[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 248 (Monday, December 29, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67572-67577]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33764]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 271

[FRL-5937-2]


Louisiana: Final Authorization of State Hazardous Waste 
Management Program Revisions

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Immediate final rule.

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SUMMARY: The State of Louisiana has applied for authorization to revise 
its hazardous waste program under the Resource Conservation and 
Recovery Act (RCRA). Louisiana's revisions consist of regulations which 
specifically govern hazardous waste combustion at Boilers and 
Industrial Furnaces (BIF's). Louisiana requirements are listed on the 
chart included in this document. Upon approval, Louisiana will be 
authorized to regulate air emissions from the BIFs.

[[Page 67573]]

Currently, such waste is regulated by EPA. Louisiana will be authorized 
to issue BIF permits and to ensure that all permits issued to hazardous 
waste combustion facilities are protective of human health and the 
environment. Louisiana agrees to ensure compliance with all terms of 
the trial burn plans and schedules that are approved by EPA prior to 
authorization. The EPA has reviewed Louisiana's application and 
determined that its hazardous waste program revision satisfies all the 
requirements necessary to qualify for final authorization. Unless 
adverse written comments are received on this action during the review 
and comment period provided in a companion document in the ``Proposed 
Rules'' section of today's Federal Register, EPA's decision to approve 
Louisiana's hazardous waste program revision will take effect as 
provided below. Louisiana's application for the program revision is 
available for public review and comment.

DATES: This authorization for Louisiana shall be effective March 16, 
1998 unless EPA publishes a prior Federal Register (FR) action 
withdrawing this immediate final rule. Any comments on Louisiana's 
program revision application must be filed as provided in the companion 
document on this action, appearing in the Proposed Rules section of 
today's Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Louisiana program revision application and the 
materials which EPA used in evaluating the revision are available for 
inspection and copying from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday 
at the following addresses: Louisiana Department of Environmental 
Quality, H.B. Garlock Building, 7290 Bluebonnet, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 
70810, phone (504) 765-0617 and EPA, Region 6 Library, 12th Floor, 1445 
Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733, phone (214) 665-6444. Written 
comments, referring to Docket Number LA-97-1, should be sent to Alima 
Patterson, Region 6 Authorization Coordinator, Grants and Authorization 
Section (6PD-G), Multimedia Planning and Permitting Division, EPA 
Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733, Phone number: 
(214) 665-8533.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alima Patterson, Region 6 
Authorization Coordinator, Grants and Authorization Section (6PD-G), 
Multimedia Planning and Permitting Division, EPA Region 6, 1445 Ross 
Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75202-2733, Phone number: (214) 665-8533.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    States authorized under section 3006(b) of RCRA, 42 U.S.C. 6926(b), 
have a continuing obligation to maintain a hazardous waste program that 
is equivalent to, consistent with, and no less stringent than the 
Federal hazardous waste program. Revisions to State Hazardous Waste 
Programs are necessary when Federal or State statutory or regulatory 
authority is modified or when certain other changes occur. Most 
commonly, State program revisions are necessitated by changes to EPA's 
regulations in 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) parts 124, 260-266, 
268, 270, and 279.

B. Louisiana

    The State of Louisiana initially received final authorization on 
February 7, 1985 (50 FR 3348), to implement its base hazardous waste 
management program. Louisiana received authorization for revisions to 
its program on January 29, 1990 (54 FR 48889), October 25, 1991 (56 FR 
41958), and Corrections at (56 FR 51762), effective January 23, 1995 
(59 FR 55368-55371), and Corrections at (60 FR 18360), March 8, 1995 
(59 FR 66200), January 2, 1996 (60 FR 53707) and June 11, 1996 (61 FR 
13777-13782). On December 4, 1996, Louisiana submitted a final complete 
program revision application for additional program approvals. Today, 
Louisiana is seeking approval of its program revision in accordance 
with 40 CFR 271.21(b)(3).
    In 1983, the Louisiana legislature adopted Act 97, which amended 
and reenacted Louisiana Revised Statutes 30:1051 et seq., the 
Environmental Affairs Act. This Act created the Louisiana Department of 
Environmental Quality (LDEQ), which has lead agency jurisdictional 
authority for administering the RCRA Subtitle C program in the State.

C. BIF Revisions

    The State of Louisiana has applied for authorization to revise its 
RCRA hazardous waste program to include regulations which specifically 
govern hazardous waste combustion at Boilers and Industrial Furnaces 
(BIFs). Hazardous waste combustion is a form of hazardous waste 
treatment under RCRA regulations. The regulatory form for combustion is 
defined as ``the treatment of hazardous waste in a device which uses 
elevated temperatures as the primary means to change the chemical, 
physical or biological character or composition of the hazardous 
waste.'' 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) section 260.10. Hazardous 
waste combustion occurs at a variety of facilities including 
incinerators, boilers, and industrial furnaces. Louisiana requirements 
are listed on the chart included in this document. Upon approval, 
Louisiana will be authorized to regulate air emissions from the BIFs. 
Currently, such waste is regulated by EPA. Louisiana will be authorized 
to issue BIF permits and to ensure that all permits issued to hazardous 
waste combustion facilities are protective of human health and the 
environment. Louisiana has also agreed to ensure compliance with all 
terms of the trial burn plans and schedules that are approved by EPA 
prior to authorization.
    The EPA reviewed Louisiana's application and is today making an 
immediate final decision, subject to review and comment, that 
Louisiana's hazardous waste program revision satisfies all of the 
requirements necessary to qualify for final authorization. 
Consequently, the EPA intends to grant authorization for the additional 
program modifications to Louisiana. As provided in the Proposed Rules 
section of today's Federal Register, the public may submit written 
comments on EPA's proposed final decision until January 28, 1998. 
Copies of LDEQ's application for program revision are available for 
inspection and copying at the locations indicated in the ADDRESSES 
section of this document.
    Approval of LDEQ's program revision shall become effective 75 days 
from the date this document is published, unless an adverse written 
comment pertaining to the State's revision discussed in this document 
is received by the end of the comment period. If a adverse written 
comment is received, EPA will publish either a withdrawal of the 
immediate final decision or a document containing a response to the 
comment which either affirms that the immediate final decision takes 
effect or reverses the decision.
    Louisiana's program revision application includes State regulatory 
changes that are equivalent to the rules promulgated in the Federal 
RCRA implementing regulations in 40 CFR parts 124, 260-266, 268, and 
270 that were published in the FR from July 1, 1993, through June 30, 
1994. This proposed approval includes the provisions that are listed in 
the chart below. This chart also lists the State analogs that are being 
recognized as equivalent to the appropriate Federal requirements.

[[Page 67574]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Federal citation                       State analog         
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Burning of Hazardous Waste in         Louisiana Revised Statutes     
 Boilers and Industrial Furnaces, [56     (LRS) 30: Sec.  2180 et seq,  
 FR 7134] February 1991. (Checklist 85).  as amended June 14, 1991,     
                                          effective June 14, 1991;      
                                          Louisiana Hazardous Waste     
                                          Regulations (LHWR) Secs.      
                                          105.D.13, 17, & 18, as amended
                                          September 20, 1994, effective 
                                          September 20, 1994; 4105.B.13,
                                          as amended September 20, 1996,
                                          effective September 1996; 109,
                                          as amended September 20, 1995,
                                          effective September 20, 1995; 
                                          109.Solid Wst.b-4.b.iii & 5.d,
                                          as amended September 20, 1994,
                                          effective September 20, 1994; 
                                          1501.C.2, 3001.A, 3001.F.1.c, 
                                          as amended March 20, 1995,    
                                          effective March 29, 1995;     
                                          3001.C.1-C.1.b, 3001.C.2.a-   
                                          C.3.b.iii, as amended         
                                          September 20, 1996, effective 
                                          September 20, 1996; 4307, as  
                                          amended March 20, 1996,       
                                          effective March 20, 1996;     
                                          321.C.a.iv, as amended        
                                          September 20, 1995, effective 
                                          September 20, 1995; 321.C.7-  
                                          C.a.v, 321.C.a.i-iv, 322,     
                                          535.A-F, 537.A-C, as amended  
                                          March 30, 1995, effective     
                                          March 20, 1995; 3115.B.12-    
                                          B.12.a, as amended September  
                                          20, 1996, effective September 
                                          20, 1996; 4303.A.6, & B.7, as 
                                          amended December 20, 1992,    
                                          effective December 20, 1992;  
                                          4305.C & D, as amended October
                                          20, 1994, effective October   
                                          20, 1992; 105.D.33.b, as      
                                          amended May 20, 1996,         
                                          effective May 20, 1996;       
                                          105.H.1, 109 Infrared         
                                          Incinerator, 109. Plasma arc  
                                          Incinerator, as amended March 
                                          20, 1995, effective March 20, 
                                          1995; 110, as amended         
                                          September 20, 1996, effective 
                                          September 20, 1996; 3001.A-E, 
                                          3001.F, 3003.A-C.2, 3005.A-I, 
                                          as amended September 20, 1995,
                                          effective September 20, 1995; 
                                          3007.A-L, 3007B.b.2ii.c 3009.A-
                                          , 3013.A-I, 3015.A-H, 3017.A- 
                                          E, 3019.A-B.2, 3019.B.1, 3021,
                                          3021 A, B, C, D & E, 3021.F.4,
                                          3021.F, 1-3, 3023.A-E.6, 3025,
                                          3025 A, A 1-3, 3025.B,        
                                          3025.B.1, 3025.B.1.a,         
                                          3025.B.1.b, 3025.B.2.a,       
                                          3025.C, 3025.C.1-2,           
                                          3025.C.2.a, as amended March  
                                          20, 1995, effective March 20, 
                                          1995; Chap 30 Appendices A-L, 
                                          as amended May 20, 1996,      
                                          effective May 20, 1996;       
                                          3105.A.I, as amended September
                                          20, 1994, effective September 
                                          20, 1994; 3511.D.1, as amended
                                          March 20, 1995, effective     
                                          March 20, 1995; 4105.C & C.2, 
                                          as amended September 20, 1994,
                                          effective September 20, 1994; 
                                          4381.D.1, 4381.D.2-D.2.b,     
                                          4383.A-B, as amended March 20,
                                          1995, effective March 20,     
                                          1995, 4513, as amended        
                                          September 20, 1995, effective 
                                          September 20, 1995; 4523,     
                                          1995; and 4523, as amended    
                                          March 20, 1995, effective     
                                          September 20, 1995.           
2. Burning of Hazardous Waste in         LRS 30: 2180 et seq, as amended
 Boilers and Industrial Furnaces;         June 14, 1991, effective June 
 Corrections and Technical Amendments     14, 1991; LHWR Secs.  321.C.7-
 I, [56 FR 32688] July 17, 1991.          C.a.v, 321.C.a.i-iv, 322,     
 (Checklist 94).                          535.A-F, 537.A-C, as amended  
                                          March 30, 1995, effective     
                                          March 20, 1995; 3115.B.12-    
                                          B.12.a, as amended September  
                                          20, 1996, effective September 
                                          20, 1996; 4303.A.6, & B.7, as 
                                          amended December 20, 1992,    
                                          effective December 20, 1992;  
                                          4305.C & D, as amended October
                                          20, 1994, effective October   
                                          20, 1992; 105.D.33.b, as      
                                          amended May 20, 1996,         
                                          effective May 20, 1996;       
                                          105.H.1, 109 Infrared         
                                          Incinerator, 109. Plasma arc  
                                          Incinerator, as amended March 
                                          20, 1995, effective March 20, 
                                          1995; 110, as amended         
                                          September 20, 1996, effective 
                                          September 20, 1996; 3001. A-E,
                                          3001.F, 3001.B.2-3, 3003.A-   
                                          C.2, 3005.A-I, 3005.B.1,      
                                          3005.D.4.d, 3005.E.3.a.iii,   
                                          3005.E.6.b, 3005.E.6.b.ii(b), 
                                          3005.E.d.ii, as amended       
                                          September 20, 1995, effective 
                                          September 20, 1995; 3007.A-L, 
                                          3007.A.1.b, 3007.B.2.b.i-ii,  
                                          iv, 3007.B.2.d,               
                                          3007.B.2.e.i(e), 3007.B.2.f,  
                                          3007.B.3.b-ii,                
                                          3007.B.5.b.ii(b), 3007.B.6,   
                                          3009.A-I, 3011.A-C, 3013.A-I, 
                                          3015.A-H, 3017.A-E, 3019.A-   
                                          B.2, 3019.B.1, 3021, 3021 A,  
                                          B, C, D & E, 3021.F.3-4,      
                                          3021.F., 1-3, 3023.A-E.6,     
                                          3025, 3025 A, A 1-3, 3025.B,  
                                          3025.B.1, 3025.B.1.a,         
                                          3025.B.1.b, 3025.B.2.a,       
                                          3025.C, 3025.C.1-2,           
                                          3025.C.2.a, as amended March  
                                          20, 1995, effective March 20, 
                                          1995; Chap 30 Appendices A-L, 
                                          as amended May 20, 1996,      
                                          effective May 20, 1996;       
                                          3105.A.I, as amended September
                                          20, 1994, effective September 
                                          20, 1994; 3511.D.1, as amended
                                          March 20, 1995, effective     
                                          March 20, 1995; 4105.C & C.2, 
                                          as amended September 20, 1994,
                                          effective September 20, 1994; 
                                          4381.D.1, 4381.D.2-D.2.b,     
                                          4383.A-B, as amended March 20,
                                          1995, effective March 20,     
                                          1995, 4513, as amended        
                                          September 20, 1995, effective 
                                          September 20, 1995; 4523,     
                                          1995; and 4523, as amended    
                                          March 20, 1995, effective     
                                          September 20, 1995.           

[[Page 67575]]

                                                                        
3. Burning of Hazardous Waste in         LRS 30: 2180 et seq, as amended
 Boilers and Industrial Furnaces,         June 14, 1991, effective June 
 Technical Amendment II, [56 FR 42504-    14, 1991; LHWR Secs.          
 42517] August 27, 1991. (Checklist 96).  109.Solid Wst.b-4.b.i-iii &   
                                          5.d, as amended September 20, 
                                          1994, effective September 20, 
                                          1994; 1501.C.2, 3001.A,       
                                          3001.F.1.c, as amended March  
                                          20, 1995, effective March 29, 
                                          1995; 3001.C.1-C.1.b,         
                                          3001.C.2.a-C.3.b.iii, as      
                                          amended September 20, 1996,   
                                          effective September 20, 1996; 
                                          4307, as amended March 20,    
                                          1996, effective March 20,     
                                          1996; 105.D.33.b, as amended  
                                          May 20, 1996, effective May   
                                          20, 1996; 105.H.1, 109        
                                          Infrared Incinerator, 109.    
                                          Plasma arc Incinerator, as    
                                          amended March 20, 1995,       
                                          effective March 20, 1995; 110,
                                          as amended September 20, 1996,
                                          effective September 20, 1996; 
                                          3001. A-E, 3001.F, 3003.A-C.2,
                                          3005.A-I, as amended September
                                          20, 1995, effective September 
                                          20, 1995; 3007.A-L, 3009.A-I, 
                                          3011.A-C, 3013.A-I, 3015.A-H, 
                                          3017.A-E, 3019.A-B.2,         
                                          3019.B.1, 3021, 3021 A, B, C, 
                                          D & E, 3021.F.4, 3021.F., 1-3,
                                          3023.A-E.6, 3023.D.2, 3025,   
                                          3025 A, A 1-3, 3025.B,        
                                          3025.B.1, 3025.B.1.a,         
                                          3025.B.1.b, 3025.B.2.a,c,     
                                          3025.C, 3025.C.1-2,           
                                          3025.C.2.a, as amended March  
                                          20, 1995, effective March 20, 
                                          1995; Chap 30 Appendices A-L, 
                                          as amended May 20, 1996,      
                                          effective May 20, 1996;       
                                          3105.A.I, as amended September
                                          20, 1994, effective September 
                                          20, 1994; 3511.D.1, as amended
                                          March 20, 1995, effective     
                                          March 20, 1995; 4105.C & C.2, 
                                          as amended September 20, 1994,
                                          effective September 20, 1994; 
                                          4381.D.1, 4381.D.2 4381.D.2.a-
                                          2.b, 4383.A-B, as amended     
                                          March 20, 1995, effective     
                                          March 20, 1995, 4513, as      
                                          amended September 20, 1995,   
                                          effective September 20, 1995; 
                                          4523, 1995; and 4523, as      
                                          amended March 20, 1995,       
                                          effective September 20, 1995. 
4. Burning of Hazardous Waste in         LRS 30: 2180 et seq, as amended
 Boilers and Industrial Furnaces;         June 14, 1991, effective June 
 Technical Amendments III, [57 FR 38558-  14, 1991; LHWR Secs.          
 38566] August 25, 1992. (Checklist       109.Solid Wst.b-4.b.i-iii &   
 111).                                    5.d, as amended September 20, 
                                          1994, effective September 20, 
                                          1994; 1501.C.2, 3001.A,       
                                          3001.F.1.c, as amended March  
                                          20, 1995, effective March 29, 
                                          1995; 3001.C.1-C.1.b,         
                                          3001.C.2.a-C.3.b.iii, as      
                                          amended September 20, 1996,   
                                          effective September 20, 1996; 
                                          4307, as amended March 20,    
                                          1996, effective March 20,     
                                          1996; 105.D.33.b, as amended  
                                          May 20, 1996, effective May   
                                          20, 1996; 105.H.1, 109        
                                          Infrared Incinerator, 109.    
                                          Plasma arc Incinerator, as    
                                          amended March 20, 1995,       
                                          effective March 20, 1995; 110,
                                          as amended September 20, 1996,
                                          effective September 20, 1996; 
                                          3001. A-E, 3001.F, 3003.C.1,  
                                          3003.A-C.2, 3005.A-I, as      
                                          amended September 20, 1995,   
                                          effective September 20, 1995; 
                                          3007.A-L, 3009.A-I, 3011.A-C, 
                                          3013.A-I, 3015.A-H, 3017.A-E, 
                                          3019.A-B.2, 3019.B.1, 3021,   
                                          3021 A, B, C, D & E, 3021.F.4,
                                          3021.F., 1-3, 3023.A-E.6,     
                                          3023.D.2, 3025, 3025 A, A 1-3,
                                          3025.B, 3025.B.1, 3025.B.1.a, 
                                          3025.B.1.b, 3025.B.2.a,c,     
                                          3025.C, 3025.C.1-2,           
                                          3025.C.2.a, as amended March  
                                          20, 1995, effective March 20, 
                                          1995; Chap 30 Appendices A-L, 
                                          as amended May 20, 1996,      
                                          effective May 20, 1996;       
                                          3105.A.I, as amended September
                                          20, 1994, effective September 
                                          20, 1994; 3511.D.1, as amended
                                          March 20, 1995, effective     
                                          March 20, 1995; 4105.C & C.2, 
                                          as amended September 20, 1994,
                                          effective September 20, 1994; 
                                          4381.D.1, 4381.D.2 4381.D.2.a-
                                          2.b, 4383.A-B, as amended     
                                          March 20, 1995, effective     
                                          March 20, 1995, 4513, as      
                                          amended September 20, 1995,   
                                          effective September 20, 1995; 
                                          4523, 1995; and 4523, as      
                                          amended March 20, 1995,       
                                          effective September 20, 1995. 
5. Burning of Hazardous Waste in         LRS 30: 2180 et seq, as amended
 Boilers and Industrial Furnaces;         June 14, 1991, effective June 
 Technical Amendment IV, [57 FR 44999-    14, 1991; LHWR Secs.          
 45001] September 30, 1992. (Checklist    105.D.33.b, as amended May 20,
 114).                                    1996, effective May 20, 1996; 
                                          105.H.1, 109 Infrared         
                                          Incinerator, 109. Plasma arc  
                                          Incinerator, as amended March 
                                          20, 1995, effective March 20, 
                                          1995; 110, as amended         
                                          September 20, 1996, effective 
                                          September 20, 1996; 3001. A-E,
                                          3001.F, 3003.C.1, 3003.A-C.2, 
                                          3005.A-I, as amended September
                                          20, 1995, effective September 
                                          20, 1995; 3007.A-L, 3009.A-I, 
                                          3011.A-C, 3013.A-I, 3015.A-H, 
                                          3017.A-E, 3019.A-B.2,         
                                          3019.B.1, 3021, 3021 A, B, C, 
                                          D & E, 3021.F.4, 3021.F., 1-3,
                                          3023.A-E.6, 3023.D.2, 3025,   
                                          3025 A, A 1-3, 3025.B,        
                                          3025.B.1, 3025.B.1.a,         
                                          3025.B.1.b, 3025.B.2.a,c,     
                                          3025.C, 3025.C.1-2,           
                                          3025.C.2.a, as amended March  
                                          20, 1995, effective March 20, 
                                          1995; Chap 30 Appendices A-L, 
                                          as amended May 20, 1996,      
                                          effective May 20, 1996;       
                                          3105.A.I, as amended September
                                          20, 1994, effective September 
                                          20, 1994; 3511.D.1, as amended
                                          March 20, 1995, effective     
                                          March 20, 1995; 4105.C & C.2, 
                                          as amended September 20, 1994,
                                          effective September 20, 1994; 
                                          4381.D.1, 4381.D.2 4381.D.2.a-
                                          2.b, 4383.A-B, as amended     
                                          March 20, 1995, effective     
                                          March 20, 1995, 4513, as      
                                          amended September 20, 1995,   
                                          effective September 20, 1995; 
                                          4523, 1995; and 4523, as      
                                          amended March 20, 1995,       
                                          effective September 20, 1995. 

[[Page 67576]]

                                                                        
6. Boilers and Industrial Furnaces;      LRS 30: 2180 et seq, as amended
 Changes for Consistency with New Air     June 14, 1991, effective June 
 Regulations, [58 FR 3881-38884] July     14, 1991; LHWR Secs.  110, as 
 20, 1993. (Checklist 125).               amended September 20, 1996,   
                                          effective September 20, 1996; 
                                          3009.E.3, as amended May 20,  
                                          1996, effective May 20, 1996; 
                                          3013.H, as amended May 20,    
                                          1995, effective May 20, 1995; 
                                          and Chapter 30.App J, as      
                                          amended May 20, 1996,         
                                          effective May 20, 1996.       
7. Testing and Monitoring Activities,    LRS 30: Sec.  2180 et seq, as  
 [58 FR 46040-46051] August 31, 1993.     amended June 14, 1991,        
 (Checklist 126).                         effective June 14, 1991;      
                                          Louisiana Hazardous Waste     
                                          Regulations (LHWR) Secs.  110,
                                          105.M.3.a.i, 537.B.2.b.ii(a)- 
                                          (b), 529.C.1.c-d, 1901.A,     
                                          2223, 2223.A, 2515.D,         
                                          4431.A.1, 4507.D, 4903.c.1-2, 
                                          4903.E.1, Ch.49.App.A,        
                                          Ch.49.App.B, Ch. 49.App.C,    
                                          Chap 49 App A.Tbl 8-10, as    
                                          amended September 20, 1996;   
                                          effective September 20, 1996; 
                                          Sec.  3115.B.1.c-d, as amended
                                          March 20, 1995; effective     
                                          March 20, 1995.               
8. Boilers and Industrial Furnaces;      LRS 30: 2180 et seq, as amended
 Administrative Stay and Interim          June 14, 1991, effective June 
 Standards for Bevill Residues, [58 FR    14, 1991; LHWR Secs.          
 59598-59603] November 9, 1993.           3025.B.2.a, as amended        
 (Checklist 127).                         September 20, 1996, effective 
                                          September 20, 1996; Chap 30   
                                          App G, as amended May 20,     
                                          1996.                         
9. Hazardous Waste Management System;    LRS 30: 2180 et seq, as amended
 Identification and Listing of            June 14, 1991, effective June 
 Hazardous Wastes from Wood Surface       14, 1991; LHWR Secs.  110, and
 Protection, [59 FR 458-469] January 4,   3105.Tbl.1, as amended        
 1994. (Checklist 128)                    September, 20, 1996; effective
                                          September 20, 1996.           
10. Hazardous Waste Management System;   LRS 30: 2180 et seq, as amended
 Identification and Listing of            June 14, 1991, effective June 
 Hazardous Waste; Treatability Studies    14, 1991; LHWR Secs.          
 Sample Exclusion, [59 FR 8362-8366]      105.D.37.b.i-ii, 105.D.37.c,  
 February 18, 1994. (Checklist 129).      105.D.37.c.i-iii,             
                                          105.D.37.c.iii.(a)-(e),       
                                          105.D.38.c, 105.D.38.d,       
                                          105.D.38.e, as amended        
                                          September 20, 1996; effective 
                                          September 20, 1996.           
11. Hazardous Waste Management System;   LRS 30: 2180 et seq, as amended
 Identification and Listing of            June 14, 1991, effective June 
 Hazardous Waste; Recycled Used Oil       14, 1991; LHWR Secs.  4001,   
 Management Standards; [59 FR 10550-      4003.B.1.b, 4003.B.2.c,       
 10560] March 4, 1994. (Checklist 130).   4003.G, 4003.G.1-6, 4009.B.2, 
                                          4009.B.2.a, 4009.B.b,         
                                          4009.B.2.c-e, 4027.C, 4033.C, 
                                          4037.A.5, 4037.B.5, 4047.C,   
                                          4067.C, as amended March 20,  
                                          1995; effective March 20,     
                                          1995, Sec.  4003.G, 4003.G.1- 
                                          6, 4009.B.2.c-e, as amended   
                                          September 20, 1996; effective 
                                          September 20, 1996.           
12. Recordkeeping Instructions;          LRS 30: 2180 et seq, as amended
 Technical Amendment, [59 FR 13891-       June 14, 1991, effective June 
 13893] March 24, 1994. (Checklist 131).  14, 1991; LHWR Secs.          
                                          1529.B.3.Tbl.1,               
                                          1529.B.4.Tbl.2,               
                                          4357.B.3.Tbl.1, and           
                                          4357.B.4.Tbl.2, as amended    
                                          September 20, 1996; effective 
                                          September 20, 1996.           
13. Hazardous Waste Management System;   LRS 30: 2180 et seq, as amended
 Identification and Listing of            June 14, 1991, effective June 
 Hazardous Wastes; Waste from Wood        14, 1991; LHWR Sec.  110, as  
 Surface Protection; Correction, [59 FR   amended September 20, 1996;   
 28484] June 2, 1994. (Checklist 132).    effective September 20, 1996. 
14. Standards Applicable to Owners and   LRS 30: 2180 et seq, as amended
 Operators of Hazardous Waste             June 14, 1991, effective June 
 Treatment, Storage, and Disposal         14, 1991; LHWR Secs.  3719.D, 
 Facilities, Underground Storage Tanks,   and 3719.K, as amended        
 and Underground Injection Control        September 20, 1996; effective 
 Systems; Financial Assurance; Letter     September 20, 1996.           
 of Credit, [59 FR 29958-29960] June                                    
 10, 1994. (Checklist 133).                                             
15. Hazardous Waste Management System;   LRS 30: 2180 et seq, as amended
 Correction of Listing of P015-           June 14, 1991, effective June 
 Beryllium Powder, [59 FR 31551] June     14, 1991; LHWR Sec.           
 20 1994. (Checklist 134).                4901.E.Tbl.3, as amended      
                                          September 20, 1996; effective 
                                          September 20, 1996, Sec.      
                                          Ch.22.Tbl.2, as amended       
                                          January 20, 1996; effective   
                                          January 20, 1996.             
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Louisiana is not authorized to operate the Federal program on 
Indian lands, this authority remains with EPA.

D. Decision

    I conclude that Louisiana's application for program revision meets 
all of the statutory and regulatory requirements established by RCRA. 
Accordingly, Louisiana is granted final authorization to operate its 
hazardous waste program as revised, assuming no adverse comments are 
received as discussed above. Upon effective final approval Louisiana 
will be responsible for permitting treatment, storage, and disposal 
facilities within its borders and for carrying out the aspects of the 
RCRA program described in its revised program application, subject to 
the limitations of the HSWA. Louisiana also will have primary 
enforcement responsibilities, although EPA retains the right to conduct 
inspections under section 3007 of RCRA, and to take enforcement actions 
under sections 3008, 3013, and 7003 of RCRA.

E. Codification in Part 272

    EPA uses 40 CFR part 272 for codification of the decision to 
authorize Louisiana's program and for incorporation by reference of 
those provisions of Louisiana's statutes and regulations that EPA will 
enforce under sections 3008, 3013, and 7003 of RCRA. Therefore, EPA is 
reserving amendment of 40 CFR part 272, subpart T until a later date.

F. Compliance with Executive Order 12866

    The Office of Management and Budget has exempted this rule from the 
requirements of section 3 of Executive Order 12866.

G. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), P.L. 
104-4, establishes requirements for Federal agencies to assess the 
effects of their regulatory actions on State, local, and tribal 
governments and the private sector. Under section 202 of the UMRA, the 
EPA generally must prepare a written statement, including a cost-
benefit analysis, for proposed and final rules with ``Federal 
mandates'' that may result in expenditures to State, local, and tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or to the private sector, of $100 
million or more in any one year. Before promulgating an EPA rule for 
which a written statement is needed, section 205 of the UMRA generally 
requires the EPA

[[Page 67577]]

to identify and consider a reasonable number of regulatory alternatives 
and adopt the least costly, most cost-effective, or least burdensome 
alternative that achieves the objectives of the rule.
    The provisions of section 205 do not apply when they are 
inconsistent with applicable law. Moreover, section 205 allows the EPA 
to adopt an alternative other than the least costly, most cost-
effective, or least burdensome alternative if the Administrator 
publishes with the final rule an explanation why that alternative was 
not adopted. Before the EPA establishes any regulatory requirements 
that may significantly or uniquely affect small governments, including 
tribal governments, it must have developed under section 203 of the 
UMRA a small government agency plan. The plan must provide for 
notifying potentially affected small governments, enabling officials of 
affected small governments to have meaningful and timely input in the 
development of the EPA regulatory proposals with significant Federal 
intergovernmental mandates, and informing, educating, and advising 
small governments on compliance with the regulatory requirements.
    The EPA has determined that this rule does not contain a Federal 
mandate that may result in expenditures of $100 million or more for 
State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or the private 
sector in any one year. The EPA does not anticipate that the approval 
of Louisiana's hazardous waste program referenced in today's document 
will result in annual costs of $100 million or more.
    Today's rule contains no Federal mandates for State, local or 
tribal governments or the private sector. The Act excludes from the 
definition of a ``Federal mandate'' duties that arise from 
participation in a voluntary Federal program, except in certain cases 
where a ``Federal intergovernmental mandate'' affects an annual federal 
entitlement program of $500 million or more that are not applicable 
here. Louisiana's request for approval of a hazardous waste program is 
voluntary; if a state chooses not to seek authorization for 
administration of a hazardous waste program under RCRA subtitle C, RCRA 
regulation is left to the EPA.
    The EPA has determined that this rule does not contain a Federal 
mandate that may result in expenditures $100 million or more for state, 
local, and tribal governments in the aggregate, or the private sector 
in any one year. The EPA does not anticipate that the approval of 
Louisiana's hazardous waste program referenced in today's document will 
result in annual costs of $100 million or more. The EPA's approval of 
state programs generally may reduce, not increase, compliance costs for 
the private sector since the State, by virtue of the approval, may now 
administer the program in lieu of the EPA and exercise primary 
enforcement. Hence, owners and operators of treatment, storage, or 
disposal facilities (TSDFs) generally no longer face dual federal and 
state compliance requirements, thereby reducing overall compliance 
costs. Thus, today's rule is not subject to the requirements of 
sections 202 and 205 of the UMRA.
    The EPA has determined that this rule contains no regulatory 
requirements that might significantly or uniquely affect small 
governments. The Agency recognizes that small governments may own and/
or operate TSDFs that will become subject to the requirements of an 
approved state hazardous waste program. However, such small governments 
which own and/or operate TSDFs are already subject to the requirements 
in 40 CFR parts 264, 265, and 270 and are not subject to any additional 
significant or unique requirements by virtue of this program approval. 
Once EPA authorizes a State to administer its own hazardous waste 
program and any revisions to that program, these same small governments 
will be able to own and operate their TSDFs and underground storage 
tanks under the approved State program, in lieu of the Federal program.

H. Certification Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The EPA has determined that this authorization will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
The EPA recognizes that small entities may own and/or operate TSDFs 
that will become subject to the requirements of an approved state 
hazardous waste program. However, since such small entities which own 
and/or operate TSDFs are already subject to the requirements in 40 CFR 
parts 264, 265 and 270, this authorization does not impose any 
additional burdens on these small entities. This is because EPA's 
authorization would result in an administrative change (i.e., whether 
the EPA or the state administers the RCRA subtitle C program in that 
state), rather than result in a change in the substantive requirements 
imposed on small entities. Once EPA authorizes a state to administer 
its own hazardous waste program and any revisions to that program, 
these same small entities will be able to own and operate their TSDFs 
under the approved state program, in lieu of the federal program. 
Moreover, this authorization, in approving a state program to operate 
in lieu of the federal program, eliminates duplicative requirements for 
owners and operators of TSDFs in that particular state.
    Therefore, EPA provides the following certification under the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act, as amended by the Small Business Regulatory 
Enforcement Fairness Act. Pursuant to the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 
605(b), I hereby certify that this authorization will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
This authorization effectively suspends the applicability of certain 
Federal regulations in favor of Louisiana's program, thereby 
eliminating duplicative requirements for handlers of hazardous waste in 
the State. It does not impose any new burdens on small entities. This 
rule, therefore, does not require a regulatory flexibility analysis.

I. Submission to Congress and the General Accounting Office

    Under 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A) as added by the Small Business 
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, the EPA submitted a report 
containing this rule and other required information to the U.S. Senate, 
the U.S. House of Representatives and the Comptroller General of the 
General Accounting Office prior to publication of the rule in today's 
Federal Register. This rule is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 
U.S.C. 804(2).

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 271

    Environmental protections, Administrative practice and procedure, 
Confidential business information, Hazardous materials transportation, 
Hazardous waste, Indian lands, Intergovernmental relations, Penalties, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Water pollution control, 
Water supply.

    Authority: This document is issued under the authority of 
sections 2002(a), 3006, and 7004(b) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act 
as amended, 42 U.S.C. 6912(a), 6926, 6974(b).

    Dated: December 11, 1997.
Lynda F. Carroll,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region VI.
[FR Doc. 97-33764 Filed 12-24-97; 8:45 am]
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