67 FR 110 pgs. 39385-39386 - Lead-Based Paint Activities in Target Housing and Child-Occupied Facilities; State of Colorado Authorization of Lead-Based Paint Activities Program
Type: NOTICEVolume: 67Number: 110Pages: 39385 - 39386
Docket number: [OPPTS-2002-0024; FRL-7178-7]
FR document: [FR Doc. 02-14369 Filed 6-6-02; 8:45 am]
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPPTS-2002-0024; FRL-7178-7]
Lead-Based Paint Activities in Target Housing and Child-Occupied Facilities; State of Colorado Authorization of Lead-Based Paint Activities Program
AGENCY:
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION:
Notice; final approval of the State of Colorado Lead-Based Paint Activities Program.
SUMMARY:
On September 28, 2001, the State of Colorado submitted a self-certification letter stating that Colorado's Lead-Based Paint Abatement Program meets the requirements for approval of a State program under section 404 of TSCA and that Colorado has the legal authority and ability to implement the appropriate elements to enforce the program. The State program will administer and enforce training and certification requirements, training program accreditation requirements, and work practice standards for lead-based paint activities in target housing and child-occupied facilities under section 402 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Today's notice announces the authorization of the State of Colorado Lead-Based Paint Activities Program to apply in the State of Colorado effective September 28, 2001.
DATES:
The Lead-Based Paint Activities Program authorization was granted to the State of Colorado effective on September 28, 2001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dave Combs, Regional Toxics Team Leader, Environmental Protection Agency, Region VIII, 999 18th St., Suite 300, 8P-P3T, Denver, CO 80202-2466; telephone: 303-312-6021; e-mail address: combs.dave@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
On October 28, 1992, the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992, Public Law 102-550, became law. Title X of that statute was the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992. That Act amended TSCA (15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq. ) by adding Title IV (15 U.S.C. 2681-92), titled "Lead Exposure Reduction."
Section 402 of TSCA (15 U.S.C. 2682) authorizes and directs EPA to promulgate final regulations governing lead-based paint activities in target housing, public and commercial buildings, bridges and other structures. Those regulations are to ensure that individuals engaged in such activities are properly trained, that training programs are accredited, and that individuals engaged in these activities are certified and follow documented work practice standards. Under section 404 (15 U.S.C. 2684), a State may seek authorization from EPA to administer and enforce its own lead-based paint activities program.
On August 29, 1996 (61 FR 45777) (FRL-5389-9), EPA promulgated final TSCA section 402/404 regulations governing lead-based paint activities in target housing and child-occupied facilities (a subset of public buildings). Those regulations are codified at 40 CFR part 745, and allow both States and Indian Tribes to apply for program authorization. Pursuant to section 404(h) of TSCA (15 U.S.C. 2684(h)), EPA is to establish the Federal program in any State or Tribal Nation without its own authorized program in place by August 31, 1998.
States and Tribes that choose to apply for program authorization must submit a complete application to the appropriate Regional EPA Office for review. Those applications will be reviewed by EPA within 180 days of receipt of the complete application. To receive EPA approval, a State or Tribe must demonstrate that its program is at least as protective of human health and the environment as the Federal program, and provides for adequate enforcement (section 404(b) of TSCA, 15 U.S.C. 2684(b)). EPA's regulations (40 CFR part 745, subpart Q) provide the detailed requirements a State or Tribal program must meet in order to obtain EPA approval.
On December 21, 1998, the State of Colorado submitted an application for EPA interim approval to administer and enforce the training and certification requirements, training program accreditation requirements, and work practice standards for lead-based paint activities in target housing and child-occupied facilities under section 402 of TSCA. Colorado provided a self-certification letter stating that its program is at least as protective of human health and the environment as the Federal program and it possesses the legal authority and ability to implement the appropriate elements necessary to receive interim enforcement approval. Based upon the State's self-certification, Lead-Based Paint Activities Interim Program Authorization was granted to the State of Colorado effective on December 21, 1998.
On September 7, 1999 (64 FR 48618) (FRL-6099-1), EPA published a notice in the Federal Register granting interim-approval of the Colorado TSCA section 402/404 Lead-Based Paint Accreditation and Certification Program. Full-approval was not granted at the time due to the State of Colorado's Environmental Audit Privilege and Penalty Immunity Statute, sometimes known as S.B. 94-139 (codified at sections 13-25-126.5, 13-90-107(1)(j), and 25-1-114-5, C.R.S.). This statute impaired the State's ability to fully administer and enforce the lead-based paint program. Interim compliance and enforcement approval was granted to provide the State the opportunity to address problems and issues associated with its Environmental Audit Privilege and Penalty Immunity Statute. During the 2000 Legislative Session, the Colorado State Legislature amended the State's Environmental Audit Privilege and Immunity Statute. On May 30, 2000, EPA and the State of Colorado signed a Memorandum of Agreement resolving all of the issues with the State's Environmental Audit Privilege and Immunity Statute. Based upon the revised Statute and the Memorandum of Agreement between Colorado and EPA, the legal barriers for final EPA approval of Colorado's Lead Based Paint Abatement and Certification Program have been removed.
Notice of Colorado's application, a solicitation for public comment regarding the application, and background information supporting the application was published in the Federal Register of March 6, 2002 (67 FR 10205) (FRL-6823-2). As determined by EPA's review and assessment, Colorado's application successfully demonstrated that the State's Lead-Based Paint Activities Program achieves the protectiveness and enforcement criteria, as required for Federal authorization. Furthermore, no public comments were received regarding any aspect of Colorado's application.
II. Federal Overfiling
TSCA section 404(b), makes it unlawful for any person to violate, or fail or refuse to comply with, any requirement of an approved State or Tribal program. Therefore, EPA reserves the right to exercise its enforcement authority under TSCA against a violation of, or a failure or refusal to comply with, any requirement of an authorized State or Tribal program.
III. Withdrawal of Authorization
Pursuant to TSCA section 404(c), the Administrator may withdraw a State or Tribal lead-based paint activities program authorization, after notice and opportunity for corrective action, if the program is not being administered or enforced in compliance with standards, regulations, and other requirements established under the authorization. The procedures EPA will follow for the withdrawal of an authorization are found at 40 CFR 745.324(i).
List of Subjects
Environmental protection, Hazardous substances, Lead, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Dated: May 14, 2002.
Robbie E. Roberts,
Regional Administrator, Region VIII.
[FR Doc. 02-14369 Filed 6-6-02; 8:45 am]
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