99-13197. Announcement of Public Meeting on the Development of New Waste Leaching Procedures under the RCRA Program

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 100 (Tuesday, May 25, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28173-28175]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-13197]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-6349-5]


Announcement of Public Meeting on the Development of New Waste 
Leaching Procedures under the RCRA Program

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), will hold 
a public meeting during July 22 through 23, 1999, on our ongoing 
reviews of the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP), and 
the development of revisions or supplements to the TCLP or new waste 
leaching procedures under the RCRA Program. The purpose of the meeting 
is to discuss current and alternative approaches to waste leachate 
characterization testing and use of leach testing data, and to solicit 
public input on this topic. Both scientific and policy aspects of leach 
testing will be addressed. The meeting is open to the public on a space 
available basis. In order to best accommodate interested parties, we 
are offering pre-registration. The topics of the meeting agenda will be 
presented and discussed by invited speakers. However, we will provide 
ample time for accommodate questions or comments by public attendees 
during the meeting. We have also opened a public docket to accept 
written comments up to 60 days after the date of the meeting. Meeting 
dates and times are provided below under Dates. All times noted are 
Eastern Daylight Time.

DATES: We will hold the public meeting on waste leaching procedures on 
July 22 through July 23, 1999. On July 22, the meeting will begin at 
8:00 a.m. and adjourn at 5:00 p.m. On July 23, the meeting will begin 
at 8:00 a.m. and adjourn at 3:00 p.m.

ADDRESSES: We will hold the public meeting at the Crystal Gateway 
Marriott Hotel, 1700 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia 
22202. To reserve a guest room, call the hotel at [phone] or 
[phone] by June 30, 1999. In order to get a special rate of $115 
plus tax per night, state that you will be attending the public meeting 
on leaching. A limited number of rooms are available at this rate, and 
they are offered on a first-call basis. The hotel fax number is (703) 
271-5212.
    Members of the public wishing to attend the meeting may register by 
filling in and faxing the registration form to the attention of Lisa 
Enderle, SAIC, at [phone]; or mailing the form to Lisa Enderle, 
SAIC, 2222 Gallows Road, Suite 300, Dunn Loring, VA 22027. A copy of 
the form is available below under Supplementary Information. Soon after 
publication of this notice you may also register via the Internet site 
of the Methods Team, U.S. EPA Office of Solid Waste. The Methods Team 
Internet site address is: http://www.epa.gov/SW-846.
    Submit an original and two copies of written comments, referencing 
docket number F-1999-WLPA-FFFFF to: The RCRA Docket Information Center, 
Office of Solid Waste (5305G), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
Headquarters (EPA, HQ), 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460. You may 
hand deliver comments to the Arlington, VA, address listed below. You 
may also submit comments electronically to: [e-mail]. Please also identify comments in electronic 
format

[[Page 28174]]

by the docket number F-1999-WLPA-FFFFF. Submit all electronic comments 
as an ASCII file, avoiding the use of special characters and any form 
of encryption. We will also accept electronic comments in WordPerfect 
6/7/8.0.
    You should not submit electronically any confidential business 
information (CBI). An original and two copies of CBI must be submitted 
under separate cover to: RCRA CBI Document Control Officer, Office of 
Solid Waste (5305W), U.S. EPA, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460. 
You may claim comment information as confidential by marking any part 
or all of the information as CBI. All comments which contain 
information claimed as CBI must be clearly marked as such. The CBI 
claim must be made at the time of submission to EPA. We will not 
disclose information marked CBI except in accordance with procedures 
set forth in 40 CFR part 2. You should also submit an edited copy of 
the comment that does not contain the CBI material. We will include any 
information not marked confidential in the public docket.
    You can view public comments and any supporting material at the 
RCRA Information Center (RIC), located at Crystal Gateway I, First 
Floor, 1235 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA. The RIC is open 
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding federal 
holidays. To review docket materials, we recommend that you make an 
appointment by calling [phone]. You may copy a maximum of 100 
pages from any regulatory docket at no charge. Additional copies cost 
$0.15/page.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Meeting arrangements are being handled 
by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) of McLean, VA. 
For information on registration, hotel rates, transportation, and 
registration, please contact the SAIC coordinator, Lisa Enderle, by e-
mail at [e-mail] or via the SAIC conference 
information line at [phone]. You may also obtain logistical 
information regarding the meeting by sending an e-mail to: 
[e-mail]. If you have technical questions regarding the 
meeting agenda and topics, please contact the EPA coordinator, Gail 
Hansen, Office of Solid Waste (5307W), U. S. Environmental Protection 
Agency, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460, [phone], e-mail 
address [e-mail].


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Why Is EPA Holding This Public Meeting?

    The laboratory leaching of wastes can be a valuable tool for making 
waste management decisions under the RCRA Program. In particular, such 
procedures can be used to predict the leaching potential of 
constituents of concern into the Nation's valuable ground water 
resources. For example, we have relied on leaching procedures for the 
classification of a waste as hazardous based on the characteristic of 
toxicity. For this and other regulatory purposes under RCRA, we have 
used the Extraction Procedure (EP), SW-846 Method 1310, and the 
Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP), SW-846 Method 1311. 
These leaching procedures model the release of contaminants into the 
ground water from the co-disposal of municipal and industrial wastes at 
a landfill for non-hazardous solid wastes under a specified set of 
conditions.
    Leaching tests and resulting data can also serve as the source 
terms for, or inputs to, subsurface (groundwater) fate and transport 
modeling. This type of modeling is key to the risk assessments upon 
which many waste remediation management decisions (such as listing and 
de-listing) are based. The results are also the basis for assessing the 
effectiveness of waste stabilization processes and for assessing the 
long term impact of treatment residues on the groundwater environment.
    Current EPA leaching test methods (e.g., the EP and the TCLP) were 
scientifically validated for limited applications (i.e., hazardous 
waste characterization and the prohibition against placing hazardous 
waste on the land without prior treatment, or ``land ban'') they have 
also not been validated for site-specific conditions. In addition, even 
for the waste characterization and land ban applications, the current 
test procedures can be improved. We believe new leach testing protocols 
will offer better tools for estimating the leaching potential of 
different wastes more accurately under a range of different management 
conditions. We initiated a review of current leach testing last year 
(Land Disposal Restrictions Phase IV Final Rule, 63FR28579) because of 
concerns about applying the TCLP under certain conditions. Also, we 
recently received a commentary letter from our Science Advisory Board, 
SAB, (http://www.epa.gov/science1/eecm9902.pdf) urging reviews and 
revisions of the TCLP and its use in implementing RCRA programs.
    Therefore, as part of this review, we are holding a public meeting 
to initiate broad discussion regarding the development of new revised 
waste leaching procedures under the RCRA Program. We hope to obtain 
public input on all aspects of waste leaching, including the science 
relevant to waste leaching, approaches to leach testing, and policy 
considerations in leaching test development and use in regulatory 
programs and other scenarios.

II. What Will Be Presented at the Public Meeting?

    The current agenda of presentations for the public meeting on 
development of new laboratory waste leaching procedures follows. As 
indicated in the agenda, an opportunity for public comment attendee 
discussion and questions will occur after each presentation. In 
addition, Session V (the last session on Friday) will include an 
opportunity for a discussion of public perspectives and other comments. 
This agenda, and any subsequent revisions, may also be found on the 
Internet site of the Methods Team, U.S. EPA Office of Solid Waste, soon 
after publication of this notice. The Methods Team Internet site 
address is: http://www.epa.gov/SW-846.

Agenda For EPA Public Meeting on Development of New Waste Leaching 
Procedures

Session I--Introduction and Overview

Thursday, July 22; 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
8:00 a.m.-8:20 a.m. Organization of Meeting, Overview of Problem, 
Importance of this Meeting, Where OSW Is Going with this Effort
8:20 a.m.-8:30 a.m. Discussion/Questions
8:30 a.m.-8:50 a.m. Original Purpose of EPA/TCLP
8:50 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Discussion/Questions
9:00 a.m.-9:20 a.m. Science Advisory Board (SAB) Commentary
9:20 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Discussion/Questions
9:30 a.m.-9:50 a.m. Stakeholder Perspectives on Leaching Problem
9:50 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Discussion/Questions
10:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Break

Session II--Modeling and Risk Assessment

Thursday, July 22; 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
10:30 a.m.-10:50 a.m. Role Leachate Testing and Data Serves in Risk 
Assessment Process
10:50 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Discussion/Questions
11:00 a.m.-11:20 a.m. Modeling Overview

[[Page 28175]]

11:20 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Discussion/Questions
11:30 a.m.-11:50 a.m. Modeling Issues and Problems
11:50 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Discussion/Questions
12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
LUNCH

Session III--Leaching Science

Thursday, July 22; 1:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
1:30 p.m.-1:50 p.m. Inorganic Leaching Science
1:50 p.m.-2:00 p.m. Discussion/Questions
2:00 p.m.-2:20 p.m. International Perspective of Leaching Science
2:20 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Discussion/Questions
2:30 p.m.-2:50 p.m. Organic Leaching Science
2:50 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Discussion/Questions
3:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. BREAK
3:30 p.m.-3:50 p.m. Overview of Current Testing Approaches
3:50 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Discussion/Questions
4:00 p.m.-4:20 p.m. Overview of California EPA Approach
4:20 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Discussion/Questions
4:30 p.m.-4:50 p.m. Overview of Rutgers Research Supported by EPA
4:50 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Discussion/Questions

Session IV--Leaching Policy and Applications

Friday, July 23: 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Test Design and Implications: Waste 
Characterization
9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Discussion/Questions
10:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. BREAK
10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Test Design and Implications: Site 
Characterization
11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Discussion/Questions
12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. LUNCH

Session V--Leaching Policy and Applications and Wrap-Up

Friday, July 23; 1:00 p.m.-3:15 p.m.
1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. Test Design and Implications: Treatment 
Effectiveness
2:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Discussion/Questions
2:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Summary of Meeting Results
3:00 p.m.-3:15 p.m. Next Steps

III. How Should I Submit Comments on the Topics of the Public 
Meeting?

    We established a public docket under docket control number F-1999-
WLPA-FFFFF for the submission of comments. We will accept comments in 
written or electronic format at the addresses indicated above under 
Addresses. Please submit comments to those addresses before the meeting 
so that panel speakers have time to review and consider the 
information.
    We welcome your views on all aspects of the meeting's topic. For 
example, we invite you to provide different views on waste 
characterization by leaching procedures, new or alternative leaching 
methods, current leaching methods used within the RCRA Program, 
potential effects of the development and implementation of new leaching 
procedures, and any other relevant information.

IV. Special Accommodations

    If you require special accommodations at this meeting, including 
wheelchair access, please contact Lisa Enderle of SAIC at the address 
listed above under Addresses. Please contact Ms. Enderle at least five 
business days prior to the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can 
be made.

V. Registration Form

    To register for the public meeting on the development of new waste 
leaching procedures, please complete the attached registration form and 
send it to Lisa Enderle via fax at: [phone] or by mail to: Lisa 
Enderle, SAIC, 2222 Gallows Road, Suite 300, Dunn Loring, VA 22027. (As 
with any public meeting, there is no charge for attendance.)

Registration Form for EPA Public Meeting on the Development of New 
Waste Leaching Procedures

    Send completed form to Lisa Enderle via fax at: [phone] or 
by mail to: Lisa Enderle, SAIC, 2222 Gallows Road, Suite 300, Dunn 
Loring, VA 22027.

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    Dated: May 11, 1999.
James R. Berlow,
Acting Director, Office of Solid Waste.
[FR Doc. 99-13197 Filed 5-24-99; 8:45 am]
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