## FE B 

## 2 7 198 7 p. i

ENVIRONMENTA

L PROTECTIO

NAGENC Y 4 0 CFR Part s 117 , 300 , an d 30 2 

## [ " 1 Reportabl e Quantitie s - - Federall yPermitte d Release s AGENCY : Environmenta l Protectio n Agenc y(EPA ) ACTION : Propose d Rul e

SUMMARY : Section s 103(a ) an d 103(b ) o f the Comprehensiv e Environmenta l Response , Compensation , an d Liabilit yAc t o f 198 0 (CERCLA ) requir e tha t person s i n charg e o f vessel s o r facilitie s fro mwhic hhazardou s substance s hav e bee n release d in quantitie s tha t ar e equa l t o o r greate r than th e reportabl e quantitie s (RQs ) immediatel ynotif ythe Nationa l Respons e Cente r o f th e release . Sectio n 102(b ) set s a n RQ o f on e poun

d for hazardou s substances , excep t thos e fo r whic hRQ s hav e bee n establishe d pursuan t t o Sectio n 311(b)(4 ) o f th e Clea n Wate r Act . Sectio n 102(a ) authorize s the Environmenta l Protectio n Agenc yt o adjus t RQ s fo r hazardou s substance s an d t o designat e a s hazardou s substance s thos e substance s which , whe n release d int o the environment , ma

ypresen t substantia l dange r t o the publi c healt ho r welfar e o r th e environment . Sectio n 101(10 ) o f CERCL Adefine s "federall ypermitte d release " i n term s o f th e discharg e requirement s o f a numbe r o f Stat e an d Federa l programs . Th e notificatio n requiremen t unde r section s 103(a ) an d 103(b ) o f CERCL

Aapplie s t o an yreleas e o f a hazardou s substanc e "othe r than a federall ypermitte d release. " Sectio n 107(j ) o f CERCL Aals o exempt s a "federall ypermitte d release , excep t thos e federall ypermitte d release s define d b ysection sJP2^

v .

101(10)(B ) an d (C) , fro

mliabilityunde r CERCL Afo r respons e cost s an d damage s incurre d du e t o the release . Th e purpos e o f thi s rulemaking i s t o clarif ythe federall ypermitte d releas e exemptio n fro mCERCL Areleas e reporting an d liabilityprovisions . Th e Agenc yals o propose s i n thi s rul e t o mak e conforming change s t o the languag e o f 4 0 CFR Par t 117 . Finally , thi s rulemaking addresse s severa l issue s relate d t o th e definitio n o f "releas e int o the environment " unde r CERCLA . DATES : Comment s mus t b e receive d o n o r befor e [inser t 6 0 day s fro mFR publicatio n date] . ADDRESSES : Th e toll-fre e telephon e numbe r o f the Nationa l Respons e Cente r i s 1-800/424-8802 ; i n th e Washington , D C metropolita n area , th e numbe r i s 1-202/426-2675 . COMMENTS : Comment s shoul d b e submitte d i n triplicat e to : Emergenc yRespons e Division , Superfun

d Docke t Clerk , Attention : Docke t Numbe r 101(10 ) FPR , Roo m LG-100 , U.S . Environmenta l Protectio n Agency , 40 1 M Street , SW , Washington , DC 20460 . DOCKET : Copie s o f material s relevan t t o thi s rulemaking ar e kep t i n Roo m LG-100 , a t th e above address . Th e docke t i s availabl e fo r inspectio n betwee n 9:0 0 a.m . an

d 4:3 0 p.m . Monda

ythroug

hFriday , excluding Federa l holidays . A s provide d i n 4 0 CFR Par t 2 , a reasonabl e fe e ma yb e charge d fo r copying services . FOR FURTHE R INFORMATIO NCONTACT : Mr . Huber t Watters , Projec t Officer , Respons e Standard s an d Criteri a Branch , Emergenc yRespons e Divisio n (WH-548B) , U.S . Environmenta l Protectio n Agency , 40 1 M Street , SW , Washington , DC 20460 ,P. 3

o r th e RCRA/Superfun

d Hotlin e 1-800/424-9356 ; i n Washington , DC 1-202/382-300 0 SUPPLEMENTAR

Y INFORMATION : Th e content s o f today' s preambl e ar e listed i n th e following outline : I . Introductio n an d Genera l Comment s II . Element s o f the Exemptio n III . Release s int o the Environmen t A . I n Genera l B . PCB Wast e Disposa l IV . Discharge s t o POTW s V . Summar

yo f Supporting Analyse s
I . INTRODUCTIO

NAN D GENERA

L COMMENT S Th e Comprehensiv e Environmenta l Response , Compensation , an d Liabilit yAc t o f 198 0 (P.L . 96-510) , 4 2 U.S.C . 960 1 e t s_eq . (CERCL Ao r the Act) , enacte d on Decembe r 11 , 1980 , an d amende d b

ythe Superfun

d Amendment s an

d Reauthorizatio n Ac t o f 198 6 (SARA) , establishe s broad Federa l authorit yt o respon d t o release s o r threat s o f release s o f hazardou s substance s fro mvessel s an

d facilities . Sectio n 101(14 ) o f the Ac t define s the ter m"hazardou s substances " b y referenc e t o othe r environmenta l statute s wit hauthorit yfurthe r grante d t o th e Environmenta l Protectio n Agency(EPA ) t o designat e additiona l hazardou s substance s unde r CERCL Asectio n 102(a) . Th e CERCL Alis t currentl ycontain s 71 7 hazardou s substances . Sectio n 103(a ) o f the Ac t requir e that , a s soo n a s the perso n i n charg e o f a vesse l o r facilit yha s knowledg e o f a releas e o f a hazardou s substanc e fro m suc hvesse l o r facilit yi n a quantit yequa l t o o r greate r than the reportabl e quantit y(RQ ) fo r tha t substance , tha t perso n shal l notif yth e Nationa l Respons e Cente r immediately . Sectio n 102(b ) o f CERCL Aestablishe s RQ s fo r release s o f designate d hazardou s substance s a t on e pound , excep t fo r thos eP. 4

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substance s fo r whic hRQ s wer e establishe d pursuan t t o sectio n 311(b)(4 ) o f th e Clea n Wate r Ac t (CWA) . Sectio n 10 2 o f CERCL Aauthorize s EP

At o adjus t al l o f thes e RQs . Sectio n 103(b ) authorize s penalties , includin g crimina l sanctions , fo r person s i n charg e o f vessel s o r facilitie s wh o fai l t o repor t release s o f hazardou s substance s tha t equa l o r excee d RQs . Sectio n 10 9 o f SAR Aamend s sectio n 103(b ) o f CERCLA , increasing the maximu mpenaltie s an

d year s o f imprisonment . An

yperso n who , a s soo n a s tha t perso n ha s knowledg e o f a reportabl e release , fail s t o repor t th e releas e immediatel ypursuan t t o sectio n 103(b ) o r wh o submit s an yinformatio n whic hhe know s t o b e fals e o r misleading , shall , upo n conviction , b e fined in accordanc e wit hthe applicabl e provision s o f Titl e 18 , Unite d State s Cod e (no t mor e than $250,00 0 o r $500,000 , depending upo n whethe r th e violato r i s a n individua l o r a

n organization) , o r imprisone d for no t mor e than thre e year s (or no t mor e than five year s fo r secon d an d subsequen t convictions) , o r both . Notification s receive d unde r sectio n 103(b ) o r informatio n obtaine d b yexploitatio n o f such notification s canno t b e use d agains t an yreporting perso n i n an ycrimina l case , excep t a prosecutio n for perjuryo r fo r giving a fals e statement . Sectio n 10 9 o f SAR

Aals o provide s fo r a syste mo f administrativ e penaltie s fo r violation s o f CERCL Asectio n 103(b) , enforceabl e throughcivi l proceedings . On e o f th e exemption s fro msectio n 10 3 reporting requirement s i s fo r "federall ypermitte d releases. " Th e definitio n o f "federall ypermitte d release " i n CERCL

Asectio n 101(10 ) specificall yidentifie s release s permitte d unde r othe r environmenta l statutes , including :

• Discharge s covere d b ya Nationa l Pollutan t Discharg e Eliminatio n Syste

mpermit , permi t application , o r permi t administrativ e record ;P. 5

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• Discharge s i n complianc e wit ha legall yenforceabl e permi t fo r dredge d o r fil l material s unde r sectio n 40 4 o f the CWA ;

• Release s in complianc e wit ha legall yenforceabl e Resourc e Conservatio n an d Recover

yAc t (RCRA ) hazardou s wast e managemen t facilit yfina l permit ;

• Release s i n complianc e wit ha legall yenforceabl e permi t unde r the Marin e Protection , Research , an d Sanctuarie s Act ;

• An yinjection s o f fluid s authorize d unde r federall y approve d undergroun d injectio n contro l program s (includin

g federall yauthorize d Stat e programs ) pursuan t t o Par t C o f the Saf e Drinking Wate r Act ;

• An yai r emission s subjec t t o permi t o r contro l regulation s unde r certai n provision s o f the Clea n Ai r Ac t (CAA) ;

• An yinjection s o f fluid s o r othe r material s authorize d b yapplicabl e Stat e la wfo r the purpos e o f stimulating o r treating well s fo r th e productio n o f crud e oil , natura l gas , o r water , o r for othe r productio n o r enhance d recover

ypurposes ;

• Th e introductio n o f an ypollutan t int o a publicl y owne d treatmen t work s whe n suchpollutan t i s specifie d i n an d i n complianc e wit hpretreatmen t standard s an d a pretreatmen t progra msubmitte d t o EP

Afor approval ; an

d

• An yreleas e o f source , specia l nuclear , o r byproduc t materia l in complianc e wit ha legall yenforceabl e license , permit , regulation , o r orde r issued pursuan t t o th e Atomi c Energ

yAct . I n th e May25 , 1983 , Notic e o f Propose d Rulemaking (NPRM ) (4 8 FR 23552 ) tha t propose d t o adjus t certai n RQs , EP Aexplaine d the Agency' s interpretatio n o f eac ho f th e type s o f release s exempte d b ythe definitio n o f "federall y permitte d release. " EP Aha s decide d t o repropos e the rul e fo r federall y permitte d release s toda yrathe r than publis hthi s a s a fina l rul e becaus e o f th e amoun t o f time tha t ha s passe d sinc e the origina l proposal . EP Areceive d man ycomment s on variou s aspect s o f the federall ypermitte d releas e exemption , mos t o f whic hurge d a broade r interpretatio n o f on e o r mor e o f th e federall yP. 6

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- permitte d releases . Genera l comment s o n the scop e o f the exemptio n ar e discusse d below , followe d b ydiscussio n o f comment s o n specifi c type s o f federall ypermitte d releases . Severa l commenter s discusse d the potentia l duplicatio n betwee n CERCL A reporting requirement s an d reporting requirement s unde r existing permi t program s fo r release s exceeding level s se t b yth e terms o f th e permit . Thes e commenter s suggeste d that , becaus e permi t program s alread yma yrequir e notificatio n o f a regulator yauthorit yin the even t o f a releas e exceeding permi t levels , suc hrelease s shoul d b e exemp t fro mCERCL Anotificatio n requirements . EPAdoe s ho t agre e tha t suc hrelease s shoul d be considere d "federall ypermitted " o r tha t the yshoul d b e exemp t fro mnotificatio n whe n permitte d level s ar e exceede d b yan RQ o r more . Moreover , CERCL Asectio n 101(10 ) generall ylimit s the federall ypermitte d releas e exemptio n t o thos e release s "i n complianc e with " permitte d o r regulator yrequirements . A straightforwar d interpretatio n o f th e statut e indicate s tha t i f a releas e exceed s permitte d levels , i t i s no t "i n complianc e with " the permi t an d canno t b e "federall ypermitted. " Therefore , i f the amoun t o f the releas e exceeding th e permitte d level , i.e. , the portio n o f the releas e tha t i s no t federall y permitted , i s equa l t o o r exceed s th e RQ , th e releas e mus t b e reporte d immediatel yt o th e Nationa l Respons e Center . Thi s approac hals o avoid s th e numerou s an

d unnecessaryreport s tha t coul d b e generate d b yth e reporting o f smal l permi t excursion s tha t ar e bette r addresse d b ythe permitting authority . EPArecognize s tha t it s interpretatio n ma yresul t i n some duplicatio n o f notificatio n requirements . Nevertheless , th e Agenc ybelieve s tha t thi s interpretatio n i s require d b ythe plai n languag e o f the statut e an d i s essentia l t o ensur e adequat e protectio n o f publi c healt han d th e environment .P. 7

Ther e ar e significan t difference s betwee n the purpose s serve d b yCERCL A notificatio n an

d the purpose s o f permi t programs . Th e permi t notificatio n requirement s an

d the informatio n tha t i s reporte d unde r permi t program s may diffe r fro

mon e progra

mt o another . I f permi t notificatio n requirement s wer e allowe d t o suffic e for CERCL Anotification , th e informatio n availabl e t o th e CERCL Aprogra

mo n release s ma

yb e inconsisten t an d incomplete . Permi t program s als o diffe r i n thei r reporting mechanism s an d d o no t alway s requir e immediat e notification . I n some cases , release s i n exces s o f permitte d level s nee d onl yb e reporte d a t specifi c interval s (e.g. , monthly) . Moreover , release s i n exces s o f permi t level s ar e reporte d t o differen t Federa l an d Stat e authorities , depending upo n the permit . CERCL Arequire s immediat e notificatio n t o a centra l office , the Nationa l Respons e Center , a s soo n a s the perso n i n charg e ha s knowledg e o f a release , s o tha t timel yrespons e ma yb e initiate d i f EP

Adetermine s tha t the releas e ma ypresen t substantia l dange r t o publi c healt ho r th e environment . Moreover , EP

Ai s no t convince d tha t requiring person s i n charg e o f a vesse l o r facilityt o mak e on e additiona l phon e cal l t o a toll-fre e numbe r constitute s an undu e burde n o n the regulate d community . I n th e Agency' s view , th e benefit s o f immediatel yreporting potentiall yharmfu l release s t o a centra l agencyoutweighan ymino r additiona l requirement s impose d o n releaser s o f hazardou s substances . Severa l commenter s recommende d tha t release s b e considere d federall y permitte d release s (an d therefor e exemp t fro mCERCL Anotificatio n an

d liabilit yprovisions ) i f theyar e exemp t fro mregulatio n b

yth e statute s listed i n CERCL

Asectio n 101(10) . Th e exemptio n o f a typ e o f releas e fro m regulatio n unde r a particula r statute , however , mayhav e littl e o r n o bearingP. 8

o n whethe r a Federa l respons e actio n migh t b e neede d for a specifi c release . Th e Agencyha s determined , therefore , tha t release s exemp t fro mregulatio n b

y the statute s listed in sectio n 101(10 ) wil l no t b e considere d federall y permitte d releases . Fo r example , discharge s o f dredg e o r fil l materia l fro m norma l farming , silviculture , an d ranching activitie s tha t ar e exempte d unde r CW Asectio n 404(f ) fro mdredg e an

d fil l permi t requirement s ar e no t "federall y permitted " fo r purpose s o f CERCLA , an d mus t b e reporte d whe n th e discharg e contain s hazardou s substance s tha t hav e bee n release d in amount s equalling o r exceeding th e applicabl e RQs . On e commente r requeste d tha t a releas e stil l b e considere d a federall y permitte d releas e whe n ther e i s onl ya "technical " violatio n o f permi t condition s (i.e. , wher e the violatio n relate s t o operating , monitoring , o r reporting procedure s an d doe s no t affec t the characte r o r quantit yo f the release) . EP

Aagree s tha t notificatio n o f th e Nationa l Respons e Cente r woul d b e unnecessaryi n suc ha cas e an d shoul d b e addresse d b ythe permi t program s a s a permi t violation . I f the characteristic s o f a releas e (boththe substanc e involve d an d the quantit yo r concentration ) ar e in complianc e wit ha permi t describe d i n sectio n 101(10) , CERCL Anotificatio n wil l no t b e required . However , t o th e exten t tha t a releas e exceed s the permi t limi t wit h regard t o th e quantit yo f a substance , i t wil l no t b e considere d a federall y permitte d releas e an d CERCL Anotificatio n wil l b e require d whe n th e releas e o f th e hazardou s substanc e exceed s it s permitte d leve l b ya n RQ o r more . Fo r thos e Federa l permi t program s tha t d o no t include , i n individua l permits , specifi c numerica l level s fo r hazardou s substances , an yreleas e tha t equal s o r exceed s an RQ an

d i s no t in complianc e wit hth e term s o f the permi t mus t b e reporte d t o th e Nationa l Respons e Center .P. 9

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Severa l commenter s urge d tha t variou s type s o f release s (sucha s al l "routine " release s o r release s covere d b yothe r permi t programs ) no t mentione d i n sectio n 101(10 ) b e considere d federall ypermitte d releases . EP Acanno t suppor t thi s position . Federall ypermitte d release s ar e specificall ylisted i n sectio n 101(10) . Thi s detaile d lis t clearl yindicate s tha t Congres s di d no t inten

d othe r release s t o b e exemp t unde r thi s provision .

II . ELEMENT S O F TH E EXEMPTIO N Eac hfederall ypermitte d releas e exemptio n i s discusse d below . Relevan t comment s receive d o n the Ma y25 , 198 3 NPR

M pertaining t o eachexemptio n als o ar e discussed . Release s fro

mPoin t Source s wit hNationa l Pollutan t Discharg e Eliminatio n Syste m(NPDES ) Permits . Sectio n 101(10 ) identifie s thre e type s o f release s fro mpoin t source s wit hNPDE S permit s a s federall ypermitte d releases :

(A ) discharge s i n complianc e wit ha permi t unde r sectio n 40 2 o f th e Federa l Wate r Pollutio n Contro l Act , (B ) discharge s resulting fro mcircumstance s identifie d an d reviewe d an

d mad e par t o f the publi c record wit hrespec t t o a permi t issued o r modifie d unde r sectio n 40 2 o f the Federa l Wate r Pollutio n Contro l Ac t an d subjec t t o a conditio n o f suc hpermit , (C ) continuou s o r anticipate d intermitten t discharge s fro

ma poin t source , identifie d i n a permi t o r permi t applicatio n unde r sectio n 40 2 o f the Federa l Wate r Pollutio n Contro l Act , whic har e cause d b yevent s occurring withi n th e scop e o f relevan t operating o r treatmen t systems... . Thi s languag e i s identica l t o tha t use d i n sectio n 311(a)(2 ) o f th e CW At o exclud e thes e release s fro mth e ter

m"discharge " wit hrespec t t o EPA' s oi l an d hazardou s substanc e spil l respons e an d preventio n program . Furthermore , Congres s intended , i n enacting CERCL Asectio n 101(10)(A) , (B) , an d (C) , tha t EPA' s interpretatio n o f the provision s unde r the CW Ab e continue d unde rP.1 0

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CERCLA . (Se e Sen . Rep . 96-848 , 96t hCong. , 2n d Sess . 4 7 (1980). ) Reflectiv e o f Congressiona l intent , the Agenc ypropose s toda ytha t the interpretatio n provide d i n the regulator ylanguag e an

d the preamble s t o the rule s implementing CW

Asectio n 311(a)(2 ) be applie d t o the NPDE S exemption s unde r CERCL Asectio n 101(10)(A) , (B) , an d (C) . Th e legislative histor yo f th e CW

Aexplain s tha t th e purpos e o f sectio n 311(a)(2 ) wa s t o exclud e fro m sectio n 31 1 coverag e thre e type s o f discharge s subjec t t o CW

Asection s 40 2 NPDE S an d 30 9 enforcemen t provisions . Senato r Stafford explaine d that :

.. . w e ar e attempting t o dra wa line betwee n the provision s o f th e [CWA ] unde r section s 301 , 304 , 40 2 regulating chroni c discharge s an

d 31 1 dealing wit hspills . At extremes , i t i s relativel yeasyt o focu s o n the differenc e but . i t ca n become complicated . Th e concep t can b e summarize d b ystating tha t thos e discharge s o f pollutant s tha t a reasonabl e man woul d conclud e ar e associate d wit hpermits , permi t conditions , operatio n o f treatmen t technolog yan d permi t violation s woul d resul t i n 402/30 9 sanctions ; thos e discharge s o f pollutant s tha t a reasonabl e ma n woul d conclud e ar e episodi c o r classica l spill s no t intende d o r capabl e o f being processe d throug

hthe permitte d treatmen t syste man d outfal l woul d resul t i n the applicatio n o f sectio n 311. " (12 4 Congressiona l Record 3768 3 (1978). ) I n 1979 , the Agenc ypromulgate d 4 0 CFR Par t 11 7 tha t contain s CW A reporting requirement s for discharge s o f hazardou s substance s (4 4 FR 50776 , Augus t 29 , 1979) . Sectio n 117.1 2 provide d a regulator yinterpretatio n o f the thre e exclusion s t o the definitio n o f "discharge " i n CW Asectio n 311(a)(2) , an d th e preambl e t o tha t rul e provide d a detaile d explanatio n o f th e thre e type s o f exclude d discharges . I n 1985 , EP Apropose d t o amen

d th e definitio n o f "discharge " i n 4 0 CFR Par t 110 , the discharg e o f oi l regulation , t o codif y th e thre e CW

Aexclusion s (5 0 FR 9775 , Marc h11 , 1985) . Th e preambl e t o th e propose d oi l discharg e rul e adopte d the descriptio n o f th e thre e exclusion s fro mthe 197 9 preambl e t o 4 0 CF R Par t 117 .P.1 1

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I n today' s rule , the Agencydoe s no t propos e t o revis e th e existin g codificatio n o f CERCL Asectio n 101(10)(A) , (B) , an d (C ) i n th e Nationa l ContingencyPlan (4 0 CFR Par t 300) . Instead , the Agencypropose s t o continu e th e existing interpretatio n o f the thre e type s o f discharge s tha t ar e exclude d fro mcoverag e unde r CW Asectio n 311 , an

d t o appl ytha t interpretatio n t o th e firs t thre e type s o f discharge s include d i n the definitio n o f "federall y permitte d release " unde r CERCL Asectio n 101(10) . Thi s interpretatio n applie s t o the following regulator yprovisions : 4 0 CF R 110.1 , 117.12 , an d 300.6 . Th e Agency , however , i s proposing t o mak e two clarifying amendment s t o 4 0 CFR 117.12 , tha t wil l b e explaine d belowi n the appropriat e discussion s o f th e type s o f discharges . Therefore , unde r bot hCW Asectio n 31 1 an

d CERCLA , an

ydischarg e o r releas e o f a hazardou s substanc e tha t i s no t federall ypermitted , a s describe d below , mus t b e reporte d immediatel yt o the Nationa l Respons e Cente r i f i t exceed s permi t limit s b

ya n RQ o r more ; i f the hazardou s substanc e discharg e o r releas e i s no t subjec t t o a numerica l permi t limit , an ydischarg e o r releas e tha t trigger s a permi t violatio n an d equal s o r exceed s an R Q mus t b e reporte d immediately . Similarly , unde r 4 0 CF R Par t 110 , an

yoi l discharg e tha t trigger s a permi t violatio n an d cause s a

n oi l shee n mus t b e reporte d immediately . Discharge s exclude d fro mCW Asectio n 31 1 coverag e an d define d a s federall y permitte d release s unde r CERCL Asection s 101(10)(A) , (B) , an d (C ) ar e subjec t t o the CW

Asectio n 30 9 enforcemen t provisio n tha t provide s EP Awit hthe authorit yt o issu e complianc e orders , bring civi l actions , an d impos e crimina l an d civi l penalties . I n addition , unde r CW Asectio n 311(b)(6)(D) , i f th e Federa l governmen t incur s an ycost s o f remova l o f discharge s exclude d b yP.1 2

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sectio n 311(a)(2)(C) , the Federa l governmen t can bring a civi l actio n unde r the authorit yprovide d b yCW Asectio n 309(b ) t o recove r suc hremova l costs . Furthermore , unde r CERCL Asectio n 10 7 (j) , th e respons e cost s incurre d b yth e Federa l governmen t in connectio n wit hthe federall ypermitte d release s define d b ysectio n 101(10 ) (B ) an d (C ) can b e recovere d throug ha civi l actio n brough t unde r th e authorit yo f CW Asectio n 309(b) . Th e reporting requirement s for release s subjec t t o CERCL Asectio n 101(10)(A) , (B) , an d (C ) an

d exclude d fro

mCW Asectio n 311(a)(2 ) ar e subjec t t o th e CW

Asectio n 40 2 24-hour notice . Th e Agencyacknowledge s tha t Congres s recognize d tha t the 24-hour reporting requiremen t ma y"creat e gap s i n actio n necessaryt o protec t the publi c o r the environment. " (Se e Senat e Repor t No . 96-84 8 (1980) , p.47. ) Congres s suggeste d tha t the Agencyamen d th e CW

A sectio n 40 2 reporting regulatio n t o requir e tha t thos e release s exclude d fro m CW Asectio n 31 1 coverag e an d exemp t fro

mthe CERCL

Asectio n 10 3 reporting requiremen t unde r sectio n 101(10)(A) , (B) , an d (C ) b e subjec t t o a n immediat e notificatio n requiremen t unde r the CW Asectio n 40 2 NPDE S regulations . (Ibid. ) Th e Agencyha s no t ye t amende d the NPDE S regulation s t o requir e immediat e notificatio n o f thos e release s exemp t fro msectio n 31 1 an

d CERCLA . However , the Agencyi s considering two approache s t o remedying th e reporting "gap ' identifie d b

yCongress : eithe r amen d the regulation s implementing CW A sectio n 31 1 (4 0 CFR Part s 11 0 an d 117 ) an

d CERCL Asectio n 10 3 (4 0 CFR Par t 302 ) t o requir e immediat e notificatio n fo r the exempte d releases , o r amen d th e CW Asectio n 40 2 NPDE S regulation s (4 0 CFR Par t 122 ) t o revis e th e 24-hour notificatio n requiremen t t o a n immediat e notificatio n requiremen t for th e exempte d releases . Befor e th e Agencypropose s t o requir e immediat e notificatio n fo r th e exempte d releases , th e Agenc ysolicit s comment s o n th eP.1 3

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- "reporting gap, " suc has , example s o f situation s wher e th e 24-hour notic e wa s no t sufficien t t o protec t human healt han d the environment , an d comment s o n th e approache s discusse d above . I n th e paragraph s tha t follow , the thre e type s o f NPDE S discharge s tha t correspon

d t o the federall ypermitte d release s i n CERCL Asection s 101(10)(A) , (B) , an d (C ) ar e described . Fo r simplicity , thes e discharge s wil l b e referre d t o a s Typ e A , B , an d C , respectively . Typ e Adischarge s ar e thos e tha t ar e i n complianc e wit han NPDE S permi t limi t tha t specificall yaddresse s the discharg e i n question . T o qualif ya s a Typ e Adischarge , th e permi t mus t eithe r addres s the discharg e directl y throughspecifi c effluen t limitation s o r throughth e us e o f indicato r pollutants . I n th e cas e o f the latter , the administrative record prepare d during permi t developmen t mus t specificall yidentif ythe discharg e o f th e pollutan t a s on e o f thos e pollutant s th e indicato r i s intende d t o represent . Typ e B discharge s ar e foreseeabl e (i.e. , identifie d in the NPDE S permit' s developmen t record ) an d flo wint o a facility' s effluen t treatmen t syste m designe d t o trea t the discharge . Thi s secon d typ e o f discharg e i s limited t o on-sit e spill s t o the permitte d treatmen t syste mtha t wer e identifie d an d considere d i n th e issuanc e o f the permi t bu t ar e no t subjec t t o an yspecifi c effluen t limitations . Discharge s ar e include d onl ywher e (1 ) th e source , nature , an

d amoun t o f a potentia l discharg e wer e identifie d an d mad e par t o f th e publi c record , an d (2 ) the permi t containe d a conditio n requiring tha t the treatmen t syste

mb e capabl e o f eliminating o r abating the potentia l discharge . Therefore , i f a

n on-sit e spil l wa s processe d througha treatmen t syste m capabl e o f eliminating o r abating th e spill , an d th e spil l i s subjec t t o a permi t condition , a discharg e resulting fro mth e on-sit e spil l woul d b eP.1 4

•14

- subjec t t o CW

Asection s 40 2 an

d 30 9 an

d woul d b e a federall ypermitte d release . I f an on-sit e spil l i s no t passe d throug ha treatmen t syste mo r i s no t otherwis e treate d in an yway , the discharg e resultin g fro mthe on-sit e spil l i s subjec t t o CW Asectio n 31 1 an

d i s no t a federall ypermitte d release . Also , discharge s tha t resul t fro mon-sit e spill s tha t ar e passe d throug h treatmen t system s (1 ) tha t hav e no t bee n demonstrate d a s capabl e o f eliminating o r abating the discharg e an d (2 ) fo r whic hn o permi t condition . exist s ar e subjec t t o CW Asectio n 31 1 an

d ar e no t federall ypermitte d release s unde r CERCLA . A"condition " woul d includ e the existenc e o f a treatmen t syste mo r releas e preventio n plan s an d othe r bes t managemen t practice s designe d t o addres s th e discharge . Bes t managemen t practice s ar e operating method s o r procedure s t o preven t o r minimiz e the potentia l fo r the discharg e o f toxi c o r hazardou s substance s fro

mprocesse s ancillar yt o the industria l manufacturing o r treatmen t process . Fo r example , a discharge r ha s a drainag e syste mwhic hwil l rout e spille d materia l fro ma broke n hos e connectio n t o a holding tan k o r basi n fo r subsequen t treatmen t o r discharg e a t a specifie d rate . T o b e eligibl e a s a Typ e B discharge , the discharge r mus t specificall yidentif ysuc h a syste mi n th e permi t application . Th e propose d permi t conditio n mus t b e sufficien t t o trea t the maximu mpotentia l spil l fro mthe identifie d source . Discharge s tha t resul t fro ma n on-sit e spil l large r an d mor e concentrate d than th e spil l contemplate d in the publi c record , an d fo r whic ha conditio n wa s provide d i n th e permit , wil l b e subjec t t o CW ASectio n 31 1 an

d CERCL A notificatio n an

d liabilityprovision s (i.e. , th e discharg e wil l no t b e a federall ypermitte d release) . Today' s rul e propose s t o amen d 4 0 CFR 117.12(c ) b ydeleting th e phras e "whethe r o r no t th e discharg e i s in complianc e wit hthe permit, " fo r Typ e BP.1 5

-15

- discharges , t o avoi d confusio n cause d b yth e phrase . Th e phras e wa s originall yinclude d in the rul e becaus e Typ e B discharge s ar e discharge s tha t resul t fro

mcircumstance s identifie d an d considere d in the issuanc e o f a permi t bu t tha t ar e no t subjec t t o an yspecifi c effluen t limitations . Th e Agenc yi s concerne d tha t the phras e ma yb e incorrectl yinterprete d t o mea n tha t Typ e B discharge s coul d includ e discharge s wher e the permitte e di d no t satisf yth e conditio n place d in the permit . Becaus e the Agencyconsider s tha t (1 ) the distinctio n betwee n the Typ e Aan d Typ e B discharge s i s sufficientl y clea r an

d (2 ) th e phras e cause s confusion , th e Agencypropose s t o delet e th e phras e fro

mthe regulation . Th e Agenc ysolicit s comment s on thi s propose d revisio n t o 4 0 CFR 117.12(c) . Typ e C discharge s ar e fro ma poin t sourc e an d ar e (1 ) continuou s o r anticipate d intermittent , (2 ) identifie d i n a permi t o r permi t application , an d (3 ) cause d b

yevent s occurring withi n the scop e o f the relevan t operating an d treatmen t systems . Include d withi n the scop e o f thi s provisio n ar e chronic , process-relate d discharge s resulting fro mperiodi c upset s i n th e manufacturing an

d treatmen t systems , fo r example , the discharg e create d b ya syste mbackwash . Discharge s cause d b yspill s o r episodi c event s tha t releas e hazardou s substance s t o th e manufacturing o r treatmen t system s ar e no t Typ e C discharges . Th e languag e o f 4 0 CFR 117.12(d ) provide s furthe r example s o f discharge s tha t fi t withi n th e categor y- - provide d tha t an on-sit e spil l i s no t th e cause , contaminatio n o f noncontac t cooling wate r o r stor mwater ; an upse t o r failur e o f a treatmen t syste mo r o f a proces s producing a continuou s o r anticipate d intermitten t discharge ; o r wher e th e discharg e originate s i n th e manufacturing o r treatmen t systems , a continuou s o r anticipate d discharg e o f proces s wast e water .P.1 6

-16

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Th e Agenc yha s identifie d a typ e o f releas e tha t ma yb e unregulate d unde r bot hthe CW

Asection s 40 2 an

d 309 , an

d CW Asectio n 31 1 an

d CERCLA . Sucha releas e woul d b e exclude d fro msectio n 31 1 coverag e an d considere d a federall y permitte d releas e a s a Typ e C discharge . I f a discharg e i s (1 ) continuou s o r anticipate d intermittent , (2 ) cause d b yevent s occurring withi n the scop e o f th e operating o r treatmen t system , (3 ) identifie d i n the permi t application , an d (4 ) no t cause d b

yan on-sit e spill , the discharg e i s no t covere d unde r CW A sectio n 31 1 an

d i s considere d a federall ypermitte d releas e unde r CERCLA . However , althoughidentifie d in the permi t application , i f suc ha discharg e i s no t eventuall yidentifie d i n the effective permit , i t i s no t covere d unde r CW A section s 40 2 an

d 309 . Th e Agencyexpect s tha t thi s apparen t ga p in coverag e i s addresse d i n th e NPDE S permitting proces s b yincludin

g in th e permi t a limi t o r conditio n necessar yt o eliminat e o r abat e discharge s tha t woul d resul t i n har

mt o publi c healt han d the environment . Th e Agencysolicit s comment s o n the practica l exten t o f thi s apparen t gap . Th e Agenc yi s proposing in today' s rul e t o amen d 4 0 CF R 117.12(d)(2)(iii ) b ydeleting th e ter

m"operato r error " fro mth e descriptio n o f "an upse t o r failur e o f a treatmen t system." 1 Th e reason s for the proposa l t o eliminat e th e ter m"operato r error " are : (1 ) th e us e o f th e ter m"operato r error " i n describing an upse t i s inconsisten t wit hthe NPDE S regulation s (4 0 CFR 122.41 )

Sectio n 117.12(d)(2)(iii ) presentl ystates : (iii ) A n upse t o r failur e o f a treatmen t syste mo r o f a proces s producing a continuou s o r anticipate d intermitten t discharg e wher e the upse t o r failur e result s fro ma contro l problem , a n operato r error , a systemfailur e o r malfunction , a n equipmen t o r syste mstartu

p o r shutdown , a

n equipmen t wash , o r a productio n schedul e change , provide d tha t suc hupse t o r failur e i s no t cause d b ya n on-sit e spil l o f a hazardou s substance .P.1 7

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tha t provid e tha t a discharg e cause d b yoperato r erro r i s no t an upset ; an d (2 ) the Agencybelieve s tha t discharge s cause d b yoperato r erro r ar e no t likel yt o b e "continuou s o r anticipate d intermitten t discharges, " a s provide d b ythe statutor

ylanguage . Th e concep t o f "upset " wa s firs t introduce d i n the NPDE S regulation s i n a propose d rul e o n Augus t 21 , 1978 , a s a justificatio n fo r NPDE S permi t noncomplianc e (4 3 FR 37078 , 37094) . "Upset " wa s describe d a s "an exceptiona l incident " cause d b

y"factor s beyon

d th e reasonabl e contro l o f th e permittee " whe n the facilit ywa s "bein g operate d i n a pruden t an d workmanlik e manne r an d i n complianc e wit happlicabl e operatio n an d maintenanc e procedures " an d no t th e resul t o f "careles s o r imprope r operation " (§122.14(m) , Ibid.) . If , i n a complianc e proceeding , a discharge r coul d demonstrat e tha t it s permi t violatio n wa s th e resul t o f a n upset , the n the upse t demonstratio n provide s a defens e agains t the noncomplianc e charge . Th e ter m"operato r error " wa s no t employe d i n th e upse t discussio n i n th e propose d NPDE S rule , bu t on e coul d argu e a n operato r erro r coul d occur whe n th e facilit ywa s being properl y operated . Th e regulator yinterpretatio n o f "upset " provide d i n the 197 8 propose d rul e wa s the onl yon e tha t existed , althoug hno t effective , whe n Congres s enacte d CW Asectio n 311(a)(2 ) i n Octobe r 197 8 an d the Agenc ypropose d 4 0 CFR 117.1 2 i n February1979 . Th e propose d §117.1 2 include d operato r erro r withi n th e scop e o f th e ter m"upset, " an

d therefor e propose d t o exclud e fro m CW Asectio n 31 1 coverag e discharge s tha t resul t fro mupset s cause d b

yoperato r erro r (4 4 FR 10272). 2

discharge s resulting fro mupset s cause d b

yoperato r erro r ar e no t covere d unde r CW

Asectio n 311 ; however , theywoul d be subjec t t o regulatio n unde r CW

Asection s 40 2 an

d 309 .P.1 8

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I t i s importan t t o not e the terms "upset " an d "operato r error " wer e use d fo r differen t purpose s i n the NPDE S regulation s an d the sectio n 31 1 regulations . Th e us e o f the ter m"operationa l error " a s an exclusio n t o the ter m"upset " in the NPDE S regulation s fulfill s bot henforcemen t an d regulator

y purposes . Comparatively , the purpos e o f the ter m"operato r error " i n modifying "upset " i n the sectio n 31 1 regulatio n simpl yprovide s an example . Th e NPDE S regulation s wer e revise d an d promulgate d o n Jun e 7 , 197 9 (se e 4 4 FR 32863 , 32906) . I n the revise d versio n o f the NPDE S regulations , operationa l erro r wa s exclude d fro mthe scop e o f "upset " i n respons e t o comment s receive d o n the propose d NPDE S rule . Unde r the fina l NPDE S rules , therefore , i f a discharg e i s the resul t o f an upse t cause d b yoperationa l error , the n th e discharge r canno t us e the upse t defens e agains t a noncomplianc e charge . Th e §117.1 2 rule , however , wa s promulgate d a s proposed , fo r purpose s o f thi s discussion , i.e. , upse t coul d b e rea d t o includ e operato r error . Therefore , the us e o f the ter moperator/operationa l erro r i n th e upse t provision s o f th e NPDE S regulation s an d §117.1 2 i s inconsistent . Th e Agenc y believe s tha t th e upse t provision s i n the NPDE S regulatio n an d th e spil l preventio n regulatio n (§117.12 ) shoul d b e consisten t and , furthermore , tha t upse t provision s wer e originall yintende d t o b e consisten t i n the propose d rules . Fo r thi s reason , a s wel l a s thos e provide d below , the Agenc yi s proposing t o delet e the ter m"operato r error " fro m§117.12 . Additionally , the Agenc ydoe s no t expec t tha t a discharg e cause d b y operato r erro r woul d resul t in a "continuous " o r a n "anticipate d intermittent " release , a s describe d b ythe statutor

ylanguag e o f CW

Asectio n 311(a)(2 ) an d CERCL Asectio n 101(10)(C) . Th e Agenc ywoul d expec t discharge s cause d b y operato r erro r t o b e episodi c an d unpredictable , a s compare d t o discharge sP.1 9

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-

caused b

ysyste mstartup s an

d shutdowns . Th e propose d deletio n o f the ter m "operato r error " i s intended t o enhanc e the clarit yan d consistencyo f th e regulator

ylanguag e an

d i s no t mean t t o signa l a chang e i n policy . I t i s possibl e tha t unde r som e circumstance s an operato r erro r ma ycaus e a failur e o f a treatmen t syste mo r process , an

d produc e a continuou s o r anticipate d intermitten t discharge . Sucha discharg e ma ymee t th e requirement s fo r a federall ypermitte d release . Th e ter m"upset " a s use d in 4 0 CFR Par t 117 , however , generall ywil l b e interprete d t o b e consisten t wit hth e ter m"upset " i n 4 0 CFR Par t 122 , i.e. , i t doe s no t includ e incident s cause d b yoperationa l error . Th e Agenc yrequest s comment s o n it s proposa l t o delet e operato r erro r fro m §117.12(d)(2)(iii) . Generally , Congres s coordinate d CW Aauthorit ywit hCERCL Aauthority . Fo r example , al l hazardou s substance s regulate d unde r CW Asectio n 31 1 ar e define d a s hazardou s substance s unde r CERCLA , althoug hthe CERCL

Ahazardou s substanc e univers e i s large r than the CW Auniverse . Anothe r exampl e i s tha t Congress , i n recognizing bot hthe broad reac ho f CW Asectio n 504 , whic hprovide s EP A wit hth e authorit yt o bring sui t t o restrai n an yperso n fro

man actio n causing o r contributing t o a n imminen t an

d substantia l endangermen t o r t o tak e othe r action , an

d sectio n 504' s limited funding , repeale d the fundin g authorizatio n fo r sectio n 504 , directe d tha t the balanc e o f th e sectio n 50 4 fund s b e transferre d t o the Superfund , an d allowe d the authorit yt o bring sui t t o stand . Unde r sectio n 50 4 a s amended , therefore , th e Agencycanno t tak e abatemen t actio n bu t can bring sui t t o restrai n furthe r harm . Th e Agenc ycan tak e a respons e actio n unde r CERCLA .P.2 0

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Finally , th e Agenc ywishe s t o clarif ytha t th e geographi c scop e o f CERCL A fo r th e purpose s o f thes e thre e NPDE S exemption s i s boun d byth e definition s
o f "coasta l zone " an d "inlan d zone " containe d i n th e Nationa l Contingenc y Plan , 4 0 CF R Par t 300 . Coasta l zon e i s define d as :

.. . al l U.S . water s o f th e Grea t Lakes , specifie d port s an d harbor s o n th e inlan d rivers , water s o f th e contiguou s zone , othe r water s o f th e hig hsea s subjec t t o thi s [Nationa l Contingency ] Plan , an d th e land surfac e o r land substrata , groun d waters , an d ambien t ai r proxima l t o thos e waters . Th e ter mcoasta l zon e delineate s a n are a o f Federa l responsibilit yfo r respons e action . Precis e boundarie s ar e determine d byEPA/USC G agreement s an d identifie d i n Federa l regiona l contingenc yplans . (4 0 CF R 300.6 ) Inlan d zone s ar e define d as :

.. . th e environmen t inlan d o f th e coasta l zon e excludin g th e Grea t Lake s an d specifie d port s an d harbor s o f inlan d rivers . Th e ter minlan d zon e delineate s th e are a o f Federa l responsibilit yfo r respons e action . Precis e boundarie s ar e determine d byEPA/USC G agreemen t an d identifie d i n Federa l regiona l contingenc yplans . (4 0 CF R 300.6 ) Release s Subjec t t o CWASectio n 404 Permits . Discharge s tha t compl ywit h

a legall yenforceabl e permi t fo r dredg e o r fil l material s unde r sectio n 40 4 o f th e CWAals o ar e federall ypermitte d release s exemp t fro mth e notificatio n requirement s o f CERCL Asection s 103(a ) an d (b) . Befor e issuin g thes e permits , th e governmen t review s th e substance s t o b e discharged . Permit s allowin g th e discharg e o f hazardou s substance s ar e issue d onl yi f n o significan t degradatio n o f th e aquati c environmen t wil l result . Thi s exemptio n applie s t o discharge s i n complianc e wit hth e term s an d condition s o f eithe r a n individua l
o r a genera l CWAsectio n 404 permit . I n regulation s implementin g sectio n 31 1 o f th e CWAfo r hazardou s substances , 4 0 CF R 117.1 2 (bu t no t th e regulation s fo r oi l i n 4 0 CF R Par t 110) , EP Aexempte d fro mth e notificatio n requiremen t no t onl ythos e release s whic hwer e i n complianc e wit hsectio n 40 4 permits , bu t als o thos e release sP.2 1

-21

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tha t wer e exemp t fro mpermi t requirement s unde r sectio n 40 4 o f th e CW A (section s 404(f ) an

d 404(r)) . Thes e latte r release s ar e no t "federall y permitte d releases " for purpose s o f CERCLA ; therefore , release s o f a hazardou s substanc e equa l t o o r greate r tha n a n RQ mus t b e reported . Release s i n complianc e wit ha legall yenforceabl e permi t unde r sectio n 40 4 o f th e CW Anee d no t b e reported . Release s fro

mFacilitie s wit hFina l RCR APermits . Release s i n complianc e wit ha legall yenforceabl e RCR Atreatment , storage , o r disposa l fina l permi t are , pursuan t t o CERCL Asectio n 101(10)(E) , federall ypermitte d release s whe n the hazardou s substance s release d ar e specifie d in the permi t an d subjec t unde r th e permi t t o a specifi c limitation , standard , o r contro l procedur e (se e 4 0 CFR Part s 26 4 an d 270 ) . Identifying release s on th e record during the permi t proces s i s insufficien t t o qualif ythe mfor the sectio n 101(10)(E ) exemptio n becaus e in orde r t o b e exemp t th e substance s mus t b e specifie d i n th e permi t an

d subjec t t o some permi t conditio n o r control . Fou r commenter s requeste d tha t facilitie s wit hinteri mstatu s pursuan t t o sectio n 3005(e ) o f RCR Aan d 4 0 CFR Par t 26 5 b e include d i n the "federall y permitte d release " definition . Some o f th e commenter s indicate d tha t i t ma y b e some time befor e thes e facilitie s ar e issued fina l permits . Th e Agency agree s tha t disposa l o f hazardou s substance s a t a disposa l facilit yi n accordanc e wit hEPAregulation s shoul d no t b e subjec t t o CERCL Anotificatio n requirements . However , the Agenc ydisagree s tha t disposa l int o an interi m statu s facilit yb e considere d a "federall ypermitte d release " an d therefor e exemp t fro

mth e CERCL

Asectio n 10 7 liabilit yprovision . Wher e (1 ) th e disposa l o f waste s int o interi mstatu s facilitie s i s properl ydocumente d throughth e RCR

Amanifes t syste

man d RCR Aregulation s ar e followe d an d (2 ) the-22

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facilityi s in complianc e wit hal l applicabl e regulation s an d permi t conditions , notificatio n unde r CERCL Adoe s no t provid e additiona l benefit . I f the dispose r know s tha t the facilityi s no t i n compliance , however , disposa l o f a n R Q o r mor e o f a hazardou s substanc e mus t be reported . Spill s o r accident s occurring during disposa l tha t resul t i n release s o f RQ s o f hazardou s substance s als o mus t b e reported . (Se e 5 0 FR 13461 , Apri l 4 , 1985. ) Release s Pursuan t t o Marin e Protection , Research , an d Sanctuarie s Ac t Permits . Sectio n 101(10)(F ) o f CERCL Aincludes , i n the definitio n o f a federall ypermitte d release , release s i n complianc e wit hlegall yenforceabl e permit s issued unde r sectio n 10 2 (EP Aocean dumping permits ) o r sectio n 10 3 (Corp s o f Engineer s permit s for ocean dumping o f dredge d materials ) o f th e Marin e Protection , Research , an d Sanctuarie s Act . Pursuan t t o EP A regulations , applicant s for ocean dumping permit s mus t identif yth e physica l an d chemica l propertie s o f the material s t o b e discharged , an d th e permi t mus t identif yth e material s whic hma yb e discharge d (se e 4 0 CFR Part s 221 , 227) . Simila r procedure s an d criteri a appl yt o permit s fo r ocean dumping o f dredge d materia l (se e 3 3 CFR Par t 324) . Thes e EP Aan d Corp s o f Engineer s permit s cove r substance s tha t can b e lawfull ydischarged . Dumping o f hazardou s substance s no t specificall yallowe d i n thes e permit s i s subjec t t o th e notificatio n requirement s o f CERCL Asectio n 103(a) . Undergroun

d Injection s Authorize d Pursuan t t o th e Saf e Drinking Wate r Act . CERCL Asectio n 101(10)(G ) exempt s fro mth e notificatio n requirement s "an y injectio n o f fluids " authorize d unde r Federa l injectio n contro l program s o r Stat e program s submitte d fo r Federa l approva l pursuan t t o Par t C o f th e Saf e Drinking Wate r Ac t (an d no t disapprove d b yEPA ) (section 101(10)(G)) . EPAha s publishe d regulation s establishing technica l standard s an d criteri a (4 0 CFR Par t 146 ) an d regulation s governing approva l o f Stat e-23

-

program s an

d permi t procedure s (4 0 CFR Part s 122-124) . Unde r the Saf e Drinking Wate r Act , the State s ar e t o tak e the primar yrol e i n implementing th e undergroun

d injectio n contro l program ; EP Ai s t o administe r th e progra m onl yi f th e Stat e fail s t o submi t a n approvabl e progra mwithi n a specifie d time period . An

yundergroun

d injectio n o f hazardou s substance s permitte d unde r a Stat e progra mapprove d b

yEP Ao r unde r a

n EPA-administere d progra mar e considere d federall ypermitte d for purpose s o f CERCL Anotification . Emission s Subjec t t o Clea n Ai r Ac t Controls . Sectio n 101(10)(H ) o f CERCL A provide s an exemptio n for hazardou s substanc e emission s tha t ar e subjec t t o a Clea n Ai r Ac t (CAA ) permi t o r contro l regulatio n (se e 4 0 CF R Part s 52 , 60 , 61 , an d 62) . However , a s state d in the preambl e t o the Ma y25 , 198 3 NPR

M fo r thi s exemptio n t o apply , an ysuc hCA

Acontrol s mus t b e "specificall ydesigne d t o limi t o r eliminat e emission s o f a designate d hazardou s pollutan t o r a criteri a pollutant. " (Sen . Rep . 96-848 , 96t hCong. , 2 d Sess . 4 9 (1980)) . Th e CA A exemption , therefore , canno t b e rea d broadl yt o cove r an yan d al l type s o f ai r emissions . Moreover , a s today' s propose d rul e make s clear , fo r th e exemptio n t o apply , th e emissio n mus t b e i n complianc e wit hthe applicabl e permi t o r contro l regulation . Severa l commenter s suggeste d tha t the clea r an d unequivoca l natur e o f the statutorylanguag e mad e elaboratio n o n th e CA Aexemptio n unnecessary . Generally , thes e commenter s too k the viewtha t the CA Aexemptio n cover s nearl y al l ai r emissions , becaus e suc hemission s ar e i n on e wayo r anothe r controlle d b yth e CA

A- - eithe r directly , becaus e theycontai n substance s specificall y regulate d b

yth e Act , o r indirectly , throug hemissio n permit s grante d a s par t o f Stat e Implementatio n Plan s (SIPs ) approve d unde r sectio n 11 0 o f the CAA . Some commenter s eve n claime d tha t becaus e control s coul d b e develope d fo r an yP.2 4

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hazardou s substance , an yreleas e t o the ai r i s "subject " t o CA Acontrols . EPA doe s no t agre e tha t thes e interpretations , unde r whic hvirtuall yal l ai r emission s including dangerou s episodi c release s woul d b e exemp t fro mCERCL A reporting requirements , wer e intende d b yCongres s unde r sectio n 101(10) . T o th e contrary , th e legislative histor ynote d bot habove an d i n th e preambl e t o th e Ma y25 , 198 3 NPRM , indicate s tha t CA Acontrol s mus t be designe d specificall yt o limi t o r eliminat e emission s o f a particula r pollutan t fo r a releas e o f tha t pollutan t t o b e exempt . Th e purpos e o f notificatio n requirement s unde r sectio n 10 3 o f CERCL Ai s t o ensur e tha t the governmen t i s informe d o f an

ypotentiall ydangerou s release s o f hazardou s substance s t o the environmen t fo r whic htimel yrespons e mayb e critical . Establishing an interpretatio n o f CA Acontrol s a s requeste d b ythe commenter s woul d eliminat e virtuall yan

yCERCL Areporting o f ai r emission s and , thus , the potentia l for earl yFedera l responses ; suc han approac hwoul d eviscerat e no t onl ythe Congressiona l inten t bu t als o the majo r purpos e o f the sectio n 10 3 notificatio n requirement . I n addition , some commenter s urge d EP At o interpre t the federall y permitte d releas e exemptio n broadl yt o includ e an yai r emissio n fro

ma permitte d source . Man yo f thes e commenter s use d th e word "reviewed " almos t interchangeabl ywit hthe wor d "permitted. " A"reviewed " releas e i s no t necessaril ya "permitted " releas e o r a controlle d release . Apermitte d releas e i s an allowabl e releas e o f a specifi c substanc e o r emission . A reviewe d releas e generall yi s on e o f man yrelease s fro

ma permitte d sourc e tha t i s being checke d for complianc e wit ha variet yo f laws an d regulations . Th e inclusio n o f a reviewprovisio n i n a SI P doe s no t subjec t al l potentia l release s fro

ma permitte d sourc e t o CA Arequirement s o r control s "designe d-25

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specificall yt o limi t o r eliminate " the m(Sen . Rep . 848 , 96t hCong. , 2 d Sess . 4 9 (1980)) . EPA , therefore , canno t conside r release s exemp t solel ybecaus e the yhav e bee n included in a reviewprovisio n in a SIP . Severa l commenter s advocate d exemption s for categorie s o f hazardou s substance s (suc

ha s volatil e organi c compound s (VOC ) o r tota l suspende d particulate s (TSP) ) regulate d unde r the CA A(includin

g thos e regulate d unde r approve d Stat e programs) . Th e commenter s claime d tha t a permi t o r regulator y limi t o n suc hcategorica l emission s i n effec t constitute s a limi t o n eac h constituen t i n the group . EP Aagree s wit hthi s positio n t o the exten t tha t the constituen t hazardou s substance s hav e bee n identified , reviewed , an d mad e par t o f th e publi c record during th e permi t issuanc e o r regulatio n developmen t proces s fo r th e categor yo f the hazardou s substance . Th e exemptio n doe s no t exten d t o release s o f consisten t hazardou s substance s i n permitte d o r regulate d categorie s tha t ar e no t expressl yidentifie d o n the record wit h respec t t o the applicabl e permi t o r contro l program . Onc e the constituen t hazardou s substance s have bee n appropriatel yidentifie d an d reviewed , the limitatio n o n the categor yo f emission s o f hazardou s substance s wil l provid e th e "permi t o r contro l regulation " neede d fo r applicatio n o f th e sectio n 101(10)(H ) exemption . Injection s o f Material s Relate d t o Developmen t o f Crud e Oi l o r Natura l Ga s Supplies . Severa l commenter s fel t tha t EPA' s interpretatio n o f th e CERCL A sectio n 101(10)(I ) exemptio n fro mnotificatio n requirement s fo r the injectio n o f fluid s o r othe r material s relate d t o the developmen t o f crud e oi l o r natura l ga s supplie s i s unnecessaril ynarrow . Becaus e i t i s probabl e tha t al l conceivabl e injectio n mode s ar e no t considere d i n Stat e laws , EPA , i n the preambl e t o th e Ma

y25 , 198 3 NPRM , interprete d the sectio n 101(10)(I )-26

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provisio n t o exemp t onl ythos e activitie s o r material s whic har e specificall y authorize d b

yStat e law , rathe r than thos e tha t ar e no t prohibite d b yStat e law . Thi s interpretatio n ensure s tha t the appropriat e authoritie s hav e consciousl yconsidere d an d intentionall yauthorize d the injectio n activitie s an d material s tha t ar e t o be exemp t fro mnotificatio n requirements . EP Ainterpret s the sectio n 101(10)(I ) exemptio n t o appl yonl yt o thos e items use d i n activitie s whos e sol e purpos e i s th e productio n o f crud e oil , natura l gas , o r water ; the recover yo f crud e oi l o r natura l gas ; o r the reinjectio n o f fluid s brough t t o the surfac e fro msuchproduction . Some commenter s objecte d t o thi s interpretatio n an d instead supporte d a broade r interpretation . However , EP Adoe s no t suppor t an ypositio n tha t woul d allow al l oi l an

d ga s fiel d operation s t o b e unregulate d unde r CERCLA . Th e Nationa l Respons e Cente r shoul d b e notifie d i n an ysituatio n wher e th e us e o f injectio n fluid s o r material s for purpose s othe r than the developmen t o f crud e oi l o r natura l ga s supplie s result s i n a releas e o f a hazardou s substanc e i n an amoun t tha t equal s o r exceed s th e applicabl e RQ . Introductio n o f Pollutant s int o Publicl yOwne d Treatmen t Works . On e o f th e commenter s o n the Ma y25 , 198 3 NPR

M suggeste d tha t the Agenc ybroade n it s approac ht o th e POT W exemptio n t o requir e onl ytha t th e discharg e b e i n complianc e wit hgenera l pretreatmen t requirement s an d no t requir e site

specifi c requiremen t compliance . Th e Agenc ydisagree s an d believe s tha t according t o CERCL

Asectio n 101(10)(J) , a releas e o f a hazardou s substanc e t o a publicl yowne d treatmen t work s (POTWs ) wil l b e federall ypermitte d i f th e hazardou s substanc e i s a pollutan t specifie d i n applicabl e pretreatmen t standard s an

d the releas e o f th e pollutan t i s i n complianc e wit hthe standard s o f sectio n 307(b ) o r (c ) o f th e CW Aan d enforceabl e requirement s o f a Stat e o rP.2 7

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loca l pretreatmen t program . Thi s exemptio n applie s onl yt o industria l
users 3 dischargin g t o POTWs ; POTW s ar e subjec t t o CERCL Areportin g and liabilit yprovision s i f thei r discharg e o f a hazardou s substanc e .violate s thei r NPDE S permi t b ya n R Q o r more . POTW s ar e no t require d t o repor t hazardou s substance s i n quantitie s tha t equa l o r excee d a n R Q tha t ar e travelin g throug hthei r collectio n systems ; however , th e industria l use r i s responsibl e fo r reportin g suc hrelease s int o th e collectio n system . Section s 307(b)(1 ) an d (c ) o f th e CWAdirec t EP At o establis hpretreatmen t standard s "t o preven t th e discharg e o f anypollutan t throug htreatmen t work s

.. . whic har e publicl yowned , whic hpollutan t inerfere s with , passe s through , o r i s otherwis e incompatibl e wit hsuc hworks. " Thes e section s addres s th e problem s create d bydischarge s o f pollutant s fro mnondomesti c source s t o municipa l sewag e treatmen t work s o r pas s throug hth e work s t o navigabl e water s untreate d o r inadequatel ytreated . Pretreatmen t standard s ar e intende d t o preven t thos e problem s fro moccurrin g byrequirin g nondomesti c user s o f POTW s t o pretreat thei r waste s befor e dischargin g the mt o th e POTW . I n 1977 , Congres s amende d sectio n 402(b)(8 ) o f th e CW At o requir e POTW s t o hel p regulat e thei r industria l user s b yestablishin g loca l program s t o ensur e tha t industria l user s compl ywit hpretreatmen t standards . I n establishin g th e nationa l pretreatmen t progra mt o achiev e thes e pretreatmen t goals , th e Agenc yadopte d a broad-base d regulator yapproac htha t implement s th e statutor yprohibition s agains t pas s throug han d interferenc e a t tw o basi c levels . Th e firs t i s throug hth e promulgatio n o f nationa l

3 "lndustria l users, " a s th e ter mi s use d i n thi s discussion , mean s no t onl ythos e facilitie s dischargin g directl yt o a POT W bu t als o mobil e source s dischargin g hazardou s substance s t o a POTW .•28

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categorica l standard s tha t appl yt o certai n industria l use s withi n selecte d categorie s o f industrie s tha t commonl ydischarg e toxi c pollutants . Categorica l standard s establis hnumerical , technology-base d discharg e limit s derive d fro ma n assessmen t o f th e type s an d amount s o f pollutan t discharge s tha t typicall yinterfer e wit ho r pas s throug hPOTW s wit hsecondar ytreatmen t facilities . Th e potentia l fo r man ypas s throug ho r interferenc e problem s depend s not onl yo n th e natur e o f th e discharg e bu t als o o n loca l condition s (e.g. , th e typ e o f treatmen t proces s use d b yth e POTW , loca l wate r quality , POTW' s chose n metho d fo r handlin g sludge) , an d thu s need s t o b e addresse d o n a case-by-cas e basis . Example s o f suc hproblem s includ e discharge s t o a POT W tha t ma y consis t o f pollutant s no t covere d bya categorica l standar d o r fro m nondomesti c source s tha t ar e no t i n on e o f th e industria l categorie s regulate d byth e categorica l standards . Becaus e categorica l standard s ar e establishe d industry-wide , the ycanno t conside r site-specifi c condition s an d therefor e ma y no t b e adequat e t o preven t al l pas s throug han d interferenc e eve n fo r th e regulate d pollutants . EPA' s Genera l Pretreatmen t Regulation s (4 0 CF R Par t 403 ) addres s thes e area s o f concern . First , 4 0 CF R 403.5(b ) establishe s specifi c prohibition s tha t appl yt o al l nondomesti c user s an d ar e designe d t o guar d agains t commo n type s o f pollutan t discharge s tha t ma yresul t i n interferenc e an d pas s throug h(e.g. , n o discharg e o f flammable , explosive , o r corrosiv e pollutants) . Second , 4 0 CF R 403.5(a ) establishe s a genera l prohibitio n agains t pas s throug han d interferenc e whic hserve s a s a back-u p standar d t o addres s localize d problem s tha t occur . I n addition , POTW s mus t develo p an d enforc e specifi c loca l limit s a s par t o f thei r loca l pretreatmen t program s t o preven t pas s throug han d interference . POTW s no t require d t oP.2 9

-29

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develop pretreatmen t program s als o mus t develop loca l limit s i f theyhav e recurring pas s throug han d interference s (se e 4 0 CFR 403.5(c)) . Th e pretreatmen t standard s a POT W use r mus t mee t t o claimthe federall y permitte d releas e exemptio n includ e bot happlicabl e nationa l categorica l standard s an

d standard s establishe d b yloca l la

wa s describe d below . Complianc e onl ywit hth e genera l an d specifi c prohibition s (4 0 CFR 403.5(a ) an d (b) ) o f the genera l pretreatmen t regulation s i s insufficien t t o qualif ya releas e a s federall ypermitted . Onl yloca l limit s applicabl e t o the pollutant , develope d i n accordanc e wit h4 0 CFR 403.5(c) , an d designe d t o implemen t th e genera l prohibitio n agains t interferenc e an d pas s through(§403.5(a)) , can qualif ythe releas e o f suc hpollutan t a s a federall ypermitte d release . Th e developmen t o f loca l limit s unde r §403.5(c ) involve s thre e basi c steps . First , a POT W mus t determine d which , i f any , o f the pollutant s discharge d b yit s industria l user s hav e a reasonabl e potentia l t o pas s throug ho r interfer e wit hth e POTW . Fo r eac ho f th e pollutant s the POT W conclude s ma

yb e o f concern , th e POT W mus t the n determin e the maximu mamoun t o f the pollutan t i t can accep t (maximu m headwork s loading ) an d stil l preven t th e occurrenc e o f pas s throug ho r interference . Finally , afte r maximu mallowabl e headwork s loading s ar e determine d fo r eac ho f the pollutant s o f concern , th e POT W mus t implemen t a syste mo f loca l limit s applicabl e t o industria l user s t o assur e tha t thes e loading s wil l no t b e exceeded . EP Abelieve s tha t onl yloca l limit s whic hhav e bee n develope d base d upo n procedure s tha t evaluat e the site-specifi c characteristic s an d treatmen t capabilitie s o f a POT W shoul d qualif yth e releas e o f the pollutan t fo r th e exemption . Suc han extensiv e analysi s i s neede d t o assur e tha t pas s throughP.3 0

-30

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an d interferenc e problem s do no t arise . Adischarg e o f a pollutan t b yan industria l use r i n complianc e wit ha loca l limi t no t designe d using thes e procedure s ma

yno t addres s the statutor yprohibition s agains t pas s throughan d interferenc e no r provid e the requisit e degre e o f environmenta l protectio n t o qualif yfor the federall ypermitte d releas e exemption . Thus , a releas e tha t violate s an applicabl e categorica l pretreatmen t standard o r a loca l limi t develope d i n accordanc e wit h4 0 CFR 403.5(c) , an d exceed s the permitte d leve l b ya n RQ o r more , mus t b e reported . Moreover , the absenc e o f a categorica l pretreatmen t standard o r a loca l limi t fo r a specifi c pollutan t preclude s coverag e for release s o f tha t pollutan t unde r the federall ypermitte d releas e exemption . I f an industria l use r release s an RQ o r mor e o f a hazardou s substanc e int o a POT W whic hha s no t se t a loca l limi t fo r suc ha substance , o r for whic hther e i s n o limi t base d o n a categorica l standard , the n th e releas e i s no t federall ypermitte d an d i s subjec t t o CERCL A reporting an

d liabilityprovisions . I n additio n t o complianc e wit hloca l limit s an d categorica l standards , the pollutan t mus t b e i n complianc e wit henforceabl e requirement s (e.g. , monitoring an

d reporting ) o f a

n approve d loca l pretreatmen t program . Fo r example , althoug

hmonitoring ma

yconfir

mtha t th e pollutan t i s i n complianc e wit han applicabl e categorica l pretreatmen t standard , failur e t o mee t th e pretreatmen t reporting requirement s confirming suc hcomplianc e woul d preven t coverag e unde r th e federall ypermitte d releas e exemption . Furthermore , th e releas e o f a pollutan t t o a POT W woul d onl yqualif yfo r th e federall ypermitte d releas e exemptio n i f (1 ) the POT W ha s a loca l pretreatmen t progra mapprove d b

ythe "approva l authority " (as define d i n §403.3(c) ) o r (2 ) a State , i n lieu o f th e municipality , i s implementing a pretreatmen t progra mfor tha t POT

W pursuan t t o 4 0 CFR 403.10(e) .-31

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Sectio n 101(10)(J ) provide s tha t the pretreatmen t progra mmus t b e "submitte d b

ya Stat e o r municipalit yfo r Federa l approval. " Th e Agency interpret s thi s provisio n t o mean tha t the progra mno t onl ymus t b e submitte d fo r approva l bu t mus t b e approved . Astric t readin g o f the statutor

ylanguag e P.3 1

woul d b e contrar

yt o the expresse d congressiona l inten t tha t discharge s o f hazardou s substance s int o sewe r system s qualif ya s federall ypermitte d release s onl yi f the yar e authorize d unde r a pretreatmen t progra m(se e Senat e Repor t No . 96-84 8 (1980) , p.48) . Th e fac t tha t a POT W ha s submitte d a progra m fo r approva l doe s no t necessaril ymean the progra mi s adequat e t o contro l the introductio n o f pollutant s fro mnondomesti c user s o f the POTW . Suc ha progra m ma yno t b e approve d b ythe approva l authorit ydu e t o majo r deficiencies . Fo r th e discharg e t o b e a federall ypermitte d release , therefore , i t mus t b e specificall yregulate d in a n approve d program , a progra mtha t th e approva l authorit yha s determine d i s consisten t wit hthe federall ymandate d minimu m standard . A n approve d progra

mma yb e (1 ) designe d an d implemente d locall yb ya POT W an d approve d b

yeithe r EP

Ao r an EPA-approve d Stat e pretreatmen t progra mo r (2 ) designe d an

d implemente d b

yan EPA-approve d Stat e treatmen t program . Approva l o f a Stat e t o implemen t a Stat e pretreatmen t progra mpursuan t t o sectio n 402(b ) o f the CW Awoul d no t automaticall yqualif ya s federall y permitte d a releas e t o a POT W in tha t State . Th e loca l pretreatmen t progra m mus t b e approve d eithe r b yEP Ao r b yan EPA-approve d Stat e program . Generally , approva l b ya Stat e pretreatmen t progra mmerel ychange s th e approva l authorit yfor the POT W program s fro

mEP At o the EPA-approve d Stat e pretreatmen t program . Th e approve d Stat e ha s primar yresponsibilit yfo r requiring loca l POTW s t o develop an d implemen t a pretreatmen t progra mt o•32

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directl yregulat e users . Th e fac t tha t a Stat e pretreatmen t progra mha s bee n approve d doe s no t i n an d o f itsel f chang e the qualit yo r approveabilit yo f loca l POT

W programs . POTW s in approve d State s woul d stil l nee d t o develop loca l pretreatmen t program s an d receive pretreatmen t progra mapprova l i f the

y hav e no t alread

ydon e so . Thus , t o satisf ythe federall ypermitte d releas e exemptio n individua l approva l o f eac hPOT W pretreatmen t progra mi s necessar

y (excep t fo r a State-administere d §403.10(e ) progra ma s describe d below) . Sectio n 403.10(e ) allow s the Stat e i n lieu o f the POT W t o assum

e responsibilit yfo r developing an d implementing POT

W pretreatmen t progra m requirements . Becaus e the §403.10(e ) progra mmus t mee t the same standard a s woul d b e require d fo r pretreatmen t program s develope d b ya municipalit y (§403.8(f)) , EPAbelieve s tha t th e §403.10(e ) program s ar e the Stat e pretreatmen t program s Congres s intende d t o includ e unde r sectio n 101(10)(J) . I n th e even t tha t a State' s §403.10(e ) progra mdoe s no t exten

d t o al l it s POTWs , onl ythos e release s t o POTW s fo r whic hthe Stat e ha s implemente d the pretreatmen t progra mpursuan t t o §403.10(e ) woul d qualif ya s federall y permitted . I f a POT W i s no t directl yregulate d b yit s Stat e NPDE S program , th e POT W must , nevertheless , implemen t an approve d loca l pretreatmen t progra m i n orde r fo r th e discharge s o f industria l user s t o qualif yfo r the federall y permitte d releas e exemption . I n summary , fo r a releas e t o a POT W t o b e subjec t t o the federall y permitte d releas e exemption , the releas e mus t be : (1 ) i n complianc e wit h applicabl e categorica l pretreatmen t standard s an d loca l limit s develope d i n accordanc e wit h§403.5(c ) an d (2 ) int o a POT

W wit ha

n approve d loca l pretreatmen t progra mo r a §403.10(e ) State-administere d loca l program . On e o f the commenter s o n the Ma y25 , 198 3 NPR

M state d tha t discharge s int o a POT W ar e transfer s betwee n facilities , no t "int o the environment, " an dP.3 3

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therefor e al l discharge s int o POTW s shoul d b e exemp t fro mCERCL Areporting . Th e commenter' s approac ht o defining "int o the environment " i s no t consisten t wit hth e approac hin today' s proposal . T o determin e whethe r it s releas e i s federall ypermitted , therefore , a n industria l use r shoul d measur e it s discharg e a t the poin t the substanc e leave s th e industria l user' s facility . I n the cas e o f indirec t dischargers , the releas e shoul d b e measure d whe n i t leave s th e discharger' s building . Mobil e source s shoul d measur e the discharg e a t th e poin t i t i s release d int o the POTW , whic hwil l b e a t the headwork s i n mos t cases . Industria l user s ar e no t require d unde r CERCL At o conduc t monitoring activitie s differen t fro mthos e require d b

ythe applicabl e pretreatmen t program . Release s o f Source , Byproduct , o r Specia l Nuclea r Materials : Radionuclide s (whichinclud e source , byproduct , an d specia l nuclea r material ) ar e genericall ylisted unde r sectio n 11 2 o f th e CA Aan d therefor e ar e hazardou s substance s unde r CERCLA . However , CERCL Asectio n 101(22)(C ) exclude s fro

mthe definitio n o f a releas e th e discharg e of : source , byproduct , o r specia l nuclea r materia l fro ma nuclea r incident , a s thos e term s ar e define d i n the Atomi c Energ yAc t o f 1954 , i f suc hreleas e i s subjec t t o requirement s wit hrespec t t o financia l protectio n establishe d b

yth e Nuclea r RegulatoryCommissio n unde r sectio n 17 0 o f suc hAct , or , fo r th e purpose s o f sectio n 10 4 o f thi s titl e [concernin g respons e authorities ] o r an yothe r respons e action , an yreleas e o f source , byproduct , o r specia l nuclea r materia l fro man yprocessing sit e designate d unde r sectio n 102(a)(1 ) o r 302(a ) o f th e Uraniu mMil l Tailing s Radiatio n Contro l Ac t o f 1978... . I n addition , CERCL

Asectio n 101(10 ) (K ) include s withi n the . definitio n o f federall ypermitte d release , release s o f source , byproduct , o r specia l nuclea r materia l tha t compl ywit hthe condition s o f a legall yenforceabl e license , permit , regulation , o r orde r issue d pursuan t t o the Atomi c Energ yAct .-34

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Release s equa l t o o r exceeding th e radionuclid e RQs , an d no t exclude d b

y section s 101(10)(K ) o r 101(22) , mus t b e reporte d t o the Nationa l Respons e Center . Licenses , permits , regulations , an d order s ma

yb e issued b

ythe Nuclea r RegulatoryCommissio n o r b yState s grante d the authorityt o regulat e radiation

relate d activitie s unde r an agreemen t wit hth e Nuclea r Regulator yCommission . EPA , th e Departmen t o f Energy , an d the Departmen t o f Defens e als o hav e certai n regulator

yauthorit yunde r the Atomi c Energ yAct . EP

Acan issu e generall y applicabl e environmenta l standard s for protecting the publi c fro mradiatio n an d recommen

d t o the Presiden t guidanc e fo r al l Federa l agencie s t o us e fo r healt hprotectio n fro mradiation . Whe n regulation s ar e promulgate d unde r thes e authoritie s (e.g. , 4 0 CFR Part s 190 , 191 , an d 192) , release s i n complianc e wit hthes e regulation s ar e federall ypermitted . Similarly , the Departmen t o f Energ ygovern s it s radiatio n protectio n activitie s unde r the Atomi c Energ

yAc t b ya serie s o f interna l orders . Whe n suchorder s ar e issued unde r th e Departmen t o f Energy' s Atomi c Energ yAc t authorit yan

d release s ar e i n complianc e wit hthe applicabl e order(s) , thes e release s als o ar e federall y permitted . Th e Departmen t o f Defense.issue s regulation s governing weapon s an d reactor s withi n thei r jurisdiction ; release s i n complianc e wit hthes e regulation s ar e federall ypermitted . Th e regulation s o f th e Nuclea r RegulatoryCommissio n contai n severa l importan t exemption s fro mthei r provisions , base d generall yo n the smal l quantitie s o f materia l involve d o r the lo wlevel s o f radioactivit yth e material s emit . EP Abelieve s tha t release s o f exempte d material s ar e no t subjec t t o "legall yenforceable " requirements , a s require d b yCERCL Asectio n 101(10)(K) , an

d tha t release s o f thes e material s ar e therefor e no t federall y permitte d releases .P.3 5

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Al l commenter s o n the radionuclide s exemptio n fel t tha t a broade r exemptio n i s warranted . Some commenter s suggeste d tha t report s o f release s currentl yrequire d b ythe Nuclea r Regulator yCommissio n ar e sufficien t an d comprehensiv e becaus e the Commissio n woul d determin e the nee d fo r an d the adequacyo f response ; an yadditiona l report s t o EP Awoul d b e an unnecessary burden . EPAexpect s tha t mos t release s involving radionuclide s wil l eithe r b e exclude d fro

mthe definitio n o f release , wil l b e a federall ypermitte d release , o r wil l b e les s than the RQ . However , EP Abelieve s tha t the reporting requirement s imposed o n the remaining release s o f radionuclides , including release s o f radionuclide s tha t ar e source , byproduct , o r specia l nuclea r materia l tha t ar e exempte d fro mNuclea r Regulator yCommissio n regulations , ar e essentia l t o mitigat e th e ris k t o publi c healt ho r welfar e o r the environmen t pose d b ysuchreleases .

III . RELEASE S INTO TH E ENVIRONMEN T A . I n Genera l Thi s sectio n addresse s severa l recurring question s no t specificall y relate d t o th e definitio n o f "federall ypermitte d release " bu t instead relate d t o broade r "release " definitio n issues . On e suc hquestio n involve s release s t o engineere d structure s designe d specificall yt o preven t material s fro m reaching th e lan

d surface . Th e issue s involve bot hinterpretatio n o f th e phras e "releas e int o th e environment " an d th e appropriatenes s o f reporting requirement s fo r release s t o suc hsecondar ycontainmen t devices . Th e Agenc y solicit s comment s o n the following issues . I n th e preambl e t o the Apri l 4 , 198 5 fina l rul e adjusting RQ s fo r 34 0 CERCL Ahazardou s substances , EP Astated :P.3 6

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Hazardou s substance s ma yb e release d "int o th e environment " eve n i f theyremai n o n plan t o r installatio n grounds . Example s o f suc hrelease s ar e spill s fro mtank s o r valve s ont o concret e pad s o r int o lined ditche s ope n t o th e outsid e air , release s fro mpipe s int o ope n lagoon s o r ponds , o r an yothe r discharge s tha t ar e no t wholl ycontaine d withi n building s o r structures . Sucha release , i f i t occur s i n a reportabl e quantit y(e.g. , evaporatio n o f an RQ int o th e ai r fro ma dik e o r concret e pad) , mus t b e reporte d unde r CERCLA . O n th e othe r hand , hazardou s substance s ma yb e spille d a t a plan t o r installatio n bu t no t ente r th e environment , e.g. , whe n the substanc e spill s ont o the concret e floo r o f an enclose d manufacturing plant . Suc ha spil l woul d nee d t o b e reporte d onl yi f the substance s wer e i n some wayt o leave th e building o r structur e i n a reportabl e quantity . (Note , however , tha t the federa l governmen t ma ystil l respon

d an d recove r cost s wher e ther e i s a threatene d releas e int o th e environment. ) 5 0 FR 13462 . I n applying th e phras e "int o the environment " t o release s t o secondar y containmen t devices , EP Abelieve s tha t a releas e insid e a building o r structur e i s no t a releas e "int o the environment " unles s th e spille d substanc e leave s th e building . O n on e hand , a releas e t o a secondar ycontainmen t devic e outsid e o f a building o r structur e i s pe r s e "int o the environment. " Example s o f release s t o suc hdevice s tha t illustrat e bot hthe potentia l for a seriou s probleman d an existing seriou s situatio n hav e bee n brough t t o th e Agency' s attention . Thes e includ e a releas e o f hydrochlori c aci d t o a dik e tha t woul d hav e overflowe d i n a heav yrain , an

d radioactiv e contaminatio n o f wate r supplie s apparentl yresulting fro man improperl yfunctioning secondar ycontainmen t devic e a t a nuclea r facility . O n th e othe r hand , i t ha s bee n suggeste d tha t wher e engineere d structure s ar e ope n t o th e air , release s int o suc hstructure s shoul d b e exemp t fro m reporting unles s an RQ o r mor e o f the substanc e reache s an ygroun d o r surfac e water s o r lan

d surfac e o r evaporate s int o the ambien t air . Release s t o suc h structure s ma

yinclud e suc hoccurrence s a s release s ont o concret e pads ,P.3 7

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secondar

ycontainmen t device s wit hseale d floor s aroun d storag e tanks , o r dri p pan s use d t o catc hmino r hos e o r line drainage . Th e Agencyi s intereste d in receiving comment s an d dat a discussing th e circumstance s unde r whic hnotificatio n o f release s int o secondar ycontainmen t device s woul d no t provid e usefu l informatio n for Federa l respons e purposes . EP Ai s particularl yintereste d i n informatio n on the significanc e o f th e issue , specifi c example s o f procedure s followe d wher e ther e i s a releas e t o a secondar

ycontainmen t devic e an d technique s use d t o preven t release s fro msuc h devices , dat a discussing the integrityo f secondar ycontainmen t devices , an d suggestion s o n th e appropriat e mean s o f eliminating an ysuchunnecessar

y reporting . I f th e Agenc ydecide s t o allowcertai n release s int o secondar y containmen t device s no t t o b e reported , a demonstratio n ma yb e require d t o showtha t the devic e i s sufficientl yprotectiv e an d reliable . B . PC B Wast e Disposa l Asecon d genera l "release " issu e concern s whethe r approve d polychlorinate d bipheny l (PCB ) disposa l b yincineration , landfilling , o r alternat e method s nee d t o b e reporte d a s a releas e unde r sectio n 103 , o r i f suc hdisposa l i s exemp t fro

mreporting a s a federall ypermitte d release . Becaus e PC B disposa l approval s unde r th e Toxi c Substance s Contro l Ac t (TSCA ) ar e no t include d i n th e CERCL

Asectio n 101(10 ) definitio n o f federall ypermitte d release , EP Adoe s no t believ e tha t i t ha s the authorit yt o appl ytha t exemptio n t o suc h approvals . A t the same time , however , EP Adoe s no t believ e tha t notificatio n unde r sectio n 10 3 o f CERCL Aprovide s an

ysignifican t additiona l benefi t s o lon g a s th e disposa l facilit yi s i n substantia l complianc e wit hal l applicabl e regulation s an

d approva l conditions . Th e PC B regulation s unde r TSCA , 4 0 CFRP.3 8

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Par t 761 , requir e owner s o r operator s o f PC B disposa l facilities , incinerators , chemica l wast e landfills , an d hig hefficiencyboiler s t o obtai n writte n EPA-approval , base d o n complianc e wit hdetaile d technica l requirement s designe d t o ensur e prope r disposal , befor e accepting PCB wastes . Th e TSC A approva l proces s i s designe d t o ensur e tha t the operatio n o f PCB disposa l facilitie s doe s no t presen t an unreasonabl e ris k o f injur yt o healt ho r th e environmen t fro

mPCBs . I n addition , 4 0 CFR Par t 761 , Subpar t J , require s PC B disposa l facilit yowner s o r operator s t o carefull ymonito r the facility' s inventor

yan d operation , maintai n detaile d record s for period s o f 5 t o 2 0 years , an

d repor t unde r certai n circumstances . Th e TSC Aregulation s provid e th e Federa l governmen t wit hthe informatio n necessar yt o determin e whethe r a n emergencyrespons e t o a PC B disposa l i s required . Today' s proposa l t o no t requir e CERCL

Areporting for EPA-approve d PC B disposal s i s consisten t wit hthe overal l objectiv e o f the CERCL Anotificatio n requirements . Therefore , EPA wil l no t requir e reporting o f the approved , prope r disposa l o f PCB waste s int o a disposa l facility . Apart yresponsibl e fo r a releas e o f PCB waste s tha t nee d no t b e reporte d unde r CERCLA , however , remain s liabl e fo r th e cost s o f cleaning u p the releas e an d fo r an

ynatura l resourc e damage s cause d b ythe release . I n addition , wher e th e dispose r know s tha t the facilityi s no t i n complianc e wit h applicabl e regulation s an d approve d condition s unde r TSCA , disposa l o f an RQ o r mor e o f PC B wast e mus t b e reporte d t o th e Nationa l Respons e Center . Likewise , spill s an d accident s occurring during disposa l an d outsid e o f th e approve d operation , tha t resul t in release s o f RQ s o f PC B wast e fro mth e facility , als o mus t b e reporte d t o th e Nationa l Respons e Center . Finally , PCB release s o f an RQ o r mor e fro ma TSCA-approve d facilit y(as oppose d t oP.3 9

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- disposa l int o sucha facility) , mus t b e reporte d unde r CERCLA . Th e Agency request s comment s on thi s proposal .

IV . DISCHARGE S T O POTW s Th e Agenc yrecognize s tha t the regulatio n implementing CW Asectio n 31 1 fo r hazardou s substanc e discharge s mus t b e revise d t o b e consisten t wit hth e Agency' s regulator

yapproac htake n unde r CERCL Asectio n 101(10)(J) . Unde r CERCL Asectio n 101(10)(J) , a n indirec t discharg e t o a POT W mus t b e subjec t t o an d i n complianc e wit hcategorica l pretreatmen t standard s an d loca l limit s applicabl e i n a

n approve d loca l pretreatmen t progra m(se e discussio n unde r Sectio n II I o f today' s preamble) . Al l indirec t dischargers , i.e. , bot hmobil e an d stationar

ysources , ar e subjec t t o the sam e requirement s fo r thei r discharge s t o b e considere d federall ypermitte d releases . Unde r 4 0 CFR 117.13 , mobil e source s discharging industria l wast e ar e no t subjec t t o CW

Asectio n 31 1 coverag e i f th e mobil e sourc e ha s contracte d with , o r otherwis e receive d writte n permissio n fro mthe POT

W t o discharg e a designate d quantit yo f industria l wast e treate d t o compl ywit heffluen t limitation s (unde r CW Asection s 301 , 302 , o r 306 ) o r pretreatmen t standard s (unde r CW

Asectio n 307) . Indirec t discharger s ar e no t addresse d unde r §117.13 . Paragraph(a ) o f §117.1 3 wa s reserve d t o provid e the condition s unde r whic hindirec t discharge s ar e subjec t t o CW Asectio n 311 . Th e Agenc yi s considering amending 4 0 CFR 117.1 3 t o (1 ) ad d a paragraph (a ) describing tha t indirec t discharge s ar e no t subjec t t o sectio n 31 1 coverag e i f th e indirec t discharg e i s i n complianc e wit happlicabl e categorica l pretreatmen t standard s an d loca l limit s develope d i n accordanc e wit h4 0 CF R 403.5(c ) an d int o a POT

W wit han approve d loca l pretreatmen t- s

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progra mo r a 4 0 CF

R 403.10(e ) Stat e administere d loca l program , an d (2 ) t o revis e paragraph(b ) t o appl ythe same condition s t o mobil e source s a s woul d b e applie d t o indirec t discharge s unde r paragraph(a) . Th e Agenc yrequest s comment s o n thi s considere d amendment . P.4 0 

# ^' 1

V . SUMMAR

Y O F SUPPORTIN

G ANALYSE S Rulemaking protoco l unde r Executiv e Orde r 1229 1 require s tha t propose d regulation s b e classifie d a s majo r o r nonmajo r fo r purpose s o f reviewb ythe Offic e o f Managemen t an d Budget . According t o E.O . 12291 , majo r rule s ar e regulation s tha t ar e likel yt o resul t in :

(1 ) A n annua l effec t o n the econom yo f $10 0 millio n o r more ; o r (2 ) Amajo r increas e i n cost s o r price s for consumers , individua l industries , federal , state , o r loca l governmen t agencies , o r geographi c regions ; o r (3 ) Significan t advers e effect s o n competition , employment , investment , productivity , innovation , o r o n the abilit y o f Unite d States-base d enterprise s t o compet e wit h foreign-base d enterprise s i n domesti c o r expor t markets . Today' s regulatio n i s nonmajor , becaus e adoptio n o f th e rul e wil l resul t i n zer o costs , an

d wil l no t caus e an yo f th e significan t advers e effect s mentione d i n (3 ) above . Th e Backgroun d Documen t for th e Propose d Regulatio n o n Federall yPermitte d Releases , availabl e for inspectio n a t Roo mLG-100 , U.S . Environmenta l Protectio n Agency , 40 1 M Street , SW , Washington , D C 20460 , show s tha t th e propose d rul e i s simpl ya clarificatio n o f existing statutor y requirements . Th e RegulatoryFlexibilit yAc t o f 198 0 require s tha t a Regulatory Flexibilit yAnalysi s b e performe d fo r al l rule s tha t ar e likel yt o hav e a "significan t impac t o n a substantia l numbe r o f smal l entities. " EPAcertifie s-41

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tha t thi s propose d regulatio n wil l no t hav e a significan t impac t on a substantia l numbe r o f smal l entitie s an d tha t a Regulator

yFlexibilit y Analysi s i s no t required . EP Arequire s a

n Informatio n Impac t Analysi s t o be carrie d ou t fo r al l rule s tha t impos e a paperwor k burde n o n the public . Thi s propose d rul e merel y P.4 1

implement s a statutor yreporting exemptio n and , therefore , ther e i s n o associate d paperwor k burde n o n the public . Ther e ar e n o reporting o r recordkeeping provision s include d i n thi s propose d rul e tha t requir e approva l fro mth e Offic e o f Managemen t an d Budge t unde r Sectio n 3504(h ) o f the Paperwor k Reductio n Ac t o f 1980 , 4 4 U.S.C . Sectio n 350 1 e t seq .

Lis t o f Subject s in 4 0 CF R Par t 11 7 Hazardou s Substances , Penalties , Reporting an d recordkeeping requirements , Wate r pollutio n control .

Lis t o f Subject s i n 4 0 CFR Par t 30 0 Ai r pollutio n control , Chemicals , Hazardou s materials , Hazardou s substances , Intergovernmenta l relations , Natura l resources , Occupationa l safet yan

d health , Oi l pollution , Reporting an d recordkeeping requirements , Superfund , Wast e treatmen t an d disposal , Wate r pollutio n control , Wate r supply .

Lis t o f Subject s i n 4 0 CFR Par t 30 2 Ai r pollutio n control , Chemicals , Hazardou s material s transportation , Hazardou s substances , Intergovernmenta l relations , Natura l resources , Nuclea r materials , Pesticide s an d pests , Radioactiv e materials , Reporting an d-42

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recordkeeping requirements , Superfund , Wast e treatmen t an d disposal , Wate r pollutio n control .

Dat e Le e M . Thoma s Administrato r-43

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Fo r th e reason s se t ou t i n th e preamble , i t i s propose d t o amen d Titl e 4 0

o f th e Cod e o f Federa l Regulation s a s follows :

PAR T 11 7 - DESIGNATION , REPORTABL E QUANTITIE S AN D NOTIFICATIO N 3 . Th e authorit ycitatio n fo r Par t 11 7 continue s t o rea d a s follows : Authority : Section s 31 1 an d 501(a) , Federa l Wate r Pollutio n Contro l Ac t (3 3 U.S.C . 125 1 e t se%.), and Executiv e Orde r 11735 . 4 . 4 0 CF R 117.1 2 i s amende d t o rea d a s follows : Sectio n 117.1 2 Applicabilit yt o discharge s fro mfacilitie s wit hNPDE S permits . (a ) Thi s regulatio n doe s no t appl yto: . (1 ) Discharge s i n complianc e wit ha permi t unde r sectio n 40 2 o f thi s Act ; (2 ) Discharge s resultin g fro mcircumstance s identified , reviewe d an d mad e a par t o f th e publi c recor d wit hrespec t t o a permi t issue d
o r modifie d unde r sectio n 40 2 o f thi s Act , and subjec t t o a conditio n i n suc hpermit ; (3 ) Continuou s o r anticipate d intermitten t discharge s fro ma point
source , identifie d i n a permi t o r permi t applicatio n unde r sectio n 40 2 o f thi s Act , whic har e cause d byevent s occurrin g withi n th e scop e o f th e relevan t operatin g o r treatmen t systems ; o r (b ) Adischarg e i s "i n complianc e wit ha permit issue d unde r sectio n 40 2
o f th e Act " i f th e permi t contain s a n effluen t limitatio n specificall y applicabl e t o th e substanc e discharge d o r a n effluen t limitatio n applicabl e t o anothe r wast e paramete r tha t ha s bee n specificall y identifie d i n th e permi t a s intende d t o limi t suc hsubstance , an d th e discharg e i s i n complianc e wit hth e effluen t limitation .-44

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(c ) Adischarg e result s "fro mcircumstance s identified , reviewed , an d mad e a par t o f the publi c record wit hrespec t t o a permi t issued o r modifie d unde r sectio n 40 2 o f the Act , an d subjec t t o a conditio n i n suc hpermit, " where : (1 ) Th e permi t application , the permit , o r anothe r portio n o f the publi c record contai n document s tha t specificall yidentify : (i ) Th e substanc e an d the amoun t o f substance ; an d (ii ) Th e origi n an

d sourc e o f th e substance ; an d (iii ) Th e treatment , whic hi s t o b e provide d for the discharg e eithe r by : (A ) A n on-sit e treatmen t syste mtreating the permittee' s norma l discharge ; o r (B ) Atreatmen t syste mdesigne d t o trea t the permittee' s norma l discharg e an d whic hi s additionall ycapabl e o f treating the identifie d amoun t o f th e identifie d substance ; o r (C ) An ycombinatio n o f the above ; an d (2 ) Th e permi t contain s a requiremen t tha t the substance s an d the amount s o f th e substance , a s identifie d in §117.12(c)(1)(i ) an d §117.12(c)(l)(ii ) b e treate d pursuan t t o §11 7 .12(c)(1)(iii ) i n th e even t o f an on-sit e release ; an d (3 ) Th e treatmen t t o b e provide d i s i n place . (d ) Adischarg e i s "continuou s o r anticipate d intermittent " fro ma poin t source , identifie d in a permi t o r permi t applicatio n unde r sectio n 40 2 o f th e Act , an

d cause d b

yevent s occurring withi n the scop e o f relevan t operating o r treatmen t systems, " whethe r o r no t th e discharg e i s i n complianc e wit hthe permi t if :-45

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(1 ) Th e hazardou s substanc e i s discharge d fro ma poin t sourc e for whic ha vali d permi t exist s o r for whic ha permi t applicatio n ha s bee n submitted ; an

d (2 ) Th e discharg e o f th e hazardou s substanc e result s from : (i ) Th e contaminatio n o f noncontac t cooling wate r o r stor m water , provide d tha t suchcooling wate r o r stor mwate r i s no t contaminate d b

yan on-sit e spil l o f a hazardou s substance ; o r
(ii ) Acontinuou s o r anticipate d intermitten t discharg e o f proces s wast e water , an d wher e the discharg e originate s withi n the manufacturing o r treatmen t systems ; o r
(iii ) A n upse t o r failur e o f a treatmen t syste mo r o f a proces s producing a continuou s o r anticipate d intermitten t discharg e wher e th e upse t o r failur e result s fro ma contro l problem , a syste mfailur e o r malfunction , an equipmen t o r syste m startu p o r shutdown , an equipmen t wash , o r a productio n schedul e change , provide d tha t suc hupse t o r failur e i s no t cause d b

ya n on-sit e spil l o f a hazardou s substance .

PART 30 0 - NATIONA

L OI L AN

D HAZARDOU S SUBSTANCE S POLLUTIO NCONTINGENCY PLA

N 5 . Th e authorit ycitatio n for Par t 30 0 continue s t o rea d a s follows : Authority : Sec . 105 , Pub . L . 96-510 , 9 4 Stat . 2764 , 4 2 U.S.C . 960 5 an d sec . 311(c)(2) , Pub . L . 92-50 0 a s amended , 8 6 Stat . 865 , 3 3 U.S.C . 1321(c)(2) ; E.O . 12316 , 4 6 FR 4223 7 (Augus t 20 , 1981) ; E.O . 11735 , 3 8 FR 2124 3 (Augus t 1973 ) an

d Executiv e Orde r 12580 .P.4 6

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6 . 4 0 CFR 300. 6 i s amende d b yrevisin

g the definitio n o f federall y permitte d releas e t o rea d a s follows : Sectio n 300. 6 Definitions .

Federall ypermitte d releas e means : (1 ) Discharge s i n complianc e wit ha permi t unde r sectio n 40 2 o f th e Clea n Wate r Act ; (2 ) Discharge s resulting fro mcircumstance s identifie d an d reviewe d an

d mad e a par t o f the publi c record wit hrespec t t o a permi t issued o r modifie d unde r sectio n 40 2 o f the Clea n Wate r Ac t an d subjec t t o a conditio n i n suc h permit ; (3 ) Continuou s o r anticipate d intermitten t discharge s fro ma poin t source , identifie d i n a permi t o r permi t applicatio n unde r sectio n 40 2 o f the Clea n Wate r Act , whic har e cause d b yevent s occurring withi n the scop e o f relevan t operating o r treatmen t systems ; (4 ) Discharge s i n complianc e wit ha legall yenforceabl e Federa l o r State , individua l o r genera l permi t unde r sectio n 40 4 o f th e Clean Wate r Act ; (5 ) Release s i n complianc e wit ha legall yenforceabl e Federa l o r Stat e fina l permi t issued pursuan t t o sectio n 3005(a ) through(d ) o f the Soli d Wast e Disposa l Ac t fro

ma hazardou s wast e treatment , storage , o r disposa l facilit y whe n suc hpermi t specificall yidentifie s the hazardou s substance s an d make s suc hsubstance s subjec t t o a standard o f practice , contro l procedure , o r bioassaylimitatio n o r condition , o r othe r contro l o n th e hazardou s substance s i n suc hreleases ; (6 ) An yreleas e i n complianc e wit ha legall yenforceabl e permi t issued unde r sectio n 10 2 o r sectio n 10 3 o f th e Marin e Protection , Research , an d Sanctuarie s Ac t o f 1972 ;P.4 7

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(7 ) An yinjectio n o f fluid s authorize d unde r Federa l undergroun d injectio n contro l program s o r Stat e program s submitte d for Federa l approva l (an d no t disapprove d b

ythe Administrator ) pursuan t t o Par t C o f th e Saf e Drinking Wate r Act ; (8 ) An yemissio n o f a substanc e int o th e ai r whic hi s name d specificall y o r i s include d i n a specificall yname d grou p o f substance s subjec t t o an d i n complianc e wit ha permi t o r contro l regulatio n unde r sectio n 111 , sectio n 112 , Titl e I Par t C , Titl e I Par t D , o r Stat e implementatio n plan s submitte d i n accordanc e wit hsectio n 11 0 o f th e Clean Ai r Ac t (an d no t disapprove d b yth e Administrator ) whe n suchpermi t o r contro l regulatio n i s specificall ydesigne d t o limi t o r eliminat e suc hemissio n o f a designate d hazardou s pollutan t o r a criteri a pollutant , including an yschedul e o r waive r granted , promulgated , o r approve d unde r thes e sections ; (9 ) An yinjectio n o f fluid s o r othe r material s specificall yauthorize d unde r applicabl e Stat e la w(i ) solel yfo r the purpos e o f stimulating o r treating well s fo r the productio n o f crud e oil , natura l gas , o r water , (ii ) solel yfo r the purpos e o f secondary , tertiary , o r othe r enhance d recover yo f crud e oi l o r natura l gas , o r (iii ) whic har e brough t t o the surfac e i n conjunctio n wit hthe productio n o f crud e oi l o r natura l ga s an d whic har e reinjected ; (10 ) Th e introductio n o f an ypollutan t int o a publicl yowne d treatmen t work s whe n suc hpollutan t i s specifie d i n an d i n complianc e wit h(i ) applicabl e pretreatmen t standard s o f sectio n 307(b ) o r (c ) o f th e Clean Wate r Ac t an d (ii ) enforceabl e requirement s i n a pretreatmen t progra msubmitte d b

ya Stat e o r municipalit yan d approve d unde r sectio n 40 2 o f suc hAct ; an dP.4 8

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(11 ) An yreleas e o f source , specia l nuclear , o r byproduc t material , a s thos e term s ar e define d i n the Atomi c Energ yAc t o f 1954 , i n complianc e wit ha legall yenforceabl e license , permit , regulation , o r orde r issued pursuan t t o th e Atomi c Energ

yAc t o f 1954 . An yreleas e - - (1 ) exemp t fro

mregulatio n unde r the authorityo f on e o f th e statute s listed i n paragraph s (l)-(ll) ; (2 ) no t in complianc e wit hthe applicabl e permi t limi t o r condition , license , regulation , order , standard , o r program ; o r (3 ) t o a mediu

mothe r than tha t covere d i n the applicabl e permit , license , regulation , order , standard , o r program , i s no t a federall ypermitte d release .

PAR T 30 2 - DESIGNATION , REPORTABL E QUANTITIES , AN D NOTIFICATIO

N 7 . Th e authorit ycitatio n for Par t 30 2 continue s t o rea d a s follows : Authority : Sec . 10 2 o f the Comprehensiv e Environmenta l Response , Compensation , an

d Liabilit yAc t o f 1980 , 4 2 U.S.C . 9602 ; sees . 31 1 an d 501(a ) o f the Federa l Wate r Pollutio n Contro l Act , 3 3 U.S.C . 132 1 an d 1361 . 8 . 4 0 CF R 302. 3 i s amende d b yadding a definitio n o f federall ypermitte d releas e a s follows : Sectio n 302. 3 Definitions .

"Federall ypermitte d release " mean s an yreleas e whic hmeet s th e definitio n o f federall ypermitte d releas e in sectio n 300.6 . 9 . 4 0 CFR 302. 6 i s amende d b yadding a newparagraph(d ) a s follows : Sectio n 302. 6 Notificatio n requirements .

### V -49

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(d ) Wheneve r a releas e o f a hazardou s substanc e exceed s it s federall y permitte d leve l a s define d unde r sectio n 300. 6 ("federallypermitte d release" ) b ya reportabl e quantit yo r more , notificatio n shal l b e mad e for suc hreleas e i n accordanc e wit hthe requirement s o f thi s sectio n or , i f applicable , sectio n 302.8 . Wher e numerica l level s fo r hazardou s substance s ar e no t specified , an y releas e no t i n complianc e wit hth e term s o f th e applicabl e permit , license , regulation , order , standard o r progra mtha t equal s o r exceed s a reportabl e quantit ymus t b e reporte d t o th e Nationa l Respons e Cente r i n accordanc e wit h thi s sectio n or , i f applicable , sectio n 302.8 .