98-942. Florida: Final Authorization of State Hazardous Waste Management Program Revisions  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 14, 1998)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 2167-2170]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-942]
    
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    
    40 CFR Part 271
    
    [FRL-5948-2]
    
    
    Florida: Final Authorization of State Hazardous Waste Management 
    Program Revisions
    
    AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
    
    ACTION: Immediate final rule; authorization of State-initiated changes.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: Florida has revised its hazardous waste program under the 
    Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The Environmental 
    Protection Agency (EPA) has reviewed Florida's changes to its program 
    and has made a decision, subject to public review and comment, that 
    Florida's hazardous waste program revisions satisfy all of the 
    requirements necessary to qualify for final authorization. Unless 
    adverse written comments are received during the review and comment 
    period provided for public participation in this process, EPA intends 
    to approve Florida's hazardous waste program revisions. Florida's 
    program revisions are available for public review and comment.
    
    DATES: Final authorization for Florida's program revisions shall be 
    effective March 16, 1998, unless EPA publishes a prior Federal Register 
    action withdrawing this immediate final rule. All comments on Florida's 
    program revisions must be received by the close of business February 
    13, 1998.
    
    ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Narindar Kumar, RCRA 
    Programs Branch, Waste Division, Environmental Protection Agency, 
    Atlanta Federal Center, 61 Forsyth Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30303. 
    Telephone number is 404-562-8440.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Narindar Kumar, RCRA Programs Branch, 
    Waste Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Atlanta Federal 
    Center, 61 Forsyth Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30365. Telephone number is 
    404-562-8440.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    I. Authorization of State Initiated Changes
    
    A. Background
    
        States with final authorization under Section 3006(b) of the 
    Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (``RCRA'' or ``the Act''), 42 
    U.S.C. 6926(b), have a continuing obligation to maintain a hazardous 
    waste program that is equivalent to, consistent with, and no less 
    stringent than the Federal hazardous waste program. In addition, as an 
    interim measure, the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984 (Pub. 
    L. 98-616, November 8, 1984, hereinafter ``HSWA'') allow States to 
    revise their programs to become substantially equivalent instead of 
    equivalent to RCRA requirements promulgated under HSWA authority. 
    States exercising the latter option receive ``interim authorization'' 
    for the HSWA requirements under Section 3006(g) of RCRA, 42 U.S.C. 
    6926(g), and later apply for final authorization for the HSWA 
    requirements.
        Revisions to State hazardous waste programs are necessary when 
    Federal or State statutory or regulatory authority is modified or when 
    certain other changes occur. Most commonly, State program revisions are 
    necessitated by changes to EPA's regulations in 40 CFR Parts 124, 260 
    through 266, 268, 270, 273, and 279.
    
    B. Florida
    
        Florida initially received final authorization to implement its 
    hazardous waste program on January 29, 1985, effective February 12, 
    1985 (see 50 FR 3908). Florida received final authorization for 
    revisions to its program in notices published in the Federal Register 
    on December 1, 1987, effective January 30, 1988 (see 52 FR 45634); on 
    September 8, 1988, effective October 30, 1988 (see 53 FR 34759); on 
    December 16, 1988, effective January 3, 1989 (see 53 FR 50529); on 
    December 14, 1990, effective February 12, 1991
    
    [[Page 2168]]
    
    (see 55 FR 51416); on February 5, 1992, effective April 6, 1992 (see 57 
    FR 4370 and 57 FR 4371); on February 7, 1992, effective April 7, 1992 
    (see 57 FR 4738); on May 20, 1992, effective July 20, 1992 (see 57 FR 
    21351); on November 9, 1993, effective January 10, 1994 (see 58 FR 
    59367); on July 11, 1994, effective September 9, 1994 (see 59 FR 
    35266); on August 16, 1994, effective October 17, 1994 (see 59 FR 
    41979); on October 26, 1994, effective December 27, 1994 (see 59 FR 
    53753); and on April 1, 1997, effective June 2, 1997 (see 62 FR 15407). 
    With respect to today's notice, Florida has made conforming changes to 
    make its regulations internally consistent relative to the revisions 
    made for the above listed authorizations. Florida has also changed its 
    regulations to make them more consistent with the Federal requirements.
        EPA has reviewed these changes and has made an immediate final 
    decision, in accordance with 40 CFR 271.21(b)(3), that Florida's 
    hazardous waste program revisions satisfy all of the requirements 
    necessary to qualify for final authorization. Consequently, EPA intends 
    to grant final authorization for the additional program modifications 
    to Florida's hazardous waste program. The public may submit written 
    comments on EPA's immediate final decision until February 13, 1998. 
    Copies of Florida's program revisions are available for inspection and 
    copying at the locations indicated in the ADDRESSES section of this 
    notice.
        Approval of Florida's program revision shall become effective in 60 
    days unless an adverse comment pertaining to the State's revision 
    discussed in this notice is received by the end of the comment period. 
    If an adverse comment is received EPA will publish either (1) a 
    withdrawal of the immediate final decision or (2) a notice containing a 
    response to comments which either affirms that the immediate final 
    decision takes effect or reverses the decision.
        Florida will be authorized to carry out, in lieu of the Federal 
    program, the following State-initiated changes to provisions of the 
    State's program, which are analogous to the indicated Resource 
    Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) provisions found at Title 40 of 
    the Code of Federal Regulations or in RCRA.
    
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        State provision                                         Federal provision                   
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      119.011 (2), (3)(c)5, (3)(d)2, (4), Florida Statutes   RCRA 3006(f).                                          
       (FS) 1993.                                                                                                   
      119.07 (1) (a)-(c), (3) (a)-(j), (3)(k)1 first         RCRA 3006(f), 40 CFR 2.104(b).                         
       sentence, (3)(n), (3)(o), (3)(p) 5th and 6th                                                                 
       sentences, (5), FS 1993.                                                                                     
      119.14 FS 1993.......................................  RCRA 3006(f).                                          
      120.53 FS 1993.......................................  40 CFR 124.10 (c)&(e).                                 
      120.57 FS 1993.......................................  40 CFR 124.12, 124.17.                                 
      120.59 FS 1993.......................................  40 CFR 124.17.                                         
      120.68 FS 1993.......................................  RCRA 3006(f), 40 CFR part 2, subpart A.                
      403.087(1), second & third sentences FS 1993.........  RCRA 3005 (a)&(d).                                     
      403.091 FS 1993......................................  RCRA 3007(a).                                          
      403.703(3) FS 1993...................................  RCRA 1004(13).                                         
      403.703(9) FS 1993...................................  RCRA 1004(22).                                         
      403.703(13) FS 1993..................................  40 CFR 260.10, 261.2.                                  
      403.703(18) FS 1993..................................  40 CFR 270.2.                                          
      403.703(21) FS 1993..................................  RCRA 1004(5), 40 CFR 261.3.                            
      403.703(24) FS 1993..................................  40 CFR 260.10.                                         
      403.724(1) (except corrective action clause) FS 1993.  RCRA 3004(t)(1).                                       
      403.724 (2), (3), FS 1993............................  RCRA 3004(t)(1).                                       
      403.726(2) FS 1993...................................  40 CFR 264.4.                                          
      403.726 (4)-(7) FS 1993..............................  40 CFR 270.61.                                         
      62-103.150 & .155 Florida Administrative Code          40 CFR 124.10 (c)&(e).                                 
       (F.A.C.) as amended October 20, 1996.                                                                        
      62-730.021(1)(b) F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995.  40 CFR 260.21.                                         
      62-730.021(1)(c) F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995.  40 CFR 260.40 and 40 CFR 260.41.                       
      62-730.160(4) F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995....  40 CFR part 262, Appendix instructions.                
      62-730.160(5) F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995....  40 CFR 262.41(a).                                      
      62-730.170(1) F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995....  40 CFR part 263.                                       
      62-730.180(3) F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995....  40 CFR 264.112(c) (1)&(2), 264.118(d) (1)&(2), 264.141,
                                                              264.147, 264.151, 265.112(c) (3)&(4), 265.118(d)      
                                                              (3)&(4), 265.141, 265.147.                            
      62-730.180(7) F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995....  40 CFR 264.75 introductory paragraph, 40 CFR 265.75    
                                                              introductory paragraph.                               
      62-730.200(4) F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995....  40 CFR 265.1 (a)&(b).                                  
      62-730.200(6) F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995....  40 CFR 270.1(c)(4).                                    
      62-730.210(2)(c) F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995.  40 CFR 270.2.                                          
      62-730.220(4) F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995....  40 CFR 124.3 (c)&(d).                                  
      62-730.220(6) F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995....  40 CFR 270.11.                                         
      62-730.231(1) F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995....  40 CFR 270.70(a).                                      
      62-730.231(3) F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995....  40 CFR 270.71(b).                                      
      62-730.231(6) F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995....  40 CFR 270.70(c).                                      
      62-730.240(2) F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995....  40 CFR 270.73(d).                                      
      62-730.250(1) F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995....  40 CFR 270.10(f)(1).                                   
      62-730.260(6) F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995....  40 CFR 264.115.                                        
      62-730.270(1)(c)(2) F.A.C. as amended September 7,     40 CFR 270.1(c)(1) and 270.60(b)(2).                   
       1995.                                                                                                        
      62-730.270(3) F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995....  40 CFR 270.1(c)(2).                                    
      62-730.300(2) F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995....  40 CFR 270.72(a)(4); 270.40(b).                        
      62-730.310 F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995.......  40 CFR 260.2.                                          
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
    [[Page 2169]]
    
        In addition to the above listed changes, EPA is authorizing changes 
    to the following State provisions. These provisions do not have a 
    direct analog in the Federal RCRA regulations. However, none of these 
    provisions are considered broader in scope than the Federal program. 
    This is so because these provisions were either previously authorized 
    as part of Florida's base authorization or have been added to make the 
    State's regulations internally consistent with changes made for the 
    other authorizations listed in the first paragraph of this section. EPA 
    has reviewed these provisions and has determined that they are 
    consistent with and no less stringent than the Federal requirements.
        Additionally, this authorization does not affect the status of 
    State permits and those permits issued by EPA because no new 
    substantive requirements are a part of these revisions.
    
    State Provision
    
    119.041(2) Florida Statutes (FS) 1993
    403.021 (1)-(9) FS 1993
    403.051 (1)-(2) FS 1993
    403.087(4) FS 1993
    403.161 (1)(d), (4), FS 1993
    403.702(2) (i)-(p) FS 1993
    403.703 (2), (5), (6), (8), (10), (11), (14), (16), (17), (30), (32), 
    (34), (36), (40), (42)-(44), FS 1993
    403.7031 FS 1993
    403.74 (1), (3)-(5) FS 1993
    403.751(1) FS 1993
    403.7545 FS 1993
    62-4.070(5) Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) as amended July 4, 
    1995
    62-730.001 F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995
    62-730.020(4) F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995
    62-730.030(2), except (2)(c), F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995
    62-730.140 F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995
    62-730.150 (5)&(6), F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995
    62-730.171 (1), (2) introductory paragraph, (2)(c), and (2)(d), F.A.C. 
    as amended September 7, 1995
    62-730.180(5) F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995
    62-730.200 (1), (5), F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995
    62-730.210 (2)(b), (2)(d), F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995
    62-730.220 (2), (5), (7), (8), (10), (11), F.A.C. as amended September 
    7, 1995
    62-730.231 (2), (5), (8), (9)-(12), F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995
    62-730.250 (2), (3), (6), (7), F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995
    62-730.260(2) F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995
    62-730.320 F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995
    62-730.900, except (4)(a), (b)&(d), F.A.C. as amended September 7, 1995
    
        Some portions of Florida's revised program are broader in scope 
    than the Federal program, and thus, are not Federally enforceable. 
    These broader-in-scope provisions are 403.78 through 403.7893 FS 1993 
    and 403.7895 FS 1993.
        Florida is not authorized to operate the Federal program on Indian 
    lands. This authority remains with EPA.
    
    C. Decision
    
        I conclude that Florida's program revisions meet all of the 
    statutory and regulatory requirements established by RCRA. Accordingly, 
    Florida is granted final authorization to operate its hazardous waste 
    program as revised.
        Florida now has responsibility for permitting treatment, storage, 
    and disposal facilities within its borders and carrying out the aspects 
    of the RCRA program described in its revised program application, 
    subject to the limitations of the HSWA. Florida also has primary 
    enforcement responsibilities, although EPA retains the right to conduct 
    inspections under Section 3007 of RCRA and to take enforcement actions 
    under Section 3008, 3013 and 7003 of RCRA.
    
    D. Incorporation by Reference
    
        EPA uses Part 272 for codification of the decision to authorize 
    Florida's program and for incorporation by reference of those 
    provisions of Florida statutes and regulations that EPA will enforce 
    under Sections 3008, 3013 and 7003 of RCRA. Therefore, EPA is reserving 
    amendment of 40 CFR Part 272, (Subpart K) until a later date.
        The incorporation by reference of State authorized programs in the 
    CFR should substantially enhance the public's ability to discern the 
    current status of the authorized State program and clarify the extent 
    of Federal enforcement authority. This will be particularly true as 
    more State program revisions to adopt HSWA provisions are authorized.
    
    Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
    
        Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), Public 
    Law 104-4, establishes requirements for Federal agencies to assess the 
    effects of certain regulatory actions on State, local, and tribal 
    governments and the private sector. Under Sections 202 and 205 of the 
    UMRA, EPA generally must prepare a written statement of economic and 
    regulatory alternatives analyses for proposed and final rules with 
    Federal mandates, as defined by the UMRA, that may result in 
    expenditures to State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, 
    or to the private sector, of $100 million or more in any one year. The 
    Section 202 and 205 requirements do not apply to today's action because 
    it is not a ``Federal mandate'' and because it does not impose annual 
    costs of $100 million or more.
        Today's rule contains no Federal mandates for State, local or 
    tribal governments or the private sector for two reasons. First, 
    today's action does not impose new or additional enforceable duties on 
    any State, local or tribal governments or the private sector because it 
    merely makes federally enforceable existing requirements with which 
    regulated entities must already comply under State law. Second, the Act 
    also generally excludes from the definition of a ``Federal mandate'' 
    duties that arise from participation in a voluntary Federal program. 
    The requirements being codified today are the result of Florida's 
    voluntary participation in occordance with RCRA Subtitle C.
        Even if today's rule did contain a Federal mandate, this rule will 
    not result in annual expenditures of $100 million or more for State, 
    local, and/or tribal governments in the aggregate, or the private 
    sector because today's action merely codifies an existing State program 
    that EPA previously authorized. Thus, today's rule is not subject to 
    the requirements of Sections 202 and 205 of the UMRA.
        The requirements of Section 203 of UMRA also do not apply to 
    today's action. Before EPA establishes any regulatory requirements that 
    may significantly or uniquely affect small governments, including 
    tribal governments, section 203 of the UMRA requires EPA to develop a 
    small government agency plan. This rule contains no regulatory 
    requirements that might significantly or uniquely affect small 
    governments. The Agency recognizes that although small governments may 
    be hazardous waste generators, transporters, or own and/or operate 
    TSDFs, this codification incorporates into the Code of Federal 
    Regulations Florida's requirements which have already been authorized 
    by EPA under 40 CFR Part 271 and, thus, small governments are not 
    subject to any additional significant or unique requirements by virtue 
    of this codification.
    
    Certification Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act
    
        EPA has determined that this codification will not have a 
    significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
    Such small
    
    [[Page 2170]]
    
    entities which are hazardous waste generators, transporters, or which 
    own and/or operate TSDFs are already subject to the State requirements 
    authorized by EPA under 40 CFR Part 271. EPA's codification does not 
    impose any additional burdens on these small entities. This is because 
    EPA's codification would simply result in an administrative change, 
    rather than a change in the substantive requirements imposed on small 
    entities.
        Therefore, EPA provides the following certification under the 
    Regulatory Flexibility Act, as amended by the Small Business Regulatory 
    Enforcement Fairness Act. Pursuant to the provision at 5 U.S.C. 605(b), 
    I hereby certify that this codification will not have a significant 
    economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. This 
    codification incorporates ``State's'' requirements which have been 
    authorized by EPA under 40 CFR Part 271 into the Code of Federal 
    Regulations. It does not impose any new burdens on small entities. This 
    rule, therefore, does not require a regulatory flexibility analysis.
    
    Submission to Congress and the General Accounting Office
    
        Under 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A), as added by the Small Business 
    Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, EPA submitted a report 
    containing this rule and other required information to the U.S. Senate, 
    the U.S. House of Representatives and the Comptroller General of the 
    General Accounting Office prior to publication of the rule in today's 
    Federal Register. This rule is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 
    U.S.C. 804(2).
    
    Compliance With Executive Order 12866
    
        The Office of Management and Budget has exempted this rule from the 
    requirements of Section 6 of Executive Order 12866.
    
    Paperwork Reduction Act
    
        Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., Federal 
    agencies must consider the paperwork burden imposed by any information 
    request contained in a proposed rule or a final rule. This rule will 
    not impose any information requirements upon the regulated community.
    
    List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 271
    
        Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, 
    Confidential business information, Hazardous waste transportation, 
    Hazardous waste, Incorporation by reference, Indian lands, 
    Intergovernmental relations, Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping 
    requirements, Water pollution control, Water supply.
    
        Authority: This notice is issued under the authority of Sections 
    2002(a), 306 and 704(b) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act as amended 
    42 U.S.C. 6912(a), 6926, 6974(b).
    
        Dated: December 30, 1997.
    Phyllis Harris,
    Acting Regional Administrator, Region IV.
    [FR Doc. 98-942 Filed 1-13-98; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
3/16/1998
Published:
01/14/1998
Department:
Environmental Protection Agency
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Immediate final rule; authorization of State-initiated changes.
Document Number:
98-942
Dates:
Final authorization for Florida's program revisions shall be effective March 16, 1998, unless EPA publishes a prior Federal Register action withdrawing this immediate final rule. All comments on Florida's program revisions must be received by the close of business February 13, 1998.
Pages:
2167-2170 (4 pages)
Docket Numbers:
FRL-5948-2
PDF File:
98-942.pdf
CFR: (1)
40 CFR 271