Land Ban Exemption Granted to Armco Steel Co.
(now known as AK Steeel Co.)

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

(FRL-3820-8)

Underground Injection Control Program; Hazardous Waste Disposal Injection Restrictions Petition for Exemption--Class I Hazardous Waste Injection Arcmo Steel Company, L.P., Middletown, OH

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of final decision on petition.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given by the United States Environmental Protectio Agency (USEPA) that an exemption to the land disposal restrictions under the 1984 Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments (HSWA) to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) has been granted to Armco Steel Co. (Armco) of Middletown, Ohio, for two Class I injection wells located in Middletown, Ohio. As required by 40 CFR part 148, Armco has demonstrated, to a reasonable degree of certainty, that there will be no migration of hazardous constituents from the injection zone for as long as the waste remains hazardous. This final decision allows the continued underground injection by Armco of a specific restricted waste, Waste Pickle Liquor, (code K062 under 40 CFR part 261), into two Class I hazardous waste injection wells specifically identified as Waste Disposal Wells No. 1 and No. 2, at the Middletown facility. This decision constitutes a final USEPA action for which there is no Administrative Appeal.

Background

Armco submitted a petition for exemption from the land disposal restrictions of hazardous waste on February 9, 1989. USEPA and Ohio EPA personnel reviewed all data pertaining to the petition, including, but not limited to, well construction, regional and local geology, seismic activity, penetrations of the confining zone, and the mathematical models. The USEPA has determined that the geological setting at the site as well as the construction and operation of the wells are adequate to prevent fluid migration out of the injection zone within 10,000 years, as required under 40 CFR part 148. The injection zone at this site is the upper Middle Run Formation, the Mt. Simon Sandstone, and the Eau Claire Formation, at a depth of 2423 feet to 3296 feet below ground level. The confining zone is the Knox Dolomite at a depth of 1172 feet to 2423 feet below ground level. The confining zone is separated from the lowermost underground source of drinking water (at a depth of 522 feet below ground level) by a sequence of permeable and less permeable sedimentary rocks, which provide additional protection from fluid migration into drinking water sources. A fact sheet containing a more complete summary of the proposed decision was published in the Federal Register on May 23, 1990 (55 FR 21236).

A public notice was issued on May 19, 1990, pursuant to 40 CFR 124.10, and public meetings and public hearings were subsequently held in Middletown on June 11th and 18th, 1990, respectively. The public comment period expired on July 2, 1990. USEPA did not receive comments on the proposed exemption granted to Armco, and has determined that its reasons for granting the exemption as set forth in the original fact sheet remain valid. A final exemption is therefore granted as proposed.

Condition

As a condition of this exemption, Armco must meet the following conditions: (1) The combined monthly average injection rate for both wells must not exceed 90 gallons per minute;

(2) Injection shall occur only into the lower Eau Claire Formation, the Mt. Simon Sandstone, and the upper Middle Run Formation in the interval from 2900 feet to 3296 feet; and

(3) Armco must be in full compliance with all conditions of its permit. Other conditions relating to the exemption may be found in 40 CFR parts 148.23 and 148.24.

DATES: This action is effective as of July 30, 1990.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Allen Melcer, Lead Petition Reviewer, USEPA, Region V, telephone (312) 886-1498. Copies of the petition and all pertinent information relating thereto are on file and are part of the Administrative Record. It is recommended that you contact the lead reviewer prior to reviewing the Administrative Record.

Jerri-Anne Garl Acting Director, Water Division

(FR Doc. 90-19191 Filed 8-14-90; 8:45 am) Underground Injection Control Topics | Other Local Water Topics

Land Ban Exemption Granted to Armco Steel Co.(now known as AK Steeel Co.)

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Land Ban Exemption Granted to Armco Steel Co.
(now known as AK Steeel Co.)