EPA530-F-95-030

February 1996

t 20 percent postconsumer fiber.

rior to a trial (or test)

mbustion facility (i.e.,

r or other facility that

ous waste) by sending

veryone on the facility

1EPA

United States Environmental Protection Agency

nt documents can be

A Hotline at 800 424-

In the Washington, DC,

DD 703 412-3323.

ned by writing the

RIC), U.S. Environmental

Solid Waste, 401 M

gton, DC 20460.
This rule makes it easier for 

citizens to becomeinvolved earlier andmore often in theprocess of permittinghazardous waste facilities. It also expandspublic access toinformation aboutfacilities. As a result,the rule enables communities to become

cipants in important local

cisions. In addition, the

ironmental justice con

g opportunities for all

mmunity to have a voice

 process. 

panded Public

le also helps facilities.

on can eliminate confusion

ermitting process that can

ublic is not involved until

helps ensure that the per

oves forward in a timely

ing better relationships

, the rule also can help

images and reduce poten

dition, citizens are often

luable information regard

ns for facilities to consider

r permit applications.

rule is very flexible—it

c requirements needed to

c participation goals and

tional activities that facili

t. 

To Whom Does This Rule Apply?

The new rule applies to hazardous waste facilities that are seeking an initial or renewed permit under

Subtitle C of the Resource Conservationand Recovery Act (RCRA). Hazardous wastefacilities are those that generate, accumulate,treat, and/or dispose of hazardous wastes. Toconduct their operations, they must obtain apermit from an EPA-authorized state/tribeor from EPA in states/tribes that are notauthorized to administer RCRA permits. 

The RCRA Expanded Public

Participation Rule does not requirefacilities that are already involved in thepermitting process to repeat a step inorder to comply with the new regulations. The rule does require, however,that facilities comply with new requirements during steps that they have notyet undertaken. Authorized states/tribesmust modify their permitting requirements to meet the new public participation regulations.

How Does the Rule IncreasePublic Involvement?

P rior to this rule, RCRA provided opportunities for formal public involvement

at two key points in the permittingprocess: 1) when the permitting agencyannounced its intent to grant or deny apermit and 2) when a facility requesteda modification of a permit that hadalready been granted. Based on recommendations from environmental groups, business trade associations, and concerned citizens, EPArevised RCRA’s permitting proceduresto involve the public much earlier, toprovide more opportunities for publicinvolvement throughout the process,and to expand public access to information about the facility and its activities. Specifically, the rule improves public participation in the followingfour ways:

1. Permit applicants must hold an

informal public meeting to informcommunity members of proposedhazardous waste management

he

n

.

T

P

T

The RCRA Expanded Public Participation Rule:

U Involves the public earlier in the permitting processU Provides more opportunities for public participationU Expands public access to informationU Offers guidance on how facilities can improve public 

participation
EPA530-F-95-030

February 1996

t 20 percent postconsumer fiber.

rior to a trial (or test)

mbustion facility (i.e.,

r or other facility that

ous waste) by sending

veryone on the facility

1EPA

United States Environmental Protection Agency

nt documents can be

A Hotline at 800 424-

In the Washington, DC,

DD 703 412-3323.

ned by writing the

RIC), U.S. Environmental

Solid Waste, 401 M

gton, DC 20460.