Proposed Approval of Central Characterization Project's Transuranic Waste Characterization Program at the Savannah River Site, 13592-13596 [E6-3813]
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 51 / Thursday, March 16, 2006 / Notices
petition requesting that EPA object to
the proposed title V operating permit for
Onyx Environmental Services. The
Sierra Club and American Bottom
Conservancy alleged that the proposed
permit (1) violates EPA’s commitments
and obligations to address
environmental justice issues; (2) lacks a
compliance schedule and certification
of compliance; (3) does not address
modifications Onyx allegedly took that
triggered new source review
requirements; (4) is based on an eightyear old application; (5) lacks
practically enforceable conditions; (6)
contains a permit shield that broadly
insulates it from ongoing and recent
violations; (7) fails to include conditions
that meet the legal requirements for
monitoring; (8) does not contain a
statement of basis; (9) does not require
prompt reporting of violations; and (10)
fails to establish annual mercury and
lead limits.
On February 1, 2006, the
Administrator signed an order partially
granting and partially denying the
petition. The order explains the reasons
behind EPA’s conclusion that the IEPA
must: (1) Address the significant
comments concerning the possible need
for a compliance schedule in the
proposed permit; (2) require Onyx
Environmental Services to submit a
current compliance certification; (3)
address comments concerning
modifications made at the Onyx facility
and the potential applicability of new
source review requirements; (4) require
Onyx Environmental Services to submit
an updated application that reflects all
applicable requirements for the source;
(5) make clear either in the permit or
statement of basis what constitutes
‘‘normal’’ operating conditions; (6)
amend the permit to limit Onyx
Environmental Service’s election to
regulatory requirements applicable to
hazardous waste incinerators; (7) define
the terms ‘‘container’’ and
‘‘containerized solids,’’ or explain in the
statement of basis where the terms are
defined; (8) provide information on
where the applicable specifications
pertaining to ‘‘manufacturer’s
specifications’’ can be located; (9)
provide a statement of basis that
complies with the requirements of EPA
regulations and post its statement of
basis on a Web site, or make available
to the public on the Web site a notice
telling the public where it can obtain
the statement of basis; and (10) explain
how a thirty day reporting requirement
for all deviations is prompt or require a
shorter reporting period for deviations
as is provided for in 40 CFR part 71. The
order also explains the reasons for
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denying Sierra Club and American
Bottom Conservancy’s remaining
claims.
Pursuant to sections 505(b)(2) and 307
of the Act, Petitioners have 60 days from
the date that this notice appears in the
Federal Register to petition the United
States Court of Appeals for the Seventh
Circuit for review of the portions of the
petition which EPA denied.
Dated: March 2, 2006.
Bharat Mathur,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 5.
[FR Doc. E6–3812 Filed 3–15–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[EPA–HQ–OAR–2006–0094; FRL–8045–6]
Proposed Approval of Central
Characterization Project’s Transuranic
Waste Characterization Program at the
Savannah River Site
Environmental Protection
Agency.
ACTION: Notice of availability; opening
of public comment period.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection
Agency (‘‘EPA’’ or ‘‘we’’) is announcing
the availability of, and soliciting public
comments for 45 days on, the proposed
approval of the waste characterization
program implemented by the Central
Characterization Project (‘‘CCP’’) to
characterize transuranic (‘‘TRU’’)
radioactive waste at the Savannah River
Site (SRS) proposed for disposal at the
Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (‘‘WIPP’’). In
accordance with the WIPP Compliance
Criteria, EPA evaluated the CCP’s
characterization of TRU debris waste
and soils/gravel from SRS during an
inspection conducted October 31–
November 3, 2005. Using the systems
and processes developed as part of the
Department of Energy’s (‘‘DOE’s’’)
Carlsbad Field Office (‘‘CBFO’’) CCP,
EPA verified whether DOE could
adequately characterize TRU waste
consistent with the Compliance Criteria.
The results of EPA’s evaluation of the
SRS CCP program and the proposed
approval are described in EPA’s
inspection report, which is available for
review in the public dockets listed in
ADDRESSES. We will consider public
comments received on or before the due
date mentioned in DATES.
This notice summarizes the waste
characterization processes EPA
evaluated, the ‘‘tier’’ EPA assigned to
each waste characterization process
component, and the TRU waste
categories proposed for approval. As
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required by the 40 CFR 194.8 changes
promulgated in July 2004, at the end of
a 45-day comment period EPA will
evaluate public comments received,
finalize the report responding to the
relevant public comments, and issue the
final report and an approval letter to
DOE’s Carlsbad Field Office. Waste that
is characterized by the SRS CCP is not
eligible for disposal at WIPP until EPA
formally grants its approval.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before May 1, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–
OAR–2006–0094, by one of the
following methods:
• https://www.regulations.gov: Follow
the on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
• E-mail: to a-and-r-docket@epa.gov.
• Fax: 202–566–1741.
• Mail: Air and Radiation Docket and
Information Center, Environmental
Protection Agency, Mailcode: 6102T,
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC 20460.
Instructions: Direct your comments to
Attn: Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OAR–
2006–0094. The Agency’s policy is that
all comments received will be included
in the public docket without change and
may be made available online at https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided, unless
the comment includes information
claimed to be Confidential Business
Information (CBI) or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Do not submit information that you
consider to be CBI or otherwise
protected through https://
www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The
https://www.regulations.gov Web site is
an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which
means EPA will not know your identity
or contact information unless you
provide it in the body of your comment.
If you send an e-mail comment directly
to EPA without going through https://
www.regulations.gov your e-mail
address will be automatically captured
and included as part of the comment
that is placed in the public docket and
made available on the Internet. If you
submit an electronic comment, EPA
recommends that you include your
name and other contact information in
the body of your comment and with any
disk or CD–ROM you submit. If EPA
cannot read your comment due to
technical difficulties and cannot contact
you for clarification, EPA may not be
able to consider your comment.
Electronic files should avoid the use of
special characters, any form of
encryption, and be free of any defects or
viruses. For additional information
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about EPA’s public docket visit the EPA
Docket Center homepage at https://
www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
Docket: All documents in the docket
are listed in the https://
www.regulations.gov index. Although
listed in the index, some information is
not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other
information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Certain other
material, such as copyrighted material,
will be publicly available only in hard
copy. Publicly available docket
materials are available either
electronically at https://
www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at
the Air and Radiation Docket in the EPA
Docket Center, (EPA/DC) EPA West,
Room B102, 1301 Constitution Ave.,
NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket
Center Public Reading Room is open
from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday, excluding legal
holidays. The telephone number for the
Public Reading Room is 202–566–1744,
and the telephone number for the Air
and Radiation Docket is 202–566–1742.
These documents are also available for
review in hard-copy form at the
following three EPA WIPP informational
docket locations in New Mexico: in
Carlsbad at the Municipal Library,
Hours: Monday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–9
p.m., Friday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.,
and Sunday, 1 p.m.–5 p.m., phone
number: 505–885–0731; in Albuquerque
at the Government Publications
Department, Zimmerman Library,
University of New Mexico, Hours: Vary
by semester, phone number: 505–277–
2003; and in Santa Fe at the New
Mexico State Library, Hours: Monday–
Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., phone number:
505–476–9700. As provided in EPA’s
regulations at 40 CFR part 2, and in
accordance with normal EPA docket
procedures, if copies of any docket
materials are requested, a reasonable fee
may be charged for photocopying.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Rajani Joglekar, Radiation Protection
Division, Center for Federal Regulations,
Mail Code 6608J, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania
Avenue, Washington, DC 20460;
telephone number: 202–343–9601; fax
number: 202–343–2305; e-mail address:
joglekar.rajani@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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I. General Information
A. What Should I Consider as I Prepare
My Comments for EPA?
1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit this
information to EPA through https://
www.regulations.gov or e-mail. Clearly
mark the part or all of the information
that you claim to be CBI. For CBI
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information in a disk or CD ROM that
you mail to EPA, mark the outside of the
disk or CD ROM as CBI and then
identify electronically within the disk or
CD ROM the specific information that is
claimed as CBI. In addition to one
complete version of the comment that
includes information claimed as CBI, a
copy of the comment that does not
contain the information claimed as CBI
must be submitted for inclusion in the
public docket. Information so marked
will not be disclosed except in
accordance with procedures set forth in
40 CFR part 2.
2. Tips for Preparing Your Comments.
When submitting comments, remember
to:
• Identify the rulemaking by docket
number and other identifying
information (subject heading, Federal
Register date and page number).
• Follow directions—The agency may
ask you to respond to specific questions
or organize comments by referencing a
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part
or section number.
• Explain why you agree or disagree;
suggest alternatives and substitute
language for your requested changes.
• Describe any assumptions and
provide any technical information and/
or data that you used.
• If you estimate potential costs or
burdens, explain how you arrived at
your estimate in sufficient detail to
allow for it to be reproduced.
• Provide specific examples to
illustrate your concerns, and suggest
alternatives.
• Explain your views as clearly as
possible, avoiding the use of profanity
or personal threats.
• Make sure to submit your
comments by the comment period
deadline identified.
II. Background
DOE is developing the WIPP near
Carlsbad in southeastern New Mexico as
a deep geologic repository for disposal
of TRU radioactive waste. As defined by
the WIPP Land Withdrawal Act (LWA)
of 1992 (Pub. L. 102–579), as amended
(Pub. L. 104–201), TRU waste consists
of materials containing processes having
atomic numbers greater than 92 (with
half-lives greater than twenty years), in
concentrations greater than 100
nanocuries of alpha-emitting TRU
isotopes per gram of waste. Much of the
existing TRU waste consists of items
contaminated during the production of
nuclear weapons, such as rags,
equipment, tools, and sludges.
On May 13, 1998, EPA announced its
final compliance certification decision
to the Secretary of Energy (published
May 18, 1998, 63 FR 27354). This
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decision stated that the WIPP will
comply with EPA’s radioactive waste
disposal regulations at 40 CFR part 191,
subparts B and C.
The final WIPP certification decision
includes conditions that (1) prohibit
shipment of TRU waste for disposal at
WIPP from any site other than the Los
Alamos National Laboratories (LANL)
until the EPA determines that the site
has established and executed a quality
assurance program, in accordance with
§§ 194.22(a)(2)(i), 194.24(c)(3), and
194.24(c)(5) for waste characterization
activities and assumptions (Condition 2
of Appendix A to 40 CFR part 194); and
(2) (with the exception of specific,
limited waste streams and equipment at
LANL) prohibit shipment of TRU waste
for disposal at WIPP (from LANL or any
other site) until EPA has approved the
procedures developed to comply with
the waste characterization requirements
of § 194.22(c)(4) (Condition 3 of
Appendix A to 40 CFR part 194). The
EPA’s approval process for waste
generator sites is described in § 194.8.
In July 2004, EPA promulgated
changes to the ‘‘Criteria for the
Certification and Recertification of the
Waste Isolation Pilot Plant’s Compliance
with Disposal Regulations’’ (69 FR
42571–42583, July 16, 2004). These
changes went into effect October 14,
2004, which modified the EPA approval
of waste characterization (‘‘WC’’)
programs at DOE’s TRU waste sites.
These revisions provide equivalent or
improved oversight and better
prioritization of technical issues in EPA
inspections to evaluate WC activities at
DOE WIPP waste generator sites, and
also offer more direct public input into
the Agency’s decisions about what
waste can be disposed of at WIPP. They
do not modify the technical approach
that EPA has employed since the 1998
WIPP Certification Decision.
Condition 3 of the WIPP Certification
Decision requires that EPA conduct
independent inspections at DOE’s waste
generator/storage sites of their TRU
waste characterization capabilities
before approving their program and the
waste for disposal at the WIPP. The
revised inspection and approval process
gives EPA greater (a) discretion in
establishing technical priorities, (b)
ability to accommodate variation in the
site’s waste characterization
capabilities, and (c) flexibility in
scheduling site WC inspections. The
§ 194.8 changes require that EPA
conduct a baseline inspection at every
previously approved TRU site (such as
SRS CCP). EPA expects that within two
years after the effective date of October
2004 most of the previously approved
TRU sites (such as Hanford, Los Alamos
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CCP, and Savannah River Site CCP) will
undergo EPA baseline inspections.
Following these inspections, the Agency
will issue a new baseline compliance
decision for these sites.
As part of the baseline inspection,
EPA must evaluate each WC process
component (equipment, procedures, and
personnel training/experience) for its
adequacy and appropriateness in
characterizing TRU waste destined for
the disposal at WIPP. During the
inspection, the site demonstrates its
capabilities to characterize TRU waste(s)
and its ability to comply with the
regulatory limits and tracking
requirements under § 194.24. The
baseline inspection can result in
approval with limitations/conditions or
may require follow-up inspection(s)
before approval. The approval must
specify what subsequent WC program
changes or expansion should be
reported to EPA. The Agency is required
to assign Tier 1 (‘‘TI’’) and Tier 2 (‘‘T2’’)
to the reportable changes depending on
their potential impact on data quality. A
T1 designation requires that the site
must notify EPA of proposed changes to
the approved components of an
individual WC process (such as
radioassay equipment or personnel),
and EPA must also approve the change
before it can be implemented. A WC
element with a T2 designation allows
the site to implement changes to the
approved components of individual WC
processes (such as visual examination
procedures) but requires EPA
notification. The Agency may choose to
inspect the site to evaluate technical
adequacy before approval. EPA
inspections conducted to evaluate T1 or
T2 changes are follow-up inspections
under the authority of § 194.24(h). In
addition to the follow-up inspections, if
warranted, EPA may opt to conduct
continued compliance inspections at
TRU waste sites with a baseline
approval under the authority of
§ 194.24(h).
The revisions to the site inspection
and approval process outlined in § 194.8
require EPA to issue a Federal Register
notice proposing the baseline
compliance decision, docket the
inspection report for public review, and
seek public comment on the proposed
decision for a period of 45 days. The
report must describe the WC processes
EPA inspected at the site, as well as
their compliance with § 194.24
requirements.
III. Proposed Baseline Compliance
Decision
From October 31–November 3, 2005,
EPA performed a baseline inspection of
TRU waste characterization activities of
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the DOE’s CCP staff at SRS (EPA
Inspection No. EPA–SRS–CCP–10.05–
8). This inspection is the second
baseline inspection that EPA has
performed under the § 194.8 regulatory
changes promulgated in July 2004.
The CCP is a mobile characterization
program that assists TRU waste
generator sites with complex waste
characterization activities. At some sites
(such as Los Alamos National
Laboratory and Savannah River Site)
and small TRU waste generator sites
(such as Argonne National Laboratory
and Lawrence Livermore National
Laboratory) the CCP has the sole
responsibility to characterize contacthandled (‘‘CH’’), retrievably-stored TRU
waste destined for the disposal at the
WIPP.
The purpose of EPA’s inspection was
to verify that CCP is characterizing CH
TRU retrievably-stored debris waste
(S5000) and soils/gravel (S4000) from
SRS properly and in compliance with
the regulatory requirements at 40 CFR
194.24. EPA did not evaluate the
characterization of solid waste (S3000)
at this time and will inspect this at a
later date. During the inspection, EPA
also evaluated CCP’s use of the WIPP
Waste Information System (‘‘WWIS’’) for
tracking the contents of CH TRU waste
containers destined for disposal at
WIPP. This tracking ensures that the
volume emplaced in the WIPP
repository and characteristics of the
emplaced wastes conform to the
requirements of the WIPP LWA and the
specific conditions of the WIPP
Certification Decision.
During the inspection, EPA evaluated
the adequacy, implementation, and
effectiveness of SRS–CCP’s waste
characterization activities. The Agency’s
evaluation focused on the individual
components—equipment, procedures,
and personnel training/experience of
the following waste characterization
processes: Acceptable knowledge
(‘‘AK’’), nondestructive assay (‘‘NDA’’),
visual examination techniques (‘‘VET’’),
visual examination/real-time
radiography (‘‘VE/RTR’’), load
management, and the WWIS. The
overall program adequacy and
effectiveness of SRS–CCP was based on
the following DOE-provided upper-tier
documents: (1) CCP–PO–001—Revision
11, 3/10/05—CCP Transuranic Waste
Characterization Quality Assurance
Project Plan and (2) CCP–PO–002—
Revision 12, 3/10/05—CCP Transuranic
Waste Certification Plan.
EPA evaluated the CCP-implemented
waste characterization processes at SRS
for specific CH TRU waste categories, as
follows:
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• Acceptable knowledge (AK) and
load management for contact-handled
(‘‘CH’’) retrievably-stored and newlygenerated TRU debris waste (S5000) and
soil/gravel waste (S4000).
• Visual examination techniques
(‘‘VET’’) for CH newly-generated debris
waste (S5000) and soil/gravel waste
(S4000).
• Visual examination (‘‘VE’’) as a
quality control check of real-time
radiography (‘‘RTR’’) for CH retrievablystored TRU debris waste (S5000) and
soil/gravel waste (S4000).
• RTR for CH retrievably-stored TRU
debris waste (S5000) and soil/gravel
waste (S4000).
• Nondestructive assay (‘‘NDA’’) and
the WIPP Waste Information System
(‘‘WWIS’’) for CH retrievably-stored and
newly-generated TRU debris waste
(S5000) and soil/gravel waste (S4000).
Two NDA systems (Imaging PassiveActive Neutron/Gamma Energy Analysis
[‘‘IPAN/GEA’’] system and the MCS IQ3
gamma system) were evaluated for
characterizing debris (S5000) and soil/
gravel (S4000) wastes.
In addition to reviewing individual
components (namely, procedures, and
equipment) of each of the WC processes
(AK, NDA, VET, VE/RTR, load
management, and the WWIS), the
Agency interviewed and reviewed
training records of personnel
responsible for compiling data,
analyzing waste contents, operating
equipment, and preparing data for
WWIS tracking. EPA also required
radioassay replicate analysis on selected
containers from the population of
previously analyzed waste containers on
the same system or instrument for the
two different waste categories. The
purpose of this replicate testing is to
provide EPA with an independent
means to verify that the radioassay
equipment being assessed for approval
can provide consistent, reproducible
results for the determination of the
quantity of 10 WIPP-tracked
radionuclides (241Am, 137Cs, 238Pu,
239Pu, 240Pu, 242Pu, 90Sr, 233U,
234U, and 238U) as well as TRU alpha
concentration. The results of the
replicate analysis help EPA to
determine whether:
• The instrument produces results
consistent with the reported total
measurement uncertainty (‘‘TMU’’) by
comparing the sample standard
deviation for a number of replicate
measurements taken over several hours
or days to the reported TMU.
• The instrument provides
reproducible results over longer periods
of time, such as weeks or months, by
comparing the results of the replicate
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measurement(s) to the original reported
values.
EPA’s inspection team identified one
finding and five concerns. The one
finding and two of the concerns
required a response from DOE. All
concerns and findings are documented
on EPA Inspection Issue Tracking Forms
(see Attachments C.1 through C.6 of the
baseline Inspection Report available in
the EPA Docket). The Agency received
responses to the one finding and two
concerns which required responses and,
upon further evaluation, concluded that
the responses were adequate. As a
result, there are no open issues resulting
from this inspection.
EPA’s inspection team determined
that SRS–CCP’s WC program activities
were technically adequate. EPA is
proposing to approve the SRS–CCP WC
program in the configuration observed
during this inspection and described in
this report and in the checklists in
Attachment A. This proposed approval
includes the following waste
characterization activities:
(1) The AK and load management
process for CH retrievably-stored TRU
debris and soil/gravel,
(2) The IPAN and IQ3 NDA systems
for assaying soil/gravel and debris
waste,
(3) VE as a QC check of the RTR
process for retrievably-stored soil/gravel
and debris waste,
(4) The VET process for newlygenerated debris and soil/gravel wastes,
(5) The nondestructive examination
process of RTR for retrievably-stored
soil/gravel and debris wastes, and
13595
(6) The WWIS process for tracking of
waste contents of debris and soil/gravel
wastes. As required by the new (194.8
revisions, EPA has assigned specific
‘‘tiers’’ to the different waste
characterization processes. As seen from
the table below, both T1 and T2 changes
are reportable changes. A T1 change
requires EPA approval prior to
implementation of the change and may
require EPA inspection to determine
technical adequacy. A T2 change may
be implemented prior to EPA approval;
however, this type of change must be
reported to EPA quarterly. Any changes
to WC activities from the date of the
baseline inspection must be reported to
and, if applicable, approved by EPA,
according to the following table:
PROPOSED TIERING OF TRU WC PROCESSES IMPLEMENTED BY SRS–CCP
[Based on October 31–November 3, 2005, Baseline Inspection]
SRS–CCP WC process specific T1
changes
SRS–CCP WC process specific T2
changes*
SRS-CCP general T2 changes*
AK including Load
Management.
Any new waste category .....................
Changes to WWIS algorithms specific
to load management.
Changes to site procedures requiring
CBFO approvals and other changes
as discussed in Section 8.1 of this
report.
NDA ...........................
New equipment or physical modifications to approved equipment.**.
Changes to approved calibration
range for approved equipment (see
Section 8.2).
N/A .......................................................
WSPFs, including updates or additions to waste stream(s) within an
approved waste category (see Section 8.1).
Changes in load management status
of approved waste stream(s).
Changes to software for approved
equipment (see Section 8.2).
Changes to operating range(s) upon
CBFO approval.
New equipment or changes to approved equipment.
Changes to site procedures requiring
CBFO approvals and other changes
as discussed in Section 8.3 of this
report.
Changes to site procedures requiring
CBFO approvals and other changes
as discussed in Section 8.4 of this
report.
Changes to site procedures requiring
CBFO approvals and other changes
as discussed in Section 8.5 of this
report.
WC process elements
RTR ...........................
VE and VET ...............
Changes in vendor performing VE
and/or VET.
N/A .......................................................
WWIS .........................
N/A .......................................................
N/A .......................................................
Changes to site procedures requiring
CBFO approvals and other changes
as discussed in Section 8.2 of this
report.
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* Upon receiving EPA approval, SRS–CCP will report all T2 changes to EPA every three months.
** Modifications to approved equipment include all changes with the potential to affect NDA data relative to waste isolation and exclude minor
changes, such as the addition of safety-related equipment.
EPA will notify the public of the
results of its evaluations of proposed T1
and T2 changes through the WIPP
Website and by sending messages via
the WIPP–NEWS e-mail listserv. All T1
changes must be submitted for approval
before their implementation and will be
evaluated by EPA. Upon approval, EPA
will post the results of the evaluations
via the WIPP Website and the WIPP–
NEWS listserv, as described above. The
Agency will post T2 changes
approximately every three months
beginning with the date of EPA’s
approval of the TRU WC program
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implemented at SRS–CCP. EPA expects
the first report of SRS–CCP’s T2 changes
approximately three months from the
date of EPA’s approval of the TRU WC
program implemented at SRS–CCP.
The scope of the proposed site
baseline compliance decision is based
on EPA’s inspection completed on
November 3, 2005. The Agency will not
approve any changes to the SRS–CCP
program until this proposed baseline
approval is finalized. Based on prior
approvals, SRS–CCP is currently
approved to dispose of debris waste
(S5000) at the WIPP. SRS–CCP is
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permitted to continue WC and disposal
of debris waste while EPA evaluates
public comment to this proposed
approval and establishes a final
approval.
IV. Availability of the Baseline
Inspection Report for Public Comment
EPA has placed the report discussing
the results of EPA’s inspection of the
CCP at SRS in the public docket as
described in ADDRESSES. In accordance
with 40 CFR 194.8, EPA is providing the
public 45 days to comment on these
documents. The Agency requests
comments on the tiering designations
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 51 / Thursday, March 16, 2006 / Notices
and the proposed approval decision.
EPA will accept public comment on this
notice and supplemental information as
described in Section 1.B. above. The
EPA will not make a determination of
compliance before the 45-day comment
period ends. At the end of the public
comment period, EPA will evaluate all
relevant public comment and revise the
inspection report as necessary. The
Agency will then issue an approval
letter and the final inspection report,
both of which will be posted on the
WIPP Web site. The letter of approval
will allow CCP to use the approved TRU
waste characterization processes to
characterize TRU waste at SRS.
Information on the certification
decision is filed in the official EPA Air
Docket, Docket No. A–93–02 and is
available for review in Washington, DC,
and at the three EPA WIPP
informational docket locations in New
Mexico (as listed in ADDRESSES). The
dockets in New Mexico contain only
major items from the official Air Docket
in Washington, DC, plus those
documents added to the official Air
Docket since the October 1992
enactment of the WIPP LWA.
Dated: March 9, 2006.
William L. Wehrum,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Air and
Radiation.
[FR Doc. E6–3813 Filed 3–15–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION
[Docket No. 06–04]
wwhite on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES
Revocation of Licenses for Failure To
Comply With the Financial
Responsibility Requirements of the
Shipping Act of 1984; Order To Show
Cause
Since enactment of the Shipping Act
of 1984 (‘‘1984 Act’’), 46 U.S.C. app.
§§ 1701–1721, section 19 1 of the statute
set forth the licensing and bonding
requirements applicable to ocean freight
forwarders, while section 23 of the 1984
Act established separate bonding
requirements for non-vessel-operating
common carriers (‘‘NVOCCs’’). Effective
May 1, 1999, the 1984 Act was modified
and updated by the passage of the
Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998
(‘‘OSRA’’), Public Law 105–258, 112
Stat. 1902. OSRA delineated a new
category of regulated the entities called
an ocean transportation intermediary
(‘‘OTI’’), defined to include both freight
forwarders and NVOCCs. While
continuing the statutory requirements of
1 46
U.S.C. app. 1718 (1984).
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:48 Mar 15, 2006
Jkt 208001
the 1984 Act that all OTIs submit a
surety bond as proof of financial
responsibility, a revised section 19 for
the first time required that NVOCCs
operating in the United States be
licensed by the Federal Maritime
Commission (‘‘Commission’’).
Concurrent with the effective date of
OSRA, the Commission prescribed new
regulations at 46 CFR Part 515
(Licensing, Financial Responsibility
Requirements, and General Duties for
Ocean Transportation Intermediaries),
implementing those revisions to the
1984 Act with respect to OTI licensing
and financial responsibility (64 FR
11156, March 8, 1999). The
Commission’s OTI regulations specify
that each OTI must establish its
financial responsibility by furnishing
the Commission a surety bond, evidence
of insurance or evidence of guaranty to
provide coverage for damages,
reparations or penalties arising from the
OTI’s transportation-related activities.
See 46 CFR 515.22. In the case of surety
bonds, the regulations specify that such
bonds must be issued by a surety
company found acceptable by the
Secretary of the Treasury. 46 CFR
515.22(a).2
By notice issued June 23, 2003, the
Department of Treasury terminated the
Certificate of Authority issued to
American Motorists Insurance
Company, which had qualified that
company as an acceptable surety on
Federal bonds. Under the Treasury
program, bonds that are continuous in
nature remain valid and effective for the
purposes issued, but may no longer be
renewed. Commencing with the
anniversary date of such termination,
OTIs holding surety bonds issued by
American Motorists Insurance Company
were obligated to replace their OTI bond
with a valid bond issued by a surety
company currently certified by
Treasury.
Contacts by Commission staff over an
extended period have resulted in
licensees voluntarily furnishing
replacement evidence of financial
responsibility with respect to all but 21
of the licensees previously covered by
American Motorists Insurance Company
bonds. In October and November 2005,
the Commission contacted the licensees
by phone and by formal letter, notifying
each remaining licensee that continued
failure to comply with bonding
requirements placed them at risk of
license revocation or other action to
suspend such OTI’s right to continue
2 The Department of Treasury maintains an
extensive list of approved surety bonding
companies, known as Circular 570. Circular 570 is
published on Treasury’s Web site at:https://
www.fms.treas.gov/c570/.
PO 00000
Frm 00031
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
operations in the U.S. trades. Following
direct notice to the affected parties and
an extended period to bring themselves
into compliance, it appears that the 8
OTIs listed in the attached Schedule A
no longer meet the requirements for
demonstrating financial responsibility
imposed by section 19 of the 1984 Act.
Now therefore, it is ordered that
pursuant to section 11 of the Shipping
Act of 1984, 46 U.S.C. app. 1710, the
entities listed in Schedule A to this
Order are directed to show cause why
the Commission should not revoke their
licenses for failure to comply with
section 19 of the Shipping Act of 1984,
46 U.S.C. app. 1718, as amended, and
46 CFR 515.22(a).
It is further ordered that pursuant to
section 11 of the Shipping Act of 1984,
the entities listed in Schedule A to this
Order are directed to show cause why
the Commission should not order each
of them to cease and desist from
operating as an ocean transportation
intermediary in the foreign trade of the
United States, for failure to comply with
section 19 of the Shipping Act of 1984,
as amended, and 46 CFR Part 515;
It is further ordered that this
proceeding is limited to the submission
of affidavits of facts and memoranda of
law;
It is further ordered that any person
having an interest and desiring to
intervene in this proceeding shall file a
petition for leave to intervene in
accordance with Rule 72 of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and
Procedure, 46 CFR 502.72. Such petition
shall be accompanied by the petitioner’s
memorandum of law and affidavits of
fact, if any, and shall be filed no later
than the day fixed below;
It is further ordered that the entities
listed in Schedule A to this Order are
named as Respondents in this
proceeding. Affidavits of fact and
memoranda of law shall be filed by
Respondents and any intervenors in
support of Respondents no later than
April 17, 2006;
It is further ordered that the
Commission’s Bureau of Enforcement be
made a party to this proceeding;
It is further ordered that reply
affidavits and memoranda of law shall
be filed by the Bureau of Enforcement
and any intervenors in opposition to
Respondents no later than May 17,
2006;
It is further ordered that rebuttal
affidavits and memoranda of law shall
be filed by Respondents and intervenors
in support no later than June 1, 2006;
It is further ordered that:
(a) Should any party believe that an
evidentiary hearing is required, that
party must submit a request for such
E:\FR\FM\16MRN1.SGM
16MRN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 51 (Thursday, March 16, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13592-13596]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-3813]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OAR-2006-0094; FRL-8045-6]
Proposed Approval of Central Characterization Project's
Transuranic Waste Characterization Program at the Savannah River Site
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Notice of availability; opening of public comment period.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (``EPA'' or ``we'') is
announcing the availability of, and soliciting public comments for 45
days on, the proposed approval of the waste characterization program
implemented by the Central Characterization Project (``CCP'') to
characterize transuranic (``TRU'') radioactive waste at the Savannah
River Site (SRS) proposed for disposal at the Waste Isolation Pilot
Plant (``WIPP''). In accordance with the WIPP Compliance Criteria, EPA
evaluated the CCP's characterization of TRU debris waste and soils/
gravel from SRS during an inspection conducted October 31-November 3,
2005. Using the systems and processes developed as part of the
Department of Energy's (``DOE's'') Carlsbad Field Office (``CBFO'')
CCP, EPA verified whether DOE could adequately characterize TRU waste
consistent with the Compliance Criteria. The results of EPA's
evaluation of the SRS CCP program and the proposed approval are
described in EPA's inspection report, which is available for review in
the public dockets listed in ADDRESSES. We will consider public
comments received on or before the due date mentioned in DATES.
This notice summarizes the waste characterization processes EPA
evaluated, the ``tier'' EPA assigned to each waste characterization
process component, and the TRU waste categories proposed for approval.
As required by the 40 CFR 194.8 changes promulgated in July 2004, at
the end of a 45-day comment period EPA will evaluate public comments
received, finalize the report responding to the relevant public
comments, and issue the final report and an approval letter to DOE's
Carlsbad Field Office. Waste that is characterized by the SRS CCP is
not eligible for disposal at WIPP until EPA formally grants its
approval.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 1, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2006-0094, by one of the following methods:
https://www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line
instructions for submitting comments.
E-mail: to a-and-r-docket@epa.gov.
Fax: 202-566-1741.
Mail: Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center,
Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode: 6102T, 1200 Pennsylvania
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460.
Instructions: Direct your comments to Attn: Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OAR-2006-0094. The Agency's policy is that all comments received will
be included in the public docket without change and may be made
available online at https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal
information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed
to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information
that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through https://
www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The https://www.regulations.gov Web site
is an ``anonymous access'' system, which means EPA will not know your
identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of
your comment. If you send an e-mail comment directly to EPA without
going through https://www.regulations.gov your e-mail address will be
automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is
placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you
submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name
and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any
disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to
technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA
may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid
the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of
any defects or viruses. For additional information
[[Page 13593]]
about EPA's public docket visit the EPA Docket Center homepage at
https://www.epa.gov/epahome/dockets.htm.
Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the https://
www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some
information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such
as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy.
Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically
at https://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Air and Radiation
Docket in the EPA Docket Center, (EPA/DC) EPA West, Room B102, 1301
Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center Public
Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through
Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public
Reading Room is 202-566-1744, and the telephone number for the Air and
Radiation Docket is 202-566-1742. These documents are also available
for review in hard-copy form at the following three EPA WIPP
informational docket locations in New Mexico: in Carlsbad at the
Municipal Library, Hours: Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-
Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m., phone number: 505-
885-0731; in Albuquerque at the Government Publications Department,
Zimmerman Library, University of New Mexico, Hours: Vary by semester,
phone number: 505-277-2003; and in Santa Fe at the New Mexico State
Library, Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., phone number: 505-476-
9700. As provided in EPA's regulations at 40 CFR part 2, and in
accordance with normal EPA docket procedures, if copies of any docket
materials are requested, a reasonable fee may be charged for
photocopying.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rajani Joglekar, Radiation Protection
Division, Center for Federal Regulations, Mail Code 6608J, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington,
DC 20460; telephone number: 202-343-9601; fax number: 202-343-2305; e-
mail address: joglekar.rajani@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
A. What Should I Consider as I Prepare My Comments for EPA?
1. Submitting CBI. Do not submit this information to EPA through
https://www.regulations.gov or e-mail. Clearly mark the part or all of
the information that you claim to be CBI. For CBI information in a disk
or CD ROM that you mail to EPA, mark the outside of the disk or CD ROM
as CBI and then identify electronically within the disk or CD ROM the
specific information that is claimed as CBI. In addition to one
complete version of the comment that includes information claimed as
CBI, a copy of the comment that does not contain the information
claimed as CBI must be submitted for inclusion in the public docket.
Information so marked will not be disclosed except in accordance with
procedures set forth in 40 CFR part 2.
2. Tips for Preparing Your Comments. When submitting comments,
remember to:
Identify the rulemaking by docket number and other
identifying information (subject heading, Federal Register date and
page number).
Follow directions--The agency may ask you to respond to
specific questions or organize comments by referencing a Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR) part or section number.
Explain why you agree or disagree; suggest alternatives
and substitute language for your requested changes.
Describe any assumptions and provide any technical
information and/or data that you used.
If you estimate potential costs or burdens, explain how
you arrived at your estimate in sufficient detail to allow for it to be
reproduced.
Provide specific examples to illustrate your concerns, and
suggest alternatives.
Explain your views as clearly as possible, avoiding the
use of profanity or personal threats.
Make sure to submit your comments by the comment period
deadline identified.
II. Background
DOE is developing the WIPP near Carlsbad in southeastern New Mexico
as a deep geologic repository for disposal of TRU radioactive waste. As
defined by the WIPP Land Withdrawal Act (LWA) of 1992 (Pub. L. 102-
579), as amended (Pub. L. 104-201), TRU waste consists of materials
containing processes having atomic numbers greater than 92 (with half-
lives greater than twenty years), in concentrations greater than 100
nanocuries of alpha-emitting TRU isotopes per gram of waste. Much of
the existing TRU waste consists of items contaminated during the
production of nuclear weapons, such as rags, equipment, tools, and
sludges.
On May 13, 1998, EPA announced its final compliance certification
decision to the Secretary of Energy (published May 18, 1998, 63 FR
27354). This decision stated that the WIPP will comply with EPA's
radioactive waste disposal regulations at 40 CFR part 191, subparts B
and C.
The final WIPP certification decision includes conditions that (1)
prohibit shipment of TRU waste for disposal at WIPP from any site other
than the Los Alamos National Laboratories (LANL) until the EPA
determines that the site has established and executed a quality
assurance program, in accordance with Sec. Sec. 194.22(a)(2)(i),
194.24(c)(3), and 194.24(c)(5) for waste characterization activities
and assumptions (Condition 2 of Appendix A to 40 CFR part 194); and (2)
(with the exception of specific, limited waste streams and equipment at
LANL) prohibit shipment of TRU waste for disposal at WIPP (from LANL or
any other site) until EPA has approved the procedures developed to
comply with the waste characterization requirements of Sec.
194.22(c)(4) (Condition 3 of Appendix A to 40 CFR part 194). The EPA's
approval process for waste generator sites is described in Sec. 194.8.
In July 2004, EPA promulgated changes to the ``Criteria for the
Certification and Recertification of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant's
Compliance with Disposal Regulations'' (69 FR 42571-42583, July 16,
2004). These changes went into effect October 14, 2004, which modified
the EPA approval of waste characterization (``WC'') programs at DOE's
TRU waste sites. These revisions provide equivalent or improved
oversight and better prioritization of technical issues in EPA
inspections to evaluate WC activities at DOE WIPP waste generator
sites, and also offer more direct public input into the Agency's
decisions about what waste can be disposed of at WIPP. They do not
modify the technical approach that EPA has employed since the 1998 WIPP
Certification Decision.
Condition 3 of the WIPP Certification Decision requires that EPA
conduct independent inspections at DOE's waste generator/storage sites
of their TRU waste characterization capabilities before approving their
program and the waste for disposal at the WIPP. The revised inspection
and approval process gives EPA greater (a) discretion in establishing
technical priorities, (b) ability to accommodate variation in the
site's waste characterization capabilities, and (c) flexibility in
scheduling site WC inspections. The Sec. 194.8 changes require that
EPA conduct a baseline inspection at every previously approved TRU site
(such as SRS CCP). EPA expects that within two years after the
effective date of October 2004 most of the previously approved TRU
sites (such as Hanford, Los Alamos
[[Page 13594]]
CCP, and Savannah River Site CCP) will undergo EPA baseline
inspections. Following these inspections, the Agency will issue a new
baseline compliance decision for these sites.
As part of the baseline inspection, EPA must evaluate each WC
process component (equipment, procedures, and personnel training/
experience) for its adequacy and appropriateness in characterizing TRU
waste destined for the disposal at WIPP. During the inspection, the
site demonstrates its capabilities to characterize TRU waste(s) and its
ability to comply with the regulatory limits and tracking requirements
under Sec. 194.24. The baseline inspection can result in approval with
limitations/conditions or may require follow-up inspection(s) before
approval. The approval must specify what subsequent WC program changes
or expansion should be reported to EPA. The Agency is required to
assign Tier 1 (``TI'') and Tier 2 (``T2'') to the reportable changes
depending on their potential impact on data quality. A T1 designation
requires that the site must notify EPA of proposed changes to the
approved components of an individual WC process (such as radioassay
equipment or personnel), and EPA must also approve the change before it
can be implemented. A WC element with a T2 designation allows the site
to implement changes to the approved components of individual WC
processes (such as visual examination procedures) but requires EPA
notification. The Agency may choose to inspect the site to evaluate
technical adequacy before approval. EPA inspections conducted to
evaluate T1 or T2 changes are follow-up inspections under the authority
of Sec. 194.24(h). In addition to the follow-up inspections, if
warranted, EPA may opt to conduct continued compliance inspections at
TRU waste sites with a baseline approval under the authority of Sec.
194.24(h).
The revisions to the site inspection and approval process outlined
in Sec. 194.8 require EPA to issue a Federal Register notice proposing
the baseline compliance decision, docket the inspection report for
public review, and seek public comment on the proposed decision for a
period of 45 days. The report must describe the WC processes EPA
inspected at the site, as well as their compliance with Sec. 194.24
requirements.
III. Proposed Baseline Compliance Decision
From October 31-November 3, 2005, EPA performed a baseline
inspection of TRU waste characterization activities of the DOE's CCP
staff at SRS (EPA Inspection No. EPA-SRS-CCP-10.05-8). This inspection
is the second baseline inspection that EPA has performed under the
Sec. 194.8 regulatory changes promulgated in July 2004.
The CCP is a mobile characterization program that assists TRU waste
generator sites with complex waste characterization activities. At some
sites (such as Los Alamos National Laboratory and Savannah River Site)
and small TRU waste generator sites (such as Argonne National
Laboratory and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory) the CCP has the
sole responsibility to characterize contact-handled (``CH''),
retrievably-stored TRU waste destined for the disposal at the WIPP.
The purpose of EPA's inspection was to verify that CCP is
characterizing CH TRU retrievably-stored debris waste (S5000) and
soils/gravel (S4000) from SRS properly and in compliance with the
regulatory requirements at 40 CFR 194.24. EPA did not evaluate the
characterization of solid waste (S3000) at this time and will inspect
this at a later date. During the inspection, EPA also evaluated CCP's
use of the WIPP Waste Information System (``WWIS'') for tracking the
contents of CH TRU waste containers destined for disposal at WIPP. This
tracking ensures that the volume emplaced in the WIPP repository and
characteristics of the emplaced wastes conform to the requirements of
the WIPP LWA and the specific conditions of the WIPP Certification
Decision.
During the inspection, EPA evaluated the adequacy, implementation,
and effectiveness of SRS-CCP's waste characterization activities. The
Agency's evaluation focused on the individual components--equipment,
procedures, and personnel training/experience of the following waste
characterization processes: Acceptable knowledge (``AK''),
nondestructive assay (``NDA''), visual examination techniques
(``VET''), visual examination/real-time radiography (``VE/RTR''), load
management, and the WWIS. The overall program adequacy and
effectiveness of SRS-CCP was based on the following DOE-provided upper-
tier documents: (1) CCP-PO-001--Revision 11, 3/10/05--CCP Transuranic
Waste Characterization Quality Assurance Project Plan and (2) CCP-PO-
002--Revision 12, 3/10/05--CCP Transuranic Waste Certification Plan.
EPA evaluated the CCP-implemented waste characterization processes
at SRS for specific CH TRU waste categories, as follows:
Acceptable knowledge (AK) and load management for contact-
handled (``CH'') retrievably-stored and newly-generated TRU debris
waste (S5000) and soil/gravel waste (S4000).
Visual examination techniques (``VET'') for CH newly-
generated debris waste (S5000) and soil/gravel waste (S4000).
Visual examination (``VE'') as a quality control check of
real-time radiography (``RTR'') for CH retrievably-stored TRU debris
waste (S5000) and soil/gravel waste (S4000).
RTR for CH retrievably-stored TRU debris waste (S5000) and
soil/gravel waste (S4000).
Nondestructive assay (``NDA'') and the WIPP Waste
Information System (``WWIS'') for CH retrievably-stored and newly-
generated TRU debris waste (S5000) and soil/gravel waste (S4000).
Two NDA systems (Imaging Passive-Active Neutron/Gamma Energy
Analysis [``IPAN/GEA''] system and the MCS IQ3 gamma system) were
evaluated for characterizing debris (S5000) and soil/gravel (S4000)
wastes.
In addition to reviewing individual components (namely, procedures,
and equipment) of each of the WC processes (AK, NDA, VET, VE/RTR, load
management, and the WWIS), the Agency interviewed and reviewed training
records of personnel responsible for compiling data, analyzing waste
contents, operating equipment, and preparing data for WWIS tracking.
EPA also required radioassay replicate analysis on selected containers
from the population of previously analyzed waste containers on the same
system or instrument for the two different waste categories. The
purpose of this replicate testing is to provide EPA with an independent
means to verify that the radioassay equipment being assessed for
approval can provide consistent, reproducible results for the
determination of the quantity of 10 WIPP-tracked radionuclides (241Am,
137Cs, 238Pu, 239Pu, 240Pu, 242Pu, 90Sr, 233U, 234U, and 238U) as well
as TRU alpha concentration. The results of the replicate analysis help
EPA to determine whether:
The instrument produces results consistent with the
reported total measurement uncertainty (``TMU'') by comparing the
sample standard deviation for a number of replicate measurements taken
over several hours or days to the reported TMU.
The instrument provides reproducible results over longer
periods of time, such as weeks or months, by comparing the results of
the replicate
[[Page 13595]]
measurement(s) to the original reported values.
EPA's inspection team identified one finding and five concerns. The
one finding and two of the concerns required a response from DOE. All
concerns and findings are documented on EPA Inspection Issue Tracking
Forms (see Attachments C.1 through C.6 of the baseline Inspection
Report available in the EPA Docket). The Agency received responses to
the one finding and two concerns which required responses and, upon
further evaluation, concluded that the responses were adequate. As a
result, there are no open issues resulting from this inspection.
EPA's inspection team determined that SRS-CCP's WC program
activities were technically adequate. EPA is proposing to approve the
SRS-CCP WC program in the configuration observed during this inspection
and described in this report and in the checklists in Attachment A.
This proposed approval includes the following waste characterization
activities:
(1) The AK and load management process for CH retrievably-stored
TRU debris and soil/gravel,
(2) The IPAN and IQ3 NDA systems for assaying soil/gravel and
debris waste,
(3) VE as a QC check of the RTR process for retrievably-stored
soil/gravel and debris waste,
(4) The VET process for newly-generated debris and soil/gravel
wastes,
(5) The nondestructive examination process of RTR for retrievably-
stored soil/gravel and debris wastes, and
(6) The WWIS process for tracking of waste contents of debris and
soil/gravel wastes. As required by the new (194.8 revisions, EPA has
assigned specific ``tiers'' to the different waste characterization
processes. As seen from the table below, both T1 and T2 changes are
reportable changes. A T1 change requires EPA approval prior to
implementation of the change and may require EPA inspection to
determine technical adequacy. A T2 change may be implemented prior to
EPA approval; however, this type of change must be reported to EPA
quarterly. Any changes to WC activities from the date of the baseline
inspection must be reported to and, if applicable, approved by EPA,
according to the following table:
Proposed Tiering of TRU WC Processes Implemented by SRS-CCP
[Based on October 31-November 3, 2005, Baseline Inspection]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SRS-CCP WC process SRS-CCP WC process SRS-CCP general T2
WC process elements specific T1 changes specific T2 changes* changes*
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK including Load Management....... Any new waste category.. WSPFs, including updates Changes to site
Changes to WWIS or additions to waste procedures requiring
algorithms specific to stream(s) within an CBFO approvals and
load management. approved waste category other changes as
(see Section 8.1). discussed in Section
Changes in load 8.1 of this report.
management status of
approved waste
stream(s).
NDA................................ New equipment or Changes to software for Changes to site
physical modifications approved equipment (see procedures requiring
to approved Section 8.2). CBFO approvals and
equipment.**. Changes to operating other changes as
Changes to approved range(s) upon CBFO discussed in Section
calibration range for approval. 8.2 of this report.
approved equipment (see
Section 8.2).
RTR................................ N/A..................... New equipment or changes Changes to site
to approved equipment. procedures requiring
CBFO approvals and
other changes as
discussed in Section
8.3 of this report.
VE and VET......................... Changes in vendor N/A..................... Changes to site
performing VE and/or procedures requiring
VET. CBFO approvals and
other changes as
discussed in Section
8.4 of this report.
WWIS............................... N/A..................... N/A..................... Changes to site
procedures requiring
CBFO approvals and
other changes as
discussed in Section
8.5 of this report.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Upon receiving EPA approval, SRS-CCP will report all T2 changes to EPA every three months.
** Modifications to approved equipment include all changes with the potential to affect NDA data relative to
waste isolation and exclude minor changes, such as the addition of safety-related equipment.
EPA will notify the public of the results of its evaluations of
proposed T1 and T2 changes through the WIPP Website and by sending
messages via the WIPP-NEWS e-mail listserv. All T1 changes must be
submitted for approval before their implementation and will be
evaluated by EPA. Upon approval, EPA will post the results of the
evaluations via the WIPP Website and the WIPP-NEWS listserv, as
described above. The Agency will post T2 changes approximately every
three months beginning with the date of EPA's approval of the TRU WC
program implemented at SRS-CCP. EPA expects the first report of SRS-
CCP's T2 changes approximately three months from the date of EPA's
approval of the TRU WC program implemented at SRS-CCP.
The scope of the proposed site baseline compliance decision is
based on EPA's inspection completed on November 3, 2005. The Agency
will not approve any changes to the SRS-CCP program until this proposed
baseline approval is finalized. Based on prior approvals, SRS-CCP is
currently approved to dispose of debris waste (S5000) at the WIPP. SRS-
CCP is permitted to continue WC and disposal of debris waste while EPA
evaluates public comment to this proposed approval and establishes a
final approval.
IV. Availability of the Baseline Inspection Report for Public Comment
EPA has placed the report discussing the results of EPA's
inspection of the CCP at SRS in the public docket as described in
ADDRESSES. In accordance with 40 CFR 194.8, EPA is providing the public
45 days to comment on these documents. The Agency requests comments on
the tiering designations
[[Page 13596]]
and the proposed approval decision. EPA will accept public comment on
this notice and supplemental information as described in Section 1.B.
above. The EPA will not make a determination of compliance before the
45-day comment period ends. At the end of the public comment period,
EPA will evaluate all relevant public comment and revise the inspection
report as necessary. The Agency will then issue an approval letter and
the final inspection report, both of which will be posted on the WIPP
Web site. The letter of approval will allow CCP to use the approved TRU
waste characterization processes to characterize TRU waste at SRS.
Information on the certification decision is filed in the official
EPA Air Docket, Docket No. A-93-02 and is available for review in
Washington, DC, and at the three EPA WIPP informational docket
locations in New Mexico (as listed in ADDRESSES). The dockets in New
Mexico contain only major items from the official Air Docket in
Washington, DC, plus those documents added to the official Air Docket
since the October 1992 enactment of the WIPP LWA.
Dated: March 9, 2006.
William L. Wehrum,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation.
[FR Doc. E6-3813 Filed 3-15-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
