result in lossOf interim status for

these requ the affected units and

possibly

osal units must submita

4• applicationin accordance with the scheduleate .

for the

PartlBtpermo~haPpthan landlona1 Office in which theyoperate .

the EPA Re gestablished by

radioactiventification Number

TSDFowners and operators handlidde

r

5 . Form 8700-12 to theobt d waste muEPA Noatiinfian P

Amixeby submitting Tonal Office .appropriate EPA

Regional

WITH BASEAUTHORIZATION/WITHOUT

RADIOACTIVE MIXED

STATE SWASTE AUTHORIZATION not otther

radioactive mixed waste (but athes

1 . Facilities handling are not subject to RCRA regot

ro ram to

unt iRCRA

lha zthe

rd Stouaste

wastes) and

o regulate radioactivemixed

a the, State

tncel rvudeeaed p 9autho

red revisess its hazardbyou

s EPA

was Te p

as changerthe "regulatorypro ram

receives EPA authorization will be RCRA re requirements

that subjectsthes :e

must lfollowState permiu ittrin

gem nts. Until

then , the facility

and deadlines. ain operation or under construction) a a

s

2 . TSDFs facilityexistence ( on the effective date forradioactive mixed waste acilit

y

stateradioactive mixed waste authorization may

qualify

interim status . July 3, 1986in States with base authorization byndled othe r

some TSDFs status because they revisedmay already have interim wither six

hazardous was te. These facilities must submit

a

RCRAapplication

indicating mixed waste activity

Part A app receipt of radioactive mixed waste

months of fromSEPAes

authority

BNA04084676

HDMSe00446595

2

Part A application indicating mixed waste activity within six

months of the State's receipt of radioactive mixed waste

authority from EPA .

4 . Radioactive mixed waste land disposal facilities obtaining

interim status in authorized States must submit the State

analogue of the Part B permit application and required

groundwater monitoring certification within 12 months of the

effective date of State authorization to regulate mixed

waste .

5 . Facilities other than land disposal must submit Part B permit

applications in accordance with deadlines established by the

State .

6 . TSDF owners and operators handling radioactivemixed waste must obtain an EPA Identification Number

by submitting EPA Notification Form 8700-12 to the

appropriate EPA Regional Office .

C : STATES WITH BASE AUTHORIZATION AND WITH RADIOACTIVE MIXED

WASTE AUTHORITY

1 . States with EPA radioactive mixed waste authorization on

September 23,1988 have full authority to establishregulations, requirements and deadlines for facilities

handling radioactive mixed waste . Radioactive mixed waste

facilities within these States must make sure that they are

aware of and comply with all appropriate State rules .

2. Facilities that operate in states receiving EPA mixed waste

authorization after September 23, 1988 must submit a RCRA

Part A application in accordance with either specific State

deadlines, or no later than six months after the State's

receipt of mixed waste authority from EPA. State deadlines

may be more stringent than the six month requirement.

BNA04084677

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Federal Register vol . 53, No. 165 1 Friday. September 23, 1988 I Notices 37045

subject to theauthorised hazardous waste tender the facility lrequirements to Lave a permit under

to to include authority to regulate section menu (21 the owner or operatorCbfttmdm Cos_

. Abele. ue: APB 15. 1 9• Its ex

`s

Co ubc t eel FR AelJr. 955-41M P lies with the noti fi cation-

4Re•Revie+r radioacti ve mixed waste . owners and comp

~o of RCRA :published de i1-13-67 operators must then comply with uftemmts of section

submits aperiod extended. applicable State requirementi regardrr►v amend (31 the owner

aoperato

r PT. Nationwide Biological USF Defense Interim status. RCRA Part A permit application (40 CFR

RAT. Nation grae ,e-

tOctober 4, 1068. South Carolina,Tenn es see.c

col, Interim sis retained until

Implementation, D

uam, Continuation To date. faun States [t.e- Coau

d lOradsr•envy or

status atu authorized State makes a

A4 decision to haze or deny the finaloa have been authorized to theentContact CFRrier baser 1301 b43r Od mate dioactive mixed wastes. ID

must tot

El

l published FR svie those States , owners and operators ~F~~ded by section 30oe(b) ofNo.

extended, with the applicable State law ItC A. States may capplytio to EPA for

w* hitzm DS National F Ost M. comply interim status for radioactive star and enforce

Wallowa Whitman National Forest. mi e dwaste au

thorirationwastee pro

tatestringent than the otherwise applicable

plan. mixed waste Iscili ti es If it it morl cable a bazardom A11thonu Stat e

Additional Alterna

gram pursuant to

land and Resourcestive. MaI Implementation. Subtitle C of RCRA

Baker, Union Wallowa. Grant . MalbouT Idaho OR and Adams. Provisions of this notice- Programs are carried out lieu Sof EPA.

s wast

e Nez

of Solid Wastes final hazardouswaste program . O f

McMillan 1211368, Contact Bruceprotectio

n iAg Envirartments] histreet SW . . these forty-four States. only four (L4-

McMillan 523 319. 382-2221• Colorado. South Carolina . Tennessee,

Published d F F52.3

. R 9 t~88_ .Review period Washington. DC 20460. 12D2)have received the

extended, incorrect date published in 9- OLWMAMUff NV ORtu►nost and Washington)addi ti onal authonsation needed to

9-66 FR A sadcg2otmd regulate radioactive mixed waste . In

Dated : September >n.1Da6In 1976, The Resourra Conservation &at States. which had bse progra m

CtA1 as amended• tlon by July had base the State'sFit and Recovery Alt for development authorize status for mixedDepvfy

Directo rDeputy Dirrlon a of Federal Mt+r t,rei passed to provide enent regula

tions on laltrim

in Doc. tae-naez Flied s-12,41& 145 amt and Lmplementatioo of a compnh Mute facilities control.

sauce coot _._ program to protecthuman health mad • e other forty States with baseprogram authorization must still revise

the environment from theit their existing programs to include

management of hazardous waails.ste.

late the hazardoustt Rt .-i4s3-iI _ Specifically. Subtitle C of RCRA creates authority to regulate

rest system intended to ensure component of radioactive mixed waste .

Hazardous of kneelers States - a manage Nc twelve States and trust territories

Rualific tivi axed e+t►e• for >A9 that hazardous wasafely lo frnalm~ erscan Samoa .

µszardous Components ol from the point of generation ti-e . Alaska' American Samoa, Idaho .

disposal . To acomplish this. Subtitle C t:alifornl,• Conr iRadioacliva Yt:ed W assts

. requires the Agency first to define and Iowa . Marianna na I Ohio . Puerto

dous waste . SecA> . a.mc . Environmental Protection characterize hazar Rico . Virgin Islands . sl llslan& and Wyoming)

out their ownAgency (}PA). hazardous waste manifest system was unauthorised to carr y

XCTXM clarification notice . implemented to track the movement of RCRA hazardous wast e Agency JU pm ra act t oradioactive mixed waste is gram

. rn

~Aoay publishing aachon venera ti on to ultimate disposal . Federal hazardous waste regulatio

~ (EPA) ) is s toda ywhich clarifies req dispose

for traln

nsp dorten must

employ appropriate I•listoricaliy substantial confusionnotice w transporters mainfacilities that that, store or ispo practices and pedures a hR ave t o surroun dhazared the

hazardousradioactive mixed waste 10 obtain m ►r'agem eleffective operation of the asnd nr bi ta

interim status pursuant to endue C of man f~system Third . owners and wastes containinS certain radioactiv

e the• special nuclear or

materials (l.e. . nScertain

the Resource es aclM operators hies ant. storage or

Recovery Act (RCRA). DFs must comply

sl facilities [TS ] established byprod mate ial oas defined f i9uas ,mended

mixed wastes

are

are wall es that contain epos at may Atomic Energy Act both hazardouswaste subject to RCRA under section

r sectI ron

ds 3 t00h

4he

of R that Agency (0

8 ASta t tomic 923)1 This uncertaint y 195" as

Additioaafiy be aecesary to protect bum"health stemmed, to a large enter iclelatandand radioctive waste subject to the

und stemmed sourza

addigy

rcAct [ )' and the envtmmneuL" Iles" standards of the defu% tio u exclusio

n this noticehandlers of -notification-Atomic Ener Ctiea are implemented exclusively Mm an d byproduct materiel from

requirementa for handlers of ndiw permits Issued to TS DF own -laerd of solid waste under section iteo4(T7l of

mixed ruts. • tors of fstilltid operators by the Ag are Issue RSA- responsibilities withDAM Owners and o

isStates. Until final permits To elan[y State m onenis of

in g of treatment. storage . and di pothe~jnter~ regard to the 11823 P

treating, storing, 01 0• ~cilities must comply radioactive mled waste, the EP

A tot au ne

n

radioactive mlxeptemsber M .1States 9U not

f published a notic exed in the Feder 1•pthoarised Abylta September mostly CO • Register of July 5.1986 (51 FRadminister the Feder a,~l wool submi

t waste m ,'• *'h were prod CFR }list notice recognized that States ba

d

by r Part licatlon to EPA M+Y d19 198D er RC • interim status, the ownerRCRA prA permit aPP ner RCRA o rats

not previously been suthorized underalit for interim R~ to regu ate radioactive debate

by Msrch 1,3 .1989 to qu y ~. of operator of aTSDFmay, e fac ty wast e

urrounbding ecaus

e the of c extent of ontinuin Rg

$letus. Facilities treating. storing ve without a final permit it, (11sog wastedisposing of radioactive mixed waste In existed on November 19

.1980 (or section over this catcg ~'

Slates lbat received aud"Or'zit'o'nje existed on ~e anges didaer RCCRA that ~'September re23

, gulations 8 aret not vubStet or regulator

y RCFtA regulations until the State tevlses clh

. . _ •

l u l l uuu iBNA04084678

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•87046 Tederal Register / . Vol. 5 31 .41b, .'185 / Friday,'Septembe r 23.•1988 I Noticei

Through that notice . EPA clarified Its .position that the hazardous -oomponent ( s) of mixed Waite wassubject to RCRA regula ti on.Accordingly. States were requi red torevise their existing hazardous wasteprograms and apply for RCRAauthorizati on to regulate radioacti ve -mixed waste in accordance with thedeadlines set forth in the July 3, 1986noti ce. Similarly , such authority mustnow be sought by States Initially -submitting an applica tion for RCRAfinal authorization. - • '

Sin ce publica tion of the July 3. 1066no tice , the Agen cy p romulgated newdeadlines for State hazardous wasteprogram modifica tions ( the "ClusterRule ." September 22, 1988 . 51 FR 33712).This subsequent rulemaking establishedannual deadlines for States to submitprogram changes in groups or clusterswhen seeking Agency authoriza ti on. ForState program changes occurring afterJune 19'34 the groups or dusters were tocorrespond to successive twelve-monthperiods beginning each July 7 andending J une 30 of the following ye ar. Inaccordan ce with the scheduleestablished by the Cluster Rule, Stateswhich app lied for final autho rizati onbefore July 3, 19M were required torevise existing ha zardous wasteprograms to include the authori ty toregulate the hazardous component ofradioactive mixed waste by July 1. IM(or by July I. IM if a statutoryamendment is necessary) . StatesInitially seeking final authori zation afterJuly 3. 1987 we re required to seekauthorization for radioactive mixedwaste as part of their application forfinal authorization. Any State applyingfor HSWA co rrective ac ti on mus tconcurren tly seek authority forradioactive mixed waste . The July 3.1986 notice addressing RCRA'sappli cabili ty to TSDFs handlingradioac ti ve mixed waste did not.however , address the issue of interimstatus.

IR Clari fication of the De finition ofByprodu ct Material

At the some time that EPA's rulesgove rn ing State programs forradioac ti ve mixed waste we re beingdeveloped and implementedcontrove rs y a rose over which wastesare mixed and there fo re subject toRCRA and which wastes are pure"byproduct material" and thereforeexempt from RCRA regula tions asprovided by section 1004( 27). Todelineate RCRA applicability to theirbyproduct material waste streams, theDepartment of Energy (DOE) issued aninterp re tive rule on May 1 .1987 (52 FR'15937). In that rule DOE stated that the

term byproduct material ai It applies to they are handling radioac ti ve 'mixed,DOE-owned wastes (i.e., any waste . . . - - -radioactive mate rial except special --- -'Ilse July 1. 1088 noti ce addressingnuclear material yielded in or made RCRA 's applicability to TSOFs handlingradioactive by exposure to the radiation radioactive mixed was te did not addressincident to the process of producing or the Issue of Interim status . Given that'U tilizing special nuclear material ) re fers omission and subsequent definitionalonly to the actu al radionuclides clarifications on which radioa ctivedispersed or suspended lathe w as te • waste st reams a re subject to RCRAsubstance. That interpretation Is regulation. EPA has determined thatconsistent with the posi tion Issued on substantial confusion about interimJanua ry 41987 by the EP6 and the status requirements existed. ThefJuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) primary purpose of this no ti ce , the re fore .In a document en ti tled "Guidan ce on the Is to clarify RCRA interim statusDefini ti on and identification of : . ' requirements with respect to TSDFsCommercial Mixed Low-Level • managing radioactive mixed waste. TheRadioactive and Hazardous Waste and requiremen ts are discussed below.

Answers to Anticipated Ques tions ." - - G Regcrireaxsnl That Facilities Be .'in7be re fore, as DOE cl arified in I ts May 1. E><istenoe"1087 byproduct rile, any matrixcontaining a RCRA ha za rdous waste as Inte rim status p ro vides temporary '

defined in 40 CFR 261 and a radioactive authorization to continue hazardous

waste subject to the AEA Is a . ' waste management activi ti es at

radioacti ve mixed waste. Such wastes facilities engaging in such activi ties at

are subject to RCRA haza rdo us waste the time that ey first become subject

regula ti ons regardless of further to RCRA regulation. Without interim

subclassi fica ti on of the radioactive status, the acti vi ties would have to

waste constituent as high-level, low.' cease unt il a permit appli ca tion was

level, transuranic; etc. Ned and reviewed and final perm it

C. Interim StatusIssued

One of the conditions for qualifying

As discussed p reviously . RCRA for inte ri m status under secti on 3005(e)

section 3005( a) prohibits treatment, is that the facility be "in existence"storage . or disposal of hazardo us waste • either on November 19, 2980 or on thewithout a permit after November 19, date of the regulatory or statuto ry

1980. However, sec ti on 3005 (e) of RC2 .A change which first subjects the facility -

provi des that facili ti es in existence on to RCRA porlQUitting re quiremen ts. Under

November IL 29W or on the date of - EPA regulations at 40 CFR 2e0.10 and

statutory or regulatory changes which 2701. to be In existen ce" (i .e ., to be an

subject the facili ty to RCRA existing ha za rdous waste management

requirements. may continue treatment. facili ty or existing facility] means that .

storage, or disposal under "interim the facility is either operating or

status" pending a final decision on Its construction of such a facility has

permit application. ' To qualify for commenced on the re levant data.

interim status under section 3005 (e), the As applied to facilities handlingowner or operator of a TSDF in radioactive mixed waste in Statesexistence must submit a Part A permit unautho rized to implement a hazardous

application and meet appli cable waste program (i.e., without base

noti fication requirements under section program authorization) as of the date of

3010 of RCRA. - this notice. EPA be lieves that facilities

EPA has become aware that many to operation or under construction as

TSDFs handling radioactive mixed radioac tive mixed waste treatment

waste, both in authorized and storage , or disposal facilities on July 3 .

unauthorized States (EPA -administered 1986 may qualify for inte rims to R~~

ha zardous waste programs), have been under section 3005 ( e)()( )(ii)

substanti ally confused about thr ; The Agency interprets this provision a s

lalorryy status of their particular mix applying to such facilities I nn existence8

of azardous waste. Further , these on J ul y 3. 1986 beca use the July 3.1988

owners and operato rs are unce

rtain notice was EPA's first official

shout how to qualify for interim stat us U pronounce ment to the general publicthat RGRA permitting require ments are

I Nowever. Ke fr II bas p.~►o4+•1y tied w . appli ca ble to radioac tive mixed waste.

interim suns terminated the [[.duty 1, barred by in view of the level of confusion

statute tics qualihina for totarim status foe a newly surrounding regulation of radioactive

Noted waste (RCRA sec ti on =(eltip. V orb mixed waste prior to that time, EPA will

ce rt ain ualls at the fac ility have pee .1y tied treat the July 3.1986 notice as theInterim st atus terminated then the lb mayoperee e ncwlyreautaled units ender interimltataa relevant reguisto ry change for

establishing that facilities in existence10" 40 crit ZM?4

BNA04084679

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IFederal Register I Vol. 13 . No. 185 / Friday. September 23. 19W / Notices 37047

on that dale may qualify for interim - which is the trigger for I VQ10(e) instatus it other applicable requirements normal circumstances . As a result.are met. owners and operators In iOautborize d

Facilities trea ti ng, storing . or States could legitimately have beendisposing of radioactive mixed waste confused as to whether (and when) theybut not other hazardous waste In a Sta te . , were required to submit a Part A permitwith base program authoriza tion are not application. Under l 270.1o (e)(2). EPAsubject to RCRA regula tion until the finds that the confus ion is substantialState program Is revised and authorized and is attributable primarily to(1)to issue RCRA permits for radioactive ambiguities surrounding the 40 C FRmixed waste . The e ffective date of the parts 200-255 regulatory status of mixedState's re ce ipt of radioactive mixed waste, (2) the narrow scope of the July 1,waste regulatory authoriza tion from ioee no ti ce and (3) uncertainty regardingEPA will therefore be the regulatory DOE's final definition of byproductchange that subjects these TSDI"s to materi al which had direct bearing onRCRA permitting requirements . Any RCRA appli cabili ty to Federally-ownedfacility treating. storint or disposing of radioacti ve mixed wastes and indirectradioac ti ve mixed waste , or any such - bearing on co mmercial radioactive -facility at which construction mixed wastes. .commenced by the effective date of EPA, therefore , is exercising itsauthorization for the State's radioactive authority today under ! 27Ri0(e)(2) 1 omixed waste program revision may extend the Part A permit app lica ti onqualify for interim states if the other filing dates for owners and operators ofrequirements described below are met. facili ti es handling radi oactive mixedHowever , owners and operators of waste in unauthorized States. OwnersTSDF. in authorized States are subject and operators of radi oactive mixedto all applicable State laws . A State can waste facili ti es in opera tion or underestablish its own date for qua!Jfyin 'for cons truc ti on as of July 1, 1998 (See 45 FRinte rim status but, In order to be no less 33066, May 19, 19W) in unauthorizedstringent than the Federal program, that States must submit RCRA Part A permitdate may not be after the effec tive date spDlications or modifications within sixof z.i a authoriza tion to me Mate to months of the date of publi cation ofregu la te radioactive mixed waste. today's no tice to qualify for interimSome facilities In States with base status . This Is predicated on theprogram authori za tion as of July S,

under Agen cy's determina ti on that the timemay already have interim status under periods speci

fi ed in ; 270. 10(e) arehh lRCRA be cause they e otand er RtatA triggered as of the date of publication ofhazardous wastes . These fa cilities - this notice given the circumstancesshould submit a revised Part A permit presented herein . It should be noted .application re fl ecting their radioactive however

, that radioactive mixed wastemixed waste ac tivi ties within sixland di emonths of the State's receipt of posal fa cilities must also submit

authorization for radioactive trttxed a find (Part B) permit applica ti on and

waste. certification of compliance withapplicable ground- water monitoring and

2 Requirements to File a Permit . . financial assuran ce requirements withinApplication twelve months from the date of this

To quality for interim status under notice pursuant to sec tion 3005(e)f3) ofRCRA section 3005 (e) (1), the owner or •RCRA. Failure to do so may result inoperator of an "existing" facili ty must loss of Interim status for the affectedsubmit a Part A permit applica tiaa units and possibly for the facility . -Under 40 CFR 27o .10(e) . existing • Facilities other than land disposal mustfacili ti es in unauthorized States must submit Part B of the permit appli ca tionsubmit Part A of their permit application in accordance with deadlinesno later than six months after the data estab li shed by the EPA Regional Offcs .of "publication or regula tions" which . Mixed waste TSDFs in States withfirs t require them to comply with base program authorization musttechnical standards, or thirty days after , comply with applicable Statethey fi rs t become subject to the • requirements and deadlines fortechnical standards , whichever Is first "abtaining interim stat us as prescribed InAlthough the J uly 3. 19W notice clarified. ' uthorized Stale law. .Radioac ti ve mixedRCRA jurisdiction over radioac tive - • T . aste land disposal facilities obtaining

.'mined waste. it specificallyy addressed • interim status In authorized States areonly the Issue of State sutho rizatios.' nevertheless subject to the sectionAppli ca tion of the time periods speci fied a ~005(e)(3) one -y.tar provision on loss ofIn 40 CFR 270.10( e) to facilitieslocatsd : .• interim status for newly-listed wastesIn, unauthorized States was not • : ;,;: - '17ius , the owners or operators of lushaddressed. Furthermore , the July 11,.1986 fecfli (iei must submit the State analog' seenotice was technically not a regula ti on. ; yy=the. p4i•t 11 pertrjit- appli,alioP and t e

required certifi cations within twelvemonths of the effective date of theState's authorization to regulateradioactive mixed waste. Failure to •submit the Part B permit application orthe required certifications win result inloss of interim status for the affectedunits and possibly for the facility.Facili ties other than land disposal mustsubmit the Part B permit appli ca tion inaccordance with deadlines establishedby the authorized State program.

S. Requirement to Comply With section8010 Notification

The final condition for obtaininginte ri m status under section 3005(e) ofRCRA Is notification of hazardous wasteactivity under section 3010 (a) of RCRA .Sec ti on 3010(a) requires personshandling hazardous wastes at the timeof publi cation of EPA 's Initial hazardouswaste regula tions ( on May 19.1980) tonotify EPA of their hazardous wasteac ti vity within 90 days ( i .e . by AugustIS, 1980) . Secti on 3010( a) also allows theAdministrator discre tion on whether torequire pe rs ons to provide such 'no tifi ca ti on not later than 90 days afterpromulgation or regulations identifying isubstance they handle as hazardo uswaste thereby p roviding EPA with acurrent picture of the hazardous wasteuniverse .

Although many faciliti es currentlytreating, storing. or disposing ofradioactive mixed waste were doing soin May 1980. EPA believes that thestatus of radioac ti ve mixed waste wassufficiently unclear that no notificati onunder secti on 3010( a] was required byAugust IS, 19W for facilities handlingsuch waste (See 45 FR 76831 .3. .November 19.1980 ) . Nor has notifica tionsubsequently been required as part of:TA promulga tion of additional RCR A

gulations . Therefore . EPA hasdetermined that it is unreasonable topenalize owners and operators offacilities currently handling radioactivemixed waste for any failure to filenotifi cati on under Secti on 3070.

Further , EPA finds that TSDFs have"complied with the requirements ofsection 3010( a)" for purposes of section1005( e) interi m status under 40 CFR2:70.70(a)(1). This finding is predicatedlargel on the fact that radioactivemixedwaste will not be subject tohazardous waste regulations in the vastmajori ty of States until they revise theirprograms to include such authority .'I tese program revisions could take amtJuly 3, 1989. for States needing a -statutory amendment Because 'no ti fication would be linked toradioac ti ve mixed waste authorizationtor'these States, receipt of thi s

1E1BNA04084680

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. 19~f that imPlementatios f

53, ~ti5 l rer,i sin totsty' Vol. ar VA

gsderdR 'It►e Agency art of the dwlreg - waste w►erseachieved, radioactive mb`stsn us

waste is ed to Te~umpsrdablradioactive xt toboth

sets of regrs 2~!rni8ht re

suwith~agmenied • States authoriz ad desibla•

Sotznstion would be has been a!^te:e tflixed waste to a+plementingty ' eomplianuessmte but un lased

, the Agency is not only EPA ~4es the TOPo»ctiu v+hen i " ' . ,

itude of the p°tentld ivetse fC zardous waste P}Ogram . ,tbrsfore, bring to our alt Whicloieover cbaWI the map

named waste C and lstetx7 .""(~ ~e Atoms. ,,MunitY UD 1 Inconsistencyadiw NR ramie, 6 Coos uses of ecru tote ruleM&Wftmn,t time since each Is y„~e• 11d _ scifiutlon nodes the basis forof Policy rinds

Agreementstate iincensee lion of the " `. cormdtoactive tnix public

RCRA a 41l ►ubli littt" , smd)or Isobarsa.isepSPPhandier ofurther aotificsiiaire df

to or der addressi~ Dated S :to = S regulated tea~ua ,

dert Tfl(s

)[1

1is req of radioactive boo themixed waste p L•~ss, nml~s ,d;aa ••

vo- sting, Storing uglify lot variety of concern ich reflected up'lot facilities

isposiof mixed waste

to 4 vmers community, most of R PPgram' • Admhvstrotor. 6nr 0"me

However, TSOF o about the ummotdl 0800• T&d 4.-dinterim Status- like generator 's and wants. 14

Confusionunit two issues e

:rc ropriaten"s low •; PR oohand operators , djosctive mix • Ko nmdY(il ov 'lations

raised. th s Ter

omen of to basirdous wau ~. ,transp EPA lde th containing = _. - •. . . - .must obtain an

~A the g5Si it ° C1l n ing waste „3,sst-tls6on it),

Numberns

sec t tea CFR 2radioactiv

e forma ~components

end.result is - ~gsS71~

ive ardour S+rbatanoame • RCPA °ad~ntp(ianu withr°c do not already have be obtained i

ptheY . Number may lion Form •, Violation of a basc lthat of k Plog To~><~^emtesls Pre!!upttfiu A ement, low tod pmt

pcation

ietin8 sPA N ►Stthe are where

waste man s as moot" .v~Qmentel pro i0°pp-12 and submit ►rng to tl"' EP radiation exposure

67ori

el OfGu servint reasonablyachieve

ipe P( ,a the

~A > EftRep r does waste activi

tyis 1 Mese conce Jowly re

AOe ncy (EPA),the hats w the NRC toy . an eSort

toNottee •

Regulationof ~~Oecd

_ restive regulations In ~nsistenclas ACTIW- ToAc

U .Mixed 10 w j a singledelineateShe extent of Ln NgSte and Y.section 5(al(il of

rehous Y• Aa hazardous meat iuMµ~ • Control Act nil tostated p am is between dive waste Managee were Substan

ces, person who intends dal

radioactive mixed waste s aisle QCs radio No inoonsistenra sdsoa requires anytwo rep or i>z1Po~ a ewnufactur!facture mil a prerua 90 dayscct to reg+?lation by and NRC, of rtquimmeTk -result of this eoiuP live menu

.. ntified as more Presetip bstan ce 1o sub A atleastSul ederal agenc ies (ia •• EPA ulatory ide otoE 't'his dual cSBuaste h RCRA wae re

neesla . . ' WfEPA and bO 1' handlers NRC althoug stan ces and ed >Dlfferini or ao tio m ulfaclute of Qients for

some noticeslattons do so , Statutory

system req,11 mt en~ywere observ enceslusive th LCbRA

eat MO ttp ►anufact►>republishedSormerlY re g`ilated

CS17iii8 . nstitute inconKSteot

- ction a1~11 the ILA& 3.1983OE to also complyous waste more ussed slat oSDAaYorDt ulaiiorv lot

hazardous m 'A ntoessar ly co example, the It ate discu

leg a tment , SPA is co ut re rneats • Fantatner s ► anagemea 71 the federal Re's announces

man g, IMPect of RCftA for feq of co 61 and in -this notice . sandthe

tninimizut8 developing a strata(,Yd shuns ($et 10 CFR Past n revealed J48- I of

bt sa~►Pt~ t

• legmanons by dioactive Psti 264, Subp cis of " receipt of ortyeig as 6ary oft cguiation oS ro m and 40 C ~vere

d different ape adsODA Provides aoseo~ eieeriod

s►ni r Ct row eName C rtgul November

• wastes that wiU a e least bard ~~ ~tner management NR TES C~ W100.N' g lp4 ' implementation in conta re qutrements `oolaal

clr(in

at

clntp ea-i~e, W1

cscticabls oadwe mixed provide i z• 1988- : ber 23, 7988•manner p or land dipd-absotbe poveID ss-

r , pre tsof the ndl I'S whiff may placem of fill an, Uq . p 8y18e'

1• IEBZ• 0-ieB it!

reg~►latory ar~ng occur wbeo lye use 61.51 and10CfR d>i^, 5, ,

waste if s~ or-bazardow maLerialsl (fie 10 C laiioru pr°vida p W1653. 0_ ML , a 18~ 1Llend itse t o requirements +p 44) while

E ph re$u s 11g7, x.1893,anagement are visions tot

thede 1821• 88-tegul° site 1W0.

and radioactrvcn this OGMUS . PresaiPdYe p lion of containhow $pl1U iti9$, Novem tie-

ii duplicative govern" we, and in! C desuibe 1> 1898 • ~►-it~ 19~• ~"

nagement may storage facc~utd re millgated. Wttt6'~, X1909• 19pg, eburnplisnce with

rregulations1907

wasta e m nmtntal from e storage areasNODoa

!tars . 19M 88-190e• >wig .November V.e to of envii

o ~~nen ;~ ~~ agencieshav ewasteratio! e

btranspod wets So ig10.m lisp a level toa ecuon that ire maybe RCRA asginil and uirements 1909 ,

a. November -d under t the reoato ry It rather tom' p 91Z.11b'1913• ~"a

lementary Y:. :

with that requ emen mpwaste rnana8 to be pobese~tn such instances

. f'.PA eonfli

cthoNRC and EPA waste ~ . 13, 1984 . 1910 0-1917• L922- W

versa- tenttstbls , differ P 88-1 0- 88-197

2the e %

alre° dy Vote rwL meat tsgula~onthe lechnloAl

W11921 .!919, 0-1920,, Nova scrap ~8on

-PC1d-19f'1' 48'ofproces&4 RCRA 1923 .toowhen Cane assn sing • °1* atrtingen~a were

WPe- t loonsNRC d tS grits M(al 988t '

.tober a•wilt• rep' Section s west - 1 nts byNlortovet .Ep oS develoin8 a lou

the feasibility Pmll that nsistent lld or hazerdw tten Goome~. 1 OcJliunstng Su estiona rteludea any A or a State ther Is

is oof Won.0- 8t1.JdanCe

permitt~ l are concerns . u88 regarding Pr~ulation b with the tt4u &` AA -- p &a?pctoUr z4••10~'

igo&m 1nststen chinstan r̀id the ' ' p►ddres

=I'Msed Com

lrprri the ulcements an ilting •titco to su 1881 , ig84 ,8_fells.

duplicati of the ltcensinglpern'Id wou 1A tike prectdence n,ent WOU . p 88-1nts shoo ..

~ 1 tstent RCM `simp welcome , ent bow .lificatton

7&azaroaesil a c an d

euivalent Pro

BNA0408468 1

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