Document KBnyOgjvN6ZLe1az1pX2w7ax

interoffice MEMORANDUM Subject Date 2U January 1977 SEE BELOW To DISTRIBUTION From A. J. Digllo DISTFIBCTIOir : J. H. Arnold D. F. Balter J J Bellker J. T. Barr C. E. Blades B. B. Bradd F. L. T. Brian C. E. Callicott T. L* Carey J. P. Casey M. R. Chnura J. L. Cost A. D. Dyer E. Donley F. B. remtngel (Location. Organization, or 0*t>artmnt) Trexlertown (Location, organization, or Otpirttn.nt 1 R. Flaming C. E. Fryman 0. D. Grab A. B. Greene D. R. Bartter V. Eoge B. L. Jaffe R. E. Jones D. C. Keehss j. D. Kramer R. G. Kuni R. Lomicky J. R. Lovett J, 8. Maerkar J. B. MeEvoy C. McKinley A. K. McMillan T. J. Medovich H. A, Quigley W. Rector F. J. Ryan J. A. Saner W. J. Scbarle R. 3. Schenck J. M. Scigliano W. K. Smith R. M. Tozar H. L. Watson J. T. Wharton J. White Attached for your information is: 1) EPA Revs Release Summary for December 1976. 2) EPA newsletter - Solids Disposal 3) MCA concise explanation and compliance plan for the Toxic Substance Control Act. DMW/ ATTACH. A. J. DIGLtO {320) AP00036920 UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACC WASHINGTON. O.C. 204*0 0>nCI>L IU9INIII PINAL TV F PRIV4TI VII tHO AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER POET44 40 PEES PAID U.E. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ASIMOV CPA-Ill gP 4-QP*77 115 4 J DIGLtO BOX 538 . i I ri.TnUki P 075107750006 001 18105 JUA V AJL 9J111. Casey (202) 755-0344 FOR USE UPON RECEIPT EPA LISTS DECEMBER 1976 NEWS RELEASES Following is a list of the news releases issued by the Environmental Protection Agency during the month of December / . 1976. The releases are listed chronologically, by exact title. A capsule description of the information contained in each release is given, along with the last name of the individual who may be contacted for further information. To obtain copies please write to the EPA News Services Division, A-107, 401 M Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20460. December 2 - EPA TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING ON IMPLEMENTATION OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT -- The meeting was held December 14 and 15 in Washington to discuss policy issues relevant to the implementation of the new Toxic Substances Control Act. (Haughton) December 2 - EPA BEGINS RISK/BENEFIT INQUIRY ON STRYCHNINE. "1080" AND TWO OTHER RODENT AND BIRD PESTICIDES -- Public views will as1st EPA in deciding on the cancellation of some or all uses of the pesticides. (O'Neill) December 2 - EPA RELEASES RADIATION IN MILK DATA.-- EPA's Environ mental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System reports its findings of radioactivity in milk samples resulting from the November 17 China nuclear explosion. (Casey) (more) R*tu,n lh>t titeet if you o NOT w>oh o roeoav* ihio motonal Q, or if change of additto it natdod (Indicate change, including (Ip eedo). tPA WORM 1*1*1 (REV. *72) R-10 1 AP0003692I 2- - _L -1 December 3 - EPA TO DEVELOP REGULATIONS TO CONTROL CHLOROFLUORO- CARBONS -- Russell E. Train announced that the Agency will " develop, by April 1977, proposed regulations to control non- essential aerosol uses of F-ll, F-12 and other chlorofluoro- carbons. (Haughton) December 8 - MEYERS EXPLAINS NSW RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND RECOVERY ACT - The new Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, for the first time, gives EPA limited authority over the disposal of wastes on the land. (Sibbison) December 8 - NEW EPA DATA SHOWS SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT IN AMERICA'S AIR -- New EPA study, National Air Quality and Emissions Trends Report, 1977 shows America has made meaningful progress in cleaning up-its air. (Ryan) December 8 -,EPA PROPOSES GUIDELINES TO REDUCE HUMAN LUNG IRRITANT -- EPA proposes air pollution guidelines and compliance times for States to control sulfuric acid mist emissions from existing pro duction plants, (Ryan) December 8 - TRAIN GRANTS PETITION FOR REVIEW OF SEABROOK DECISION -- Russell Train granted apetition for review of an adjudicatory decision concerning terms for a permit for thermal discharges of the proposed Seabrook-nuclear power plant in New Hampshire. (Casey - Acly) December 8 - EPA REPORT REFLECTS GROWING CONCERN FOR NATION'S DIMINISHING WETLANDS -- EPA publishes a comprehensive report titled, "Impacts of Construction Activities in Wetlands of the United States." Publication I - 600/3-76-045. Available from the P.ublic Afrairs Office, Corvallis Environmental Research Laboratory, Corvalli**. Oregon, Telephone: (503) 757-4600. (Acly) December 9 - EPA HOLDS DECEMBER 16 PUBLIC MEETING ON NEW SOLID WASTE LEGISLATION -- EPA asks representatives of environmental, industrial, governmental organizations and the general public to give their views and suggestions for implementing the new legislation. (Sibbison) December 9 - EPA REPORTS DECLINE IN OCEAN DUMPING OF INDUSTRIAL WASTES -- The study summarizes EPA actions taken during 1975 to regulate ocean disposal activities and highlights the Agency's efforts to reduce the amount of sewage sludge dumped in Atlantic Waters. (Acly) December 9 - TRAIN REQUESTS MODIFICATION OF CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY OCEAN DUMPING ORDER -- Russell Train issued an emergency ocean dumping permit fox sewage sludge from the City of Camden, New Jersey. (Acly) R-10 (more) I AP00036922 -3- December 10 - CHRYSLER ORDERED TO RECALL 208,000 GARS -- The recall of the 1975 model cars with the 360 and 400 cubic inch displacement engines was based on carburetor misadjustments which have resulted in excess emissions of carbon monoxide. (Rice) December 13 - NEW LAW TO CONTROL HAZARDOUS WASTES , END OPEN DUMPING, PROMOTE* CONSERVATION OF "RESOURCES -- The handling and disposal of hazardous"wastes"and open dumping of all solid wastes will come under Federal/State regulation and will be brought to an end by 1983. (Sibbison) December 13 - EPA HONORS EMPLOYEES AT SIXTH ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY. (Casey} December 13 - EPA PROPOSES NEW POLICY ON LOCAL INITIATIVES TO CONTROL NOISE -- EPA proposes" policy for Federal approval^of local ordinances designed to control noise caused by trucks and interstate railroads. (Sibbison) December 14 - EPA GRANT AWARDS TOTAL $129.5 MILLION IN OCTOBER. (Acly) December 15 - EPA MAKES AVAILABLE ITS COMMENTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS FOR SEPTEMBER 1-30/1976. (Casey) " December 16 - U.S. RECORD ON ENERGY CONSERVATION "A DISASTROUS FAILURE," TRAIN SAYS -- "A disastrous failure of national wiXI" in the area of energy conservation is responsible for our steadily increasing dependence upon foreign oil." (O'Neill) December 20 - EPA ANNOUNCES POLICY ON INDUSTRIAL GROWTH IN POLLUTED AREAS -- Russell Train" announced an '^emissions offset" ruling which permits industrial growth in polluted areas of the country only when the net effect is air quality improvement. (Ryan) December 21 - EPA PRAISES FPC ON DECISION REGARDING FINANCING OF ELECTRIC UTILITY POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT -- Train says FPC's decision to allow expenditures for pollution control equipment at power plants to be included in the rate base "will make it easier for companies to finance pollution control equip ment such as scrubbers and precipitators." (Rice) December 21 - EPA APPROVES LEASING OF LAND FOR SEWAGE TREATMENT A new Agency policy may lead to an increase in the number of sewagg^traatment plants which apply sewage directly to the land part of the treatment process. (Acly) December 21 - NEW TOXIC SUBSTANCES INDUSTRIAL LIAISON NAMED BY % EPA -- Mr. John B. Ritch was appointed Special Assistant for Industrial'Liaison in tJPA's Toxic Substances Control Program. 'Neill) R-10 (moret AP00036923 -4- December 21 - TENTATIVE LIST OF AGRICULTURAL PESTICIDES THAT ARE CANDIDATES^FOR RESTRICTED USE ISSUED BY EPA -- Under the 1972 Federal pesticides law, the application of restricted use pesti cides will be limited only to certified applicators or persons working under their supervision. The program takes effect October 21, 1977. (O'Neill) December 22 - GM AGREES TO PONTIAC RECALL -- GM agrees to recall half a million-Hr74"Pontiacs with v-8 engines to correct a de fect ir. the emission control system. (Rice) December 22 - epa Announces plan to regulate POLLUTiotTTRSfrr'^ SYNTHETIC ORGANIC CHEMICAL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY -- EPA will study the synthetic organic chemical manufacturing industry in ' order to develop regulations limiting air pollution from chemical^ used in plastics, pesticides, fibers, pharmaceuticals and other technologies. (Rice) _________ _________ _______ -- December 27 - EPA ISSUES MONITORING REPORT ON CHINESE RADIATION CLOUD --- EPA says fallout from tha September 26, 1976 detonation of"a nuclear device by China will result in limited health effects for the population of the U.S. (Casey) December 23 - LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS TO FACE TOUGHER POLLUTION STANDARDS -- EPA announced final regulations expanding the-class of light duty trucks and imposing more stringent pollution standards for 1979 and later model trucks in the new light duty truck class. (Rice) December 30 - U.S. STEEL SIGNS CONSENT DECREE WITH EPA ON CLAIRTON COKE WORKS EPA signs a Consent Order with U.S. Steel to control particulate pollution from the Clairton Coke Works. (Ryan) **# January 11, 1977 t. * AP00036924 UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ASF WASHIM9TON, O.C. 20MO f OFFICIAL OUtlNESt PENALTY FOP PRIVATE UIC S60 AM EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER OITA. 40 F** P*iO U.. INVIAONUIHTII. PROrccriON AOKNCY EPAOPA760295 k J DISLIO 8QX 53 07?10775000* 031 Sibbison (202) 755-0344 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1976 NEW LAW TO CONTROL HAZARDOUS WASTES, END OPEN DUMPING, PROMOTE CONSERVATION OF "RESOURCES Under a new law enacted October 21, 1976, the handling and disposal of hazardous wastes, which are generated mainly by industry, will come under Federal/State regulation. The law also requires that open dumping of all solid wastes be brought to an end throughout the country by 1983. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (P.L. 94-580) also calls for research, demonstrations, studies, training, in formation dissemination, and public participation activities to enlarge the base of knowledge and public involvement necessary for developing strong State and local programs. Partly as a result of pollution controls that keep wastes out of the air and water, growing amounts of solid wastes are being generated and deposited on " the ICTTir: Disposal on land has gone largely uncontrolled, resulting^in numerous instances of serious effects on human health and environmental quality. The contamination of ground waters by substances leaching from disposal sites is a primary concern. The most urgent objective of the new law is to prevent this and other environments1 effects of improper disposal. Return Ihle **t If yaw 4a NOT with to receive thii material Q. or If change of Mdmi it needed Q (indicate ehengo, including <lp tM). AP00036925 -2 In signing the law. President Ford cited the special threat in hazardous waste disposal, calling it "one of the highest priority environmental problems confronting the Nation." Under the law, EPA is required to identify and publish a list of hazard ous wastes within 18 months -and to set standards for the handling, transportation, and ultimate disposal of these wastes. Under guidelines to be developed by EPA, States are to establish regu latory programs; if States fail to do so, EPA regulations will apply. Civil hnd criminal penalties are.established for violation-up to $25,000 per day of noncompliance, a year in prison, or both. To implement the open dumping prohibition, EPA is directed to establish criteria for identifying open dumps and for identify ing sanitary landfills no later than October 1977, and the agency will conduct a national inventory of all open dumps within the 12 months that follow. Special grant assistance to help meet new requirements for land disposal facilities will be available for rural communities. Other major provisions of the new law include: --A requirement that all Federal procurement agencies procure items composed of the maximum allowable percentage of recycled materials. --A requirement that public participation must be promoted in the development of all Federal and State regulations, guide lines, information, and programs under the act. --Permission for citizens to bring suits to obtain com pliance with the law. --Requirement of a number of special studies, in areas such as sewage sludge management, low-technology means of resource recovery, measures to reduce the generation of waste, waste col lection practices, management of mining and agricultural wastes, and economic incentives to promote recycling and waste reduction. *#* 328 AP00036926