Determination of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant's Compliance With Applicable Federal Environmental Laws for the Period October 1994- 1996

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-5878-2]

Determination of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant's Compliance

With Applicable Federal Environmental Laws for the Period October 1994-

1996

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that,

for the period October 1994 to October 1996, the Waste Isolation Pilot

Plant (WIPP), which is operated by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE),

was in compliance with the pertinent Federal statutes and regulations

designated in section 9(a)(1) of the 1992 Land Withdrawal Act, as

amended. The Secretary of Energy was notified of the determination via

letter from EPA Administrator Carol M. Browner dated August 14, 1997.

This determination was made under the authority of Section 9 of the

amended WIPP Land Withdrawal Act. (Pub. L. Nos. 102-579 and 104-201.)

Section 9 requires the Administrator of EPA to determine on a biennial

basis, following the submittal of documentation of compliance by the

Secretary of DOE, whether the WIPP is in compliance with EPA's

standards for the management and storage of radioactive waste (40 CFR

part 191, subpart A), the Clean Air Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act,

the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Comprehensive Environmental

Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, and all other applicable

Federal laws protecting public health and safety or the environment.

This determination applies to WIPP's compliance with these laws during

the period October 1994 to October 1996.

This determination is not directly related to, nor is it a part of,

EPA's certification decision regarding whether the WIPP complies with

the disposal standards for transuranic radioactive waste (40 CFR part

191). The certification decision will be accomplished through a

separate rulemaking pursuant to the standards and procedures mandated

by section 553 of the Administrative Procedure Act, and in accordance

with EPA's WIPP compliance certification criteria regulations at 40 CFR

part 194. (61 FR 58499, November 15, 1996.)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Monroe; telephone number: 202-

233-9310; address: Radiation Protection Division, Mail Code 6602J, U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC 20460.

Dated: August 14, 1997.

Carol M. Browner,

Administrator.

[FR Doc. 97-22072 Filed 8-19-97; 8:45 am]

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