2011-1794. Hazardous Waste Management System; Identification and Listing of Hazardous Waste; Proposed Rule

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

EPA is proposing to grant a petition submitted by Gulf West Landfill, TX, LP. (Gulf West) to exclude (or delist) the landfill leachate generated by Gulf West in Anahuac, Texas from the lists of hazardous wastes. EPA used the Delisting Risk Assessment Software (DRAS) Version 3.0 in the evaluation of the impact of the petitioned waste on human health and the environment.

DATES:

We will accept comments until February 28, 2011. We will stamp comments received after the close of the comment period as late. These late comments may or may not be considered in formulating a final decision. Your requests for a hearing must reach EPA by February 14, 2011. The request must contain the information prescribed in 40 CFR 260.20(d) (hereinafter all CFR cites refer to 40 CFR unless otherwise stated).

ADDRESSES:

Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-R06-RCRA- 2010-1052 by one of the following methods:

1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.

2. E-mail: [e-mail].

3. Mail: Michelle Peace, Environmental Protection Agency, Multimedia Planning and Permitting Division, RCRA Branch, Mail Code: 6PD-C, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75202.

4. Hand Delivery or Courier: Deliver your comments to: Michelle Peace, Environmental Protection Agency, Multimedia Planning and Permitting Division, RCRA Branch, Mail Code: 6PD-C, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75202.

Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-R06-RCRA-2010-1052. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change and may be made available online at http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through http://www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The http://www.regulations.gov Web site is an “anonymous access” system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-mail comment directly to EPA without going through http://www.regulations.gov, your e-mail 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 and with any disk or CD-ROM 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 electronic docket are listed in the http://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 may be available either electronically in http://www.regulations.gov or in electronic or hard copy at the Environmental Protection Agency, RCRA Branch, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75202. The hard copy RCRA regulatory docket for this proposed rule, EPA-R06-RCRA-2010-1052, is available for viewing from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays. The public may copy material from any regulatory docket at no cost for the first 100 pages, and at fifteen cents per page for additional copies. EPA requests that you contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to schedule your inspection. The interested persons wanting to examine these documents should make an appointment with the office at least 24 hours in advance.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For technical information regarding the Republic Services, Inc./BFI Gulf West Landfill petition, contact Michelle Peace at 214-665-7430 or by e-mail at [e-mail].

Your requests for a hearing must reach EPA by February 14, 2011. The request must contain the information described in § 260.20(d).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Gulf West submitted a petition under 40 CFR 260.20 and 260.22(a). Section 260.20 allows any person to petition the Administrator to modify or revoke any provision of parts 260 through 266, 268 and 273. Section 260.22(a) specifically provides generators the opportunity to petition the Administrator to exclude a waste on a “generator specific” basis from the hazardous waste lists.

EPA bases its proposed decision to grant the petition on an evaluation of waste-specific information provided by the petitioner. This decision, if finalized, would conditionally exclude the petitioned waste from the requirements of hazardous waste regulations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

If finalized, EPA would conclude that Gulf West's petitioned waste is non-hazardous with respect to the original listing criteria. EPA would also conclude that Gulf West's process minimizes short-term and long-term threats from the petitioned waste to human health and the environment.

Table of Contents

The information in this section is organized as follows:

I. Overview Information

A. What action is EPA proposing?

B. Why is EPA proposing to approve this delisting?

C. How will Gulf West manage the waste, if it is delisted?

D. When would the proposed delisting exclusion be finalized?

E. How would this action affect states?

II. Background

A. What is the history of the delisting program?

B. What is a delisting petition, and what does it require of a petitioner?

C. What factors must EPA consider in deciding whether to grant a delisting petition?

III. EPA's Evaluation of the Waste Information and Data

A. What wastes did Gulf West petition EPA to delist?

B. Who is Gulf West and what process does it use to generate the petitioned waste?

C. How did Gulf West sample and analyze the data in this petition?

D. What were the results of Gulf West's sample analysis?

E. How did EPA evaluate the risk of delisting this waste?

F. What did EPA conclude about Gulf West's analysis?

G. What other factors did EPA consider in its evaluation?

H. What is EPA's evaluation of this delisting petition?

IV. Next Steps

A. With what conditions must the petitioner comply?

B. What happens if Gulf West violates the terms and conditions?

V. Public Comments

A. How may I as an interested party submit comments?

B. How may I review the docket or obtain copies of the proposed exclusions?

VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

I. Overview Information

A. What action is EPA proposing?

EPA is proposing to approve the delisting petition submitted by Gulf West to have the leachate from its landfill excluded, or delisted from the definition of a hazardous waste. The leachate derived from the management of several F- and K- waste codes. These wastes codes are F019, F039, K017, K019, and K020.

B. Why is EPA proposing to approve this delisting?

Gulf West's petition requests an exclusion from the F019, F039, K017, K019, and K020 waste listings pursuant to 40 CFR 260.20 and 260.22. Gulf West does not believe that the petitioned waste meets the criteria for which EPA listed it. Gulf West also believes no additional constituents or factors could cause the waste to be hazardous. EPA's review of this petition included consideration of the original listing criteria and the additional factors required by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984 (HSWA). See section 3001(f) of RCRA, 42 U.S.C. 6921(f), and 40 CFR 260.22(d)(1)-(4) (hereinafter all sectional references are to 40 CFR unless otherwise indicated). In making the initial delisting determination, EPA evaluated the petitioned waste against the listing criteria and factors cited in § 261.11(a)(2) and (a)(3). Based on this review, EPA agrees with the petitioner that the waste is non-hazardous with respect to the original listing criteria. If EPA had found, based on this review, that the waste remained hazardous based on the factors for which the waste was originally listed, EPA would have proposed to deny the petition. EPA evaluated the waste with respect to other factors or criteria to assess whether there is a reasonable basis to believe that such additional factors could cause the waste to be hazardous. EPA considered whether the waste is acutely toxic, the concentration of the constituents in the waste, their tendency to migrate and to bioaccumulate, their persistence in the environment once released from the waste, plausible and specific types of management of the petitioned waste, the quantities of waste generated, and waste variability. EPA believes that the petitioned waste does not meet the listing criteria and thus should not be a listed waste. EPA's proposed decision to delist waste from Gulf West is based on the information submitted in support of this rule, including descriptions of the wastes and analytical data from the Anahuac, Texas facility.

C. How will Gulf West manage the waste if it is delisted?

If the leachate is delisted, Gulf West will dispose of the leachate at a publicly owned treatment works or at an industrial waste disposal facility.

D. When would the proposed delisting exclusion be finalized?

RCRA section 3001(f) specifically requires EPA to provide a notice and an opportunity for comment before granting or denying a final exclusion. Thus, EPA will not grant the exclusion until it addresses all timely public comments (including those at public hearings, if any) on this proposal.

RCRA section 3010(b)(1) at 42 USCA 6930(b)(1), allows rules to become effective in less than six months when the regulated facility does not need the six-month period to come into compliance. That is the case here, because this rule, if finalized, would reduce the existing requirements for persons generating hazardous wastes.

EPA believes that this exclusion should be effective immediately upon final publication because a six-month deadline is not necessary to achieve the purpose of section 3010(b), and a later effective date would impose unnecessary hardship and expense on this petitioner. These reasons also provide good cause for making this rule effective immediately, upon final publication, under the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 553(d).

E. How would this action affect the states?

Because EPA is issuing this exclusion under the Federal RCRA delisting program, only states subject to Federal RCRA delisting provisions would be affected. This would exclude states which have received authorization from EPA to make their own delisting decisions.

EPA allows states to impose their own non-RCRA regulatory requirements that are more stringent than EPA's, under section 3009 of RCRA, 42 U.S.C. 6929. These more stringent requirements may include a provision that prohibits a federally issued exclusion from taking effect in the state. Because a dual system (that is, both Federal (RCRA) and state (non-RCRA) programs) may regulate a petitioner's waste, EPA urges petitioners to contact the state regulatory authority to establish the status of their wastes under the state law.

EPA has also authorized some states (for example, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Georgia, Illinois) to administer a RCRA delisting program in place of the Federal program, that is, to make state delisting decisions. Therefore, this exclusion does not apply in those authorized states unless that state makes the rule part of its authorized program. If Gulf West transports the petitioned waste to or manages the waste in any state with delisting authorization, Gulf West must obtain delisting authorization from that state before it can manage the waste as non-hazardous in the state.

II. Background

A. What is the history of the delisting program?

EPA published an amended list of hazardous wastes from non-specific and specific sources on January 16, 1981, as part of its final and interim final regulations implementing section 3001 of RCRA. EPA has amended this list several times and published it in 40 CFR 261.31 and 261.32.

EPA lists these wastes as hazardous because: (1) The wastes typically and frequently exhibit one or more of the characteristics of hazardous wastes identified in Subpart C of Part 261 (that is, ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, and toxicity), (2) the wastes meet the criteria for listing contained in § 261.11(a)(2) or (a)(3), or (3) the wastes are mixed with or derived from the treatment, storage or disposal of such characteristic and listed wastes and which therefore become hazardous under § 261.3(a)(2)(iv) or (c)(2)(i), known as the “mixture” or “derived-from” rules, respectively.

Individual waste streams may vary, however, depending on raw materials, industrial processes, and other factors. Thus, while a waste described in these regulations or resulting from the operation of the mixture or derived-from rules generally is hazardous, a specific waste from an individual facility may not be hazardous.

For this reason, 40 CFR 260.20 and 260.22 provide an exclusion procedure, called delisting, which allows persons to prove that EPA should not regulate a specific waste from a particular generating facility as a hazardous waste.

B. What is a delisting petition, and what does it require of a petitioner?

A delisting petition is a request from a facility to EPA or an authorized state to exclude wastes from the list of hazardous wastes. The facility petitions EPA because it does not consider the wastes hazardous under RCRA regulations.

In a delisting petition, the petitioner must show that wastes generated at a particular facility do not meet any of the criteria for which the waste was listed. The criteria for which EPA lists a waste are in part 261 and further explained in the background documents for the listed waste.

In addition, under 40 CFR 260.22, a petitioner must prove that the waste does not exhibit any of the hazardous waste characteristics (that is, ignitability, reactivity, corrosivity, and toxicity) and present sufficient information for EPA to decide whether factors other than those for which the waste was listed warrant retaining it as a hazardous waste. (See part 261 and the background documents for the listed waste.)

Generators remain obligated under RCRA to confirm whether their waste remains non-hazardous based on the hazardous waste characteristics even if EPA has “delisted” the waste.

C. What factors must EPA consider in deciding whether to grant a delisting petition?

Besides considering the criteria in 40 CFR 260.22(a) and § 3001(f) of RCRA, 42 U.S.C. 6921(f), and in the background documents for the listed wastes, EPA must consider any factors (including additional constituents) other than those for which EPA listed the waste, if a reasonable basis exists that these additional factors could cause the waste to be hazardous.

EPA must also consider as hazardous waste mixtures containing listed hazardous wastes and wastes derived from treating, storing, or disposing of listed hazardous waste. See § 261.3(a)(2)(iii and iv) and (c)(2)(i), called the “mixture” and “derived-from” rules, respectively. These wastes are also eligible for exclusion and remain hazardous wastes until excluded. See 66 FR 27266 (May 16, 2001).

III. EPA's Evaluation of the Waste Information and Data

A. What waste did Gulf West petition EPA to delist?

In December 2009, Gulf West petitioned EPA to exclude from the lists of hazardous wastes contained in §§ 261.31 and 261.32, landfill leachate (F019, F039, K017, K019, and K020) generated from its facility located in Anahuac, Texas. The waste falls under the classification of listed waste pursuant to §§ 261.31 and 261.32. Specifically, in its petition, Gulf West requested that EPA grant a standard exclusion for 6,436 cubic yards (150,000 gallons) per year of the landfill leachate.

B. Who is Gulf West and what process does it use to generate the petitioned waste?

Gulf West Landfill is a disposal facility. There are no products manufactured at the site. The Landfill was built to RCRA construction standards for hazardous waste disposal. However, the site since 1993 has not accepted hazardous waste and only accepts nonhazardous waste for disposal only. In separate instances Shell Oil and BAE Systems Inc. sent waste materials to the facility which were subsequently delisted but at the time of disposal at Gulf West Landfill were still considered hazardous wastes. The leachate generated from the landfill where these materials were disposed have been treated as F039 hazardous wastes which carry F019 and K017, K019, K020 waste codes as a result of the mixture and derived from rules. The petitioned waste is managed by collecting the liquids which have percolated through the land disposed wastes into the leachate collection system and conveying the leachate to storage tanks that are emptied into trucks for off-site disposal.

C. How did Gulf West sample and analyze the data in this petition?

To support its petition, Gulf West submitted:

(1) Historical information on waste generation and management practices; and

(2) Analytical results from five samples for total concentrations of compounds of concern (COC)s.

D. What were the results of Gulf West's analyses?

EPA believes that the descriptions of the Gulf West analytical characterization provide a reasonable basis to grant Gulf West's petition for an exclusion of the landfill leachate. EPA believes the data submitted in support of the petition show the landfill leachate is non-hazardous. Analytical data for the landfill leachate samples were used in the DRAS to develop delisting levels. The data summaries for COCs are presented in Table I. EPA has reviewed the sampling procedures used by Gulf West and has determined that it satisfies EPA criteria for collecting representative samples of the variations in constituent concentrations in the landfill leachate. In addition, the data submitted in support of the petition show that constituents in Gulf West's waste are presently below health-based levels used in the delisting decision-making. EPA believes that Gulf West has successfully demonstrated that the landfill leachate is non-hazardous.

Table 1—Analytical Results/Maximum Allowable Delisting Concentration

[Landfill Leachate Republic Services, Inc./BFI Gulf West Landfill, Anahuac, Texas]

Constituent	Maximum TCLP (mg/l)	Maximum allowable TCLP delisting level (mg/L)
Acetone (2-propanone)	4.10E+00	1.27E+02
Antimony	1.20E-02	5.68E-02
Arsenic	2.70E-01	3.37E-01
Barium	1.80E+00	1.16E+01
Benzene	1.20E-02	1.88E-02
Beryllium	1.70E-04	1.03E+00
Cadmium	3.50E-04	5.10E-02
Carbon disulfide	5.20E-02	1.29E+01
Chromium	2.40E-02	5.00E+00
Cobalt	1.40E-02	3.18E-01
Copper	1.10E-02	2.21E+01
Cresol m-	1.80E-01	7.06E+00
Cresol o-	5.30E+00	7.06E+00
Cresol p-	1.40E-01	7.06E-01
DDT p,p'-	2.30E-05	9.72E+25
Dioxane 1,4-	9.10E-01	2.39E+00
Endosulfan (Endosulfan I and II, mixture)	3.90E-04	1.55E+00
Endrin	6.80E-05	2.0E-02
Ethyl ether	4.30E-03	2.25E+01
Ethylbenzene	1.10E-02	3.21E+00
HCH, (Hexachlorocyclohexane ) (Lindane) gamma-	1.50E-04	4.00E-01
HCH, beta- (Hexachlorocyclohexane beta-BHC)	3.00E-05	2.26E-03
Heptachlor	3.40E-04	8.0 E-03
Heptachlor epoxide	8.90E-05	8.0 E-03
Lead	6.30E-03	2.57E+00
Mercury (Total)	8.10E-05	1.25E-02
Methoxychlor	3.40E-04	1.0E+01
Methyl ethyl ketone	5.40E-01	8.47E+01
Methyl isobutyl ketone	6.00E-01	1.13E+01
Nickel	2.70E-01	5.74E+00
Selenium	1.70E-02	4.47E-01
Silver	1.40E-04	1.71E+00
Thallium	4.08E-02	4.49 E-02
Tin	6.50E-03	5.43 E+04
Toluene	3.70E-02	3.93E+00
Trichlorophenoxy)propionic acid 2-(2,4,5- (Silvex)	7.00E-03	1.88E-01
Trichlorophenoxyacetic acid 2,4,5-	1.80E-02	1.41E+00
Vanadium	1.20E-01	4.88E+00
Xylenes (total)	1.70E-02	2.90E+00
Zinc	8.10E-02	7.77E+01
Notes: These levels represent the highest constituent concentration found in any one sample and do not necessarily represent the specific level found in one sample.

E. How did EPA evaluate the risk of delisting the waste?

For this delisting determination, EPA used such information gathered to identify plausible exposure routes (i.e., groundwater, surface water, air) for hazardous constituents present in the petitioned waste. EPA determined that disposal in a surface impoundment is the most reasonable, worst-case disposal scenario for Gulf West's petitioned waste. EPA applied the Delisting Risk Assessment Software (DRAS) described in 65 FR 58015 (September 27, 2000) and 65 FR 75637 (December 4, 2000), to predict the maximum allowable concentrations of hazardous constituents that may be released from the petitioned waste after disposal and determined the potential impact of the disposal of Gulf West's petitioned waste on human health and the environment. A copy of this software can be found on the world wide Web at http://www.epa.gov/​reg5rcra/​wptdiv/​hazardous/​delisting/​dras-software.html. In assessing potential risks to groundwater, EPA used the maximum waste volumes and the maximum reported extract concentrations as inputs to the DRAS program to estimate the constituent concentrations in the groundwater at a hypothetical receptor well down gradient from the disposal site. Using the risk level (carcinogenic risk of 10⁻⁵ and non-cancer hazard index of 1.0), the DRAS program can back-calculate the acceptable receptor well concentrations (referred to as compliance-point concentrations) using standard risk assessment algorithms and EPA health-based numbers. Using the maximum compliance-point concentrations and EPA's Composite Model for Leachate Migration with Transformation Products (EPACMTP) fate and transport modeling factors, the DRAS further back-calculates the maximum permissible waste constituent concentrations not expected to exceed the compliance-point concentrations in groundwater.

EPA believes that the EPACMTP fate and transport model represents a reasonable worst-case scenario for possible groundwater contamination resulting from disposal of the petitioned waste in a surface impoundment, and that a reasonable worst-case scenario is appropriate when evaluating whether a waste should be relieved of the protective management constraints of RCRA Subtitle C. The use of some reasonable worst-case scenarios resulted in conservative values for the compliance-point concentrations and ensures that the waste, once removed from hazardous waste regulation, will not pose a significant threat to human health or the environment.

The DRAS also uses the maximum estimated waste volumes and the maximum reported total concentrations to predict possible risks associated with releases of waste constituents through surface pathways (e.g., volatilization from the impoundment). As in the above groundwater analyses, the DRAS uses the risk level, the health-based data and standard risk assessment and exposure algorithms to predict maximum compliance-point concentrations of waste constituents at a hypothetical point of exposure. Using fate and transport equations, the DRAS uses the maximum compliance-point concentrations and back-calculates the maximum allowable waste constituent concentrations (or “delisting levels”).

In most cases, because a delisted waste is no longer subject to hazardous waste control, EPA is generally unable to predict, and does not presently control, how a petitioner will manage a waste after delisting. Therefore, EPA currently believes that it is inappropriate to consider extensive site-specific factors when applying the fate and transport model. EPA does control the type of unit where the waste is disposed. The waste must be disposed in the type of unit the fate and transport model evaluates.

The DRAS results which calculate the maximum allowable concentration of chemical constituents in the waste are presented in Table I. Based on the comparison of the DRAS and TCLP Analyses results found in Table I, the petitioned waste should be delisted because no constituents of concern tested are likely to be present or formed as reaction products or by-products in Gulf West waste.

F. What did EPA conclude about Gulf West's waste analysis?

EPA concluded, after reviewing Gulf West's processes that no other hazardous constituents of concern, other than those for which tested, are likely to be present or formed as reaction products or by-products in the waste. In addition, on the basis of explanations and analytical data provided by Gulf West, pursuant to § 260.22, EPA concludes that the petitioned waste does not exhibit any of the characteristics of ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity or toxicity. See §§ 261.21, 261.22 and 261.23, respectively.

G. What other factors did EPA consider in its evaluation?

During the evaluation of Gulf West's petition, EPA also considered the potential impact of the petitioned waste via non-groundwater routes (i.e., air emission and surface runoff). With regard to airborne dispersion in particular, EPA believes that exposure to airborne contaminants from Gulf West's petitioned waste is unlikely. Therefore, no appreciable air releases are likely from Gulf West's waste under any likely disposal conditions. EPA evaluated the potential hazards resulting from the unlikely scenario of airborne exposure to hazardous constituents released from Gulf West's waste in an open impoundment. The results of this worst-case analysis indicated that there is no substantial present or potential hazard to human health and the environment from airborne exposure to constituents from Gulf West's landfill leachate.

H. What is EPA's evaluation of this delisting petition?

The descriptions of Gulf West's hazardous waste process and analytical characterization provide a reasonable basis for EPA to grant the exclusion. The data submitted in support of the petition show that constituents in the waste are below the leachable concentrations (see Table I). EPA believes that Gulf West's landfill leachate will not impose any threat to human health and the environment.

Thus, EPA believes Gulf West should be granted an exclusion for the landfill leachate. EPA believes the data submitted in support of the petition show Gulf West's landfill leachate is non-hazardous. The data submitted in support of the petition show that constituents in Gulf West's waste are presently below the compliance point concentrations used in the delisting decision and would not pose a substantial hazard to the environment. EPA believes that Gulf West has successfully demonstrated that the landfill leachate is non-hazardous.

EPA therefore, proposes to grant an exclusion to Gulf West in Anahuac, Texas, for the landfill leachate described in its petition. EPA's decision to exclude this waste is based on descriptions of the treatment activities associated with the petitioned waste and characterization of the landfill leachate.

If EPA finalizes the proposed rule, EPA will no longer regulate the petitioned waste under Parts 262 through 268 and the permitting standards of part 270.

IV. Next Steps

A. With what conditions must the petitioner comply?

The petitioner, Gulf West, must comply with the requirements in 40 CFR part 261, Appendix IX, Table 1. The text below gives the rationale and details of those requirements.

(1) Delisting Levels:

This paragraph provides the levels of constituents for which Gulf West must test the landfill leachate, below which these wastes would be considered non-hazardous. EPA selected the set of inorganic and organic constituents specified in paragraph (1) of 40 CFR part 261, Appendix IX, Table 1, (the exclusion language) based on information in the petition. EPA compiled the inorganic and organic constituents list from the composition of the waste, descriptions of Gulf West's treatment process, previous test data provided for the waste, and the respective health-based levels used in delisting decision-making. These delisting levels correspond to the allowable levels measured in the TCLP concentrations.

(2) Waste Holding and Handling:

The purpose of this paragraph is to ensure that Gulf West manages and disposes of any landfill leachate that contains hazardous levels of inorganic and organic constituents according to Subtitle C of RCRA. Managing the landfill leachate as a hazardous waste until initial verification testing is performed will protect against improper handling of hazardous material. If EPA determines that the data collected under this paragraph do not support the data provided for in the petition, the exclusion will not cover the petitioned waste. The exclusion is effective upon publication in the Federal Register but the disposal as non-hazardous cannot begin until the verification sampling is completed.

(3) Verification Testing Requirements:

Gulf West must complete a rigorous verification testing program on the landfill leachate to assure that the sludge does not exceed the maximum levels specified in paragraph (1) of the exclusion language. This verification program operates on two levels. The first part of the verification testing program consists of testing the landfill leachate for specified indicator parameters as per paragraph (1) of the exclusion language.

If EPA determines that the data collected under this paragraph do not support the data provided for the petition, the exclusion will not cover the generated wastes. If the data from the initial verification testing program demonstrate that the leachate meets the delisting levels, Gulf West may request quarterly testing. EPA will notify Gulf West in writing, if and when it may replace the testing conditions in paragraph (3)(A) with the testing conditions in (3)(B) of the exclusion language.

The second part of the verification testing program is the quarterly testing of representative samples of landfill leachate for all constituents specified in paragraph (1) of the exclusion language. EPA believes that the concentrations of the constituents of concern in the landfill leachate may vary over time. Consequently, this program will ensure that the leachate is evaluated in terms of variation in constituent concentrations in the waste over time.

The proposed subsequent testing would verify that the constituent concentrations of the landfill leachate do not exhibit unacceptable temporal and spatial levels of toxic constituents. EPA is proposing to require Gulf West to analyze representative samples of the landfill leachate quarterly during the first year of waste generation. Gulf West would begin quarterly sampling 60 days after the final exclusion as described in paragraph (3)(B) of the exclusion language.

EPA, per paragraph 3(C) of the exclusion language, is proposing to end the subsequent testing conditions after the first year, if Gulf West has demonstrated that the waste consistently meets the delisting levels. To confirm that the characteristics of the waste do not change significantly over time, Gulf West must continue to analyze a representative sample of the waste on an annual basis. Annual testing requires analyzing the full list of components in paragraph (1) of the exclusion language. If operating conditions change as described in paragraph (4) of the exclusion language; Gulf West must reinstate all testing in paragraph (1) of the exclusion language.

Gulf West must prove through a new demonstration that their waste meets the conditions of the exclusion. If the annual testing of the waste does not meet the delisting requirements in paragraph (1), Gulf West must notify EPA according to the requirements in paragraph (6) of the exclusion language. The facility must provide sampling results that support the rationale that the delisting exclusion should not be withdrawn.

(4) Changes in Operating Conditions:

Paragraph (4) of the exclusion language would allow Gulf West the flexibility of modifying its processes (for example, changes in equipment or change in operating conditions). However, Gulf West must prove the effectiveness of the modified process and request approval from EPA. Gulf West must manage wastes generated during the new process demonstration as hazardous waste until it has obtained written approval and paragraph (3) of the exclusion language is satisfied.

(5) Data Submittals:

To provide appropriate documentation that Gulf West's landfill leachate is meeting the delisting levels, Gulf West must compile, summarize, and keep delisting records on-site for a minimum of five years. It should keep all analytical data obtained through paragraph (3) of the exclusion language including quality control information for five years. Paragraph (5) of the exclusion language requires that Gulf West furnish these data upon request for inspection by any employee or representative of EPA or the State of Texas.

If the proposed exclusion is made final, it will apply only to 6,436 cubic yards (per year of landfill leachate generated at the Gulf West after successful verification testing. EPA would require Gulf West to file a new delisting petition under any of the following circumstances:

(a) If it significantly alters the process or treatment system except as described in paragraph (4) of the exclusion language;

(b) If it significantly changes from the current process(es) described in their petition; or

(c) If it makes any changes that could affect the composition or type of waste generated.

Gulf West must manage waste volumes greater than 6,436 cubic yards per year of landfill leachate as hazardous until EPA grants a new exclusion.

When this exclusion becomes final, Gulf West's management of the wastes covered by this petition would be relieved from Subtitle C jurisdiction, the landfill leachate from Gulf West will be treated and disposed at the Anahuac Wastewater Treatment Plant in Anahuac, TX or at the Newpark Industrial Facility in Winnie, TX.

(6) Reopener:

The purpose of paragraph (6) of the exclusion language is to require Gulf West to disclose new or different information related to a condition at the facility or disposal of the waste, if it is pertinent to the delisting. Gulf West must also use this procedure, if the waste sample in the annual testing fails to meet the levels found in paragraph (1). This provision will allow EPA to reevaluate the exclusion, if a source provides new or additional information to EPA. EPA will evaluate the information on which EPA based the decision to see if it is still correct, or if circumstances have changed so that the information is no longer correct or would cause EPA to deny the petition, if presented. This provision expressly requires Gulf West to report differing site conditions or assumptions used in the petition in addition to failure to meet the annual testing conditions within 10 days of discovery. If EPA discovers such information itself or from a third party, it can act on it as appropriate. The language being proposed is similar to those provisions found in RCRA regulations governing no-migration petitions at § 268.6.

EPA believes that it has the authority under RCRA and the Administrative Procedures Act (APA), 5 U.S.C. 551 (1978) et seq., to reopen a delisting decision. EPA may reopen a delisting decision when it receives new information that calls into question the assumptions underlying the delisting.

EPA believes a clear statement of its authority in delistings is merited in light of EPA's experience. See Reynolds Metals Company at 62 FR 37694 and 62 FR 63458 where the delisted waste leached at greater concentrations in the environment than the concentrations predicted when conducting the TCLP, thus leading EPA to repeal the delisting. If an immediate threat to human health and the environment presents itself, EPA will continue to address these situations on a case by case basis. Where necessary, EPA will make a good cause finding to justify emergency rulemaking. See APA Section 553(b).

(7) Notification Requirements:

In order to adequately track wastes that have been delisted, EPA is requiring that Gulf West provide a one-time notification to any state regulatory agency through which or to which the delisted waste is being carried. Gulf West must provide this notification 60 days before commencing this activity.

B. What happens if Gulf West violates the terms and conditions?

If Gulf West violates the terms and conditions established in the exclusion, EPA will start procedures to withdraw the exclusion. Where there is an immediate threat to human health and the environment, EPA will evaluate the need for enforcement activities on a case-by-case basis. EPA expects Gulf West to conduct the appropriate waste analysis and comply with the criteria explained above in paragraph (1) of the exclusion.

V. Public Comments

A. How can I as an interested party submit comments?

EPA is requesting public comments on this proposed decision. Please send three copies of your comments. Send two copies to Ben Banipal, Section Chief of the Corrective Action and Waste Minimization Section (6PD-C), Multimedia Planning and Permitting Division, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75202. Identify your comments at the top with this regulatory docket number: “EPA-R6-RCRA-2010-1052 Republic Services, Inc./BFI Gulf West Landfill.” You may submit your comments electronically to Michelle Peace at [e-mail].

You should submit requests for a hearing to Ben Banipal, Section Chief of the Corrective Action and Waste Minimization Section (6PD-C), Multimedia Planning and Permitting Division, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75202.

B. How may I review the docket or obtain copies of the proposed exclusion?

You may review the RCRA regulatory docket for this proposed rule at the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75202. It is available for viewing in EPA Freedom of Information Act Review Room from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays. Call [phone] for appointments. The public may copy material from any regulatory docket at no cost for the first 100 pages, and at fifteen cents per page for additional copies. You may also request the electronic files of the docket which do not appear on regulations.gov.

VI. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

Under Executive Order 12866, “Regulatory Planning and Review” (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), this rule is not of general applicability and therefore is not a regulatory action subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). 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.) because it applies to a particular facility only. Because this rule is of particular applicability relating to a particular facility, it is not subject to the regulatory flexibility provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), or to sections 202, 204, and 205 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) (Pub. L. 104-4). Because this rule will affect only a particular facility, it will not significantly or uniquely affect small governments, as specified in section 203 of UMRA. Because this rule will affect only a particular facility, this proposed rule does not have federalism implications. It will not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government, as specified in Executive Order 13132, “Federalism,” (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999). Thus, Executive Order 13132 does not apply to this rule. Similarly, because this rule will affect only a particular facility, this proposed rule does not have tribal implications, as specified in Executive Order 13175, “Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments” (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000). Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this rule. This rule also is not subject to Executive Order 13045, “Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks” (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997), because it is not economically significant as defined in Executive Order 12866, and because the Agency does not have reason to believe the environmental health or safety risks addressed by this action present a disproportionate risk to children. The basis for this belief is that the Agency used the DRAS program, which considers health and safety risks to infants and children, to calculate the maximum allowable concentrations for this rule. 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. This rule does not involve technical standards; thus, the requirements of section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) do not apply. As required by section 3 of Executive Order 12988, “Civil Justice Reform,” (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. 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. Section 804 exempts from section 801 the following types of rules (1) rules of particular applicability; (2) rules relating to agency management or personnel; and (3) rules of agency organization, procedure, or practice that do not substantially affect the rights or obligations of non-agency parties 5 U.S.C. 804(3). EPA is not required to submit a rule report regarding this action under section 801 because this is a rule of particular applicability.

Lists of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 261

• Environmental protection
• Hazardous Waste
• Recycling
• Reporting and record-keeping requirements

Authority: Sec. 3001(f) RCRA, 42 U.S.C. 6921(f).

Dated: January 18, 2011.

Carl E. Edlund,

Director, Multimedia Planning and Permitting Division, Region 6.

For the reasons set out in the preamble, 40 CFR part 261 is proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 261—IDENTIFICATION AND LISTING OF HAZARDOUS WASTE

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

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

2. In Tables 1 and 2 of Appendix IX to Part 261 add the waste stream “Gulf West Landfill” in alphabetical order by facility to read as follows:

Appendix IX to Part 261—Waste Excluded Under §§ 260.20 and 260.22

Table 1—Waste Excluded From Non-Specific Sources

Facility	Address	Waste description
	*         *         *         *         *         *         *
Gulf West Landfill	Anahuac, TX	Landfill Leachate (EPA Hazardous Waste Numbers F019, F039, K017, K019, K020.) generated at a maximum rate of 1,300,000 gallons (6,436 cubic yards) per calendar year after [insert publication date of the final rule].
		For the exclusion to be valid, Gulf West must implement a verification testing program for each of the waste streams that meets the following Paragraphs:
		(1) Delisting Levels: All concentrations for those constituents must not exceed the maximum allowable concentrations in mg/l specified in this paragraph.
		Landfill Leachate. Leachable Concentrations (mg/l): Antimony—0.0568; Acetone—127; Arsenic—0.337; Barium—11.6; Benzene—0.0188; Beryllium—1.03; Cadmium—0.051; Chromium—5.0; Cobalt—0.318; Copper—22.1; m-Cresol—7.06; o-Cresol- 7.06; p-Cresol—0.706; p,p- DDT -0.0103; 1,4- Dioxane—2.39; Endosulfan- 1.55; Endrin—0.02; Ethyl ether- 22.5; Ethylbenzene—3.21; beta BHC- 0.0026; Heptachlor—0.008; Heptachlor epoxide- 0.008; Lead- 2.57; Lindane -0.4; Mercury- 0.0125; methoxychlor- 10; methyl ethyl ketone- 84.7; methyl isobutyl ketone- 11.3; nickel- 5.74; selenium-0.447; silver-1.71; Thallium- 0.0449; tin-54,300; toluene-3.93; Silex-0.188; 2,4,5- trichlorophenoxyacetic acid-1.41; vanadium- 4.88; xylenes (total) -2.90; zinc-77.7.
		(2) Waste Holding and Handling:
		(A) Waste classification as non-hazardous can not begin until compliance with the limits set in paragraph (1) for the Landfill Leachate has occurred for four consecutive quarterly sampling events.
		(B) If constituent levels in any annual sample and retest sample taken by Gulf West exceed any of the delisting levels set in paragraph (1) for the Landfill Leachate, Gulf West must do the following:
		(i) notify EPA in accordance with paragraph (6) and
		(ii) manage and dispose the Landfill Leachate as hazardous waste generated under Subtitle C of RCRA.
		(3) Testing Requirements: Upon this exclusion becoming final, Gulf West must perform analytical testing by sampling and analyzing the Landfill Leachate as follows:
		(A) Initial Verification Testing:
		(i) Collect four representative composite samples of the Landfill Leachate at quarterly intervals after EPA grants the final exclusion. The first composite sample of each waste stream may be taken at any time after EPA grants the final approval. Sampling must be performed in accordance with the sampling plan approved by EPA in support of the exclusion.
		(ii) Analyze the samples for all constituents listed in paragraph (1). Any composite sample taken that exceeds the delisting levels listed in paragraph (1) indicates that the Landfill Leachate must continue to be disposed as hazardous waste in accordance with the applicable hazardous waste requirements until such time that four consecutive quarterly samples indicate compliance with delisting levels listed in paragraph (1).
		(iii) Within sixty (60) days after taking its last quarterly sample, Gulf West will report its analytical test data to EPA. If levels of constituents measured in the samples of the Landfill Leachate do not exceed the levels set forth in paragraph (1) of this exclusion for four consecutive quarters, Gulf West can manage and dispose the non-hazardous Landfill Leachate according to all applicable solid waste regulations.
		(B) Annual Testing:
		(i) If Gulf West completes the quarterly testing specified in paragraph (3) above and no sample contains a constituent at a level which exceeds the limits set forth in paragraph (1), Gulf West must begin annual testing as follows: Gulf West must test a representative composite sample of the Landfill Leachate for all constituents listed in paragraph (1) at least once per calendar year. If any measured constituent concentration exceeds the delisting levels set forth in paragraph (1), Gulf West must collect an additional representative composite sample within 10 days of being made aware of the exceedence and test it expeditiously for the constituent(s) which exceeded delisting levels in the original annual sample.
		(ii) The samples for the annual testing shall be a representative composite sample according to appropriate methods. As applicable to the method-defined parameters of concern, analyses requiring the use of SW-846 methods incorporated by reference in 40 CFR 260.11 must be used without substitution. As applicable, the SW-846 methods might include Methods 0010, 0011, 0020, 0023A, 0030, 0031, 0040, 0050, 0051, 0060, 0061, 1010A, 1020B,1110A, 1310B, 1311, 1312, 1320, 1330A, 9010C, 9012B, 9040C, 9045D, 9060A, 9070A (uses EPA Method 1664, Rev. A), 9071B, and 9095B. Methods must meet Performance Based Measurement System Criteria in which the Data Quality Objectives are to demonstrate that samples of the Gulf West Landfill Leachate are representative for all constituents listed in paragraph (1).
		(iii) The samples for the annual testing taken for the second and subsequent annual testing events shall be taken within the same calendar month as the first annual sample taken.
		(iv) The annual testing report should include the total amount of delisted waste in cubic yards disposed during the calendar year.
		(4) Changes in Operating Conditions: If Gulf West significantly changes the process described in its petition or starts any processes that generate(s) the waste that may or could affect the composition or type of waste generated (by illustration, but not limitation, changes in equipment or operating conditions of the treatment process), it must notify EPA in writing and it may no longer handle the waste generated from the new process as non-hazardous until the waste meet the delisting levels set in paragraph (1) and it has received written approval to do so from EPA. Gulf West must submit a modification to the petition complete with full sampling and analysis for circumstances where the waste volume changes and/or additional waste codes are added to the waste stream.
		(5) Data Submittals: Gulf West must submit the information described below. If Gulf West fails to submit the required data within the specified time or maintain the required records on-site for the specified time, EPA, at its discretion, will consider this sufficient basis to reopen the exclusion as described in paragraph(6). Gulf West must:
		(A) Submit the data obtained through paragraph 3 to the Chief, Corrective Action and Waste Minimization Section, Multimedia Planning and Permitting Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6, 1445 Ross Ave., Dallas, Texas 75202, within the time specified. All supporting data can be submitted on CD-ROM or comparable electronic media.
		(B) Compile records of analytical data from paragraph (3), summarized, and maintained on-site for a minimum of five years.
		(C) Furnish these records and data when either EPA or the State of Texas requests them for inspection.
		(D) Send along with all data a signed copy of the following certification statement, to attest to the truth and accuracy of the data submitted: “Under civil and criminal penalty of law for the making or submission of false or fraudulent statements or representations (pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Federal Code, which include, but may not be limited to, 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 42 U.S.C. 6928), I certify that the information contained in or accompanying this document is true, accurate and complete. As to the (those) identified section(s) of this document for which I cannot personally verify its (their) truth and accuracy, I certify as the company official having supervisory responsibility for the persons who, acting under my direct instructions, made the verification that this information is true, accurate and complete. If any of this information is determined by EPA in its sole discretion to be false, inaccurate or incomplete, and upon conveyance of this fact to the company, I recognize and agree that this exclusion of waste will be void as if it never had effect or to the extent directed by EPA and that the company will be liable for any actions taken in contravention of the company's RCRA and CERCLA obligations premised upon the company's reliance on the void exclusion.”
		(6) Reopener
		(A) If, anytime after disposal of the delisted waste Gulf West possesses or is otherwise made aware of any environmental data (including but not limited to leachate data or ground water monitoring data) or any other data relevant to the delisted waste indicating that any constituent identified for the delisting verification testing is at level higher than the delisting level allowed by the Division Director in granting the petition, then the facility must report the data, in writing, to the Division Director within 10 days of first possessing or being made aware of that data.
		(B) If either the annual testing (and retest, if applicable) of the waste does not meet the delisting requirements in paragraph 1, Gulf West must report the data, in writing, to the Division Director within 10 days of first possessing or being made aware of that data.
		(C) If Gulf West fails to submit the information described in paragraphs (5),(6)(A) or (6)(B) or if any other information is received from any source, the Division Director will make a preliminary determination as to whether the reported information requires EPA action to protect human health and/or the environment. Further action may include suspending, or revoking the exclusion, or other appropriate response necessary to protect human health and the environment.
		(D) If the Division Director determines that the reported information requires action by EPA, the Division Director will notify the facility in writing of the actions the Division Director believes are necessary to protect human health and the environment. The notice shall include a statement of the proposed action and a statement providing the facility with an opportunity to present information as to why the proposed EPA action is not necessary. The facility shall have 10 days from receipt of the Division Director's notice to present such information.
		(E) Following the receipt of information from the facility described in paragraph (6)(D) or (if no information is presented under paragraph (6)(D)) the initial receipt of information described in paragraphs (5), (6)(A) or (6)(B), the Division Director will issue a final written determination describing EPA actions that are necessary to protect human health and/or the environment. Any required action described in the Division Director's determination shall become effective immediately, unless the Division Director provides otherwise.
		(7) Notification Requirements: Gulf West must do the following before transporting the delisted waste. Failure to provide this notification will result in a violation of the delisting petition and a possible revocation of the decision.
		(A) Provide a one-time written notification to any state Regulatory Agency to which or through which it will transport the delisted waste described above for disposal, 60 days before beginning such activities.
		(B) For onsite disposal a notice should be submitted to the State to notify the State that disposal of the delisted materials have begun.
		(C) Update one-time written notification, if it ships the delisted waste into a different disposal facility.
		(D) Failure to provide this notification will result in a violation of the delisting variance and a possible revocation of the decision.
	*         *         *         *         *         *         *

* * * * *

Table 2—Waste Excluded From Specific Sources

Facility	Address	Waste description
	*         *         *         *         *         *         *
Gulf West Landfill	Anahuac, TX	Landfill Leachate (EPA Hazardous Waste Numbers F019, F039, K017, K019, K020.) generated at a maximum rate of 1,300,000 gallons (6,436 cubic yards) per calendar year after [insert publication date of the final rule].
	*         *         *         *         *         *         *

* * * * *