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Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Identification, Listing and Rulemaking Petitions Information Collection Request - June 10, 2004

Highlights

This notice announces that EPA is planning to submit a continuing Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This is a request to renew an existing approved collection for Identification, Listing, and Rulemaking Petitions (ICR Number 1189.09). In addition, EPA is incorporating the burden associated with the recently published zinc fertilizer rulemaking.

Supporting materials and public comments for this notice are available through Regulations.gov, the federal government's electronic public docket and comment system. To use Regulations.gov:

You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.

  1. Select Docket Search.
  2. Select "Environmental Protection Agency" from the Agency drop-down menu.
  3. In the Docket ID box, type in the docket number — EPA-HQ-RCRA-2004-0007 and press the "Submit" button to receive search results. Be patient; loading the documents takes time.

Federal Register Notice (PDF) (2 pp, 177K)

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Zinc Fertilizers Made From Secondary Hazardous Materials; Final Rule - July 24, 2002

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is today finalizing regulations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) that apply to recycling of hazardous secondary materials to make zinc fertilizer products. This final rule establishes a more consistent regulatory framework for this practice, and establishes conditions for excluding hazardous secondary materials that are used to make zinc fertilizers from the regulatory definition of solid waste. The rule also establishes new product specifications for contaminants in zinc fertilizers made from those secondary materials.

Federal Register Notice (PDF) (23 pp, 267K)

Fact Sheet (PDF) (2 pp, 22K) || Text

Supporting materials and public comments for this notice are available through Regulations.gov, the federal government's electronic public docket and comment system. To use Regulations.gov:

  1. Select Docket Search.
  2. Select "Environmental Protection Agency" from the Agency drop-down menu.
  3. In the Docket ID box, type in the docket number — EPA-HQ-RCRA-2004-0054 and press the "Submit" button to receive search results. Be patient; loading the documents takes time.

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Waste-Derived Fertilizers; Notice of Public Hearing on EPA's Proposed Regulations for Zinc Fertilizers Made From Recycled Hazardous Waste.

The EPA held a public hearing on its proposed regulations for zinc fertilizers made from recycled hazardous wastes. The hearing was held on November 29, 2001, at the Town Hall, 1119 8th Avenue (corner of 8th and Seneca Street), Seattle, WA. Two sessions were held -- 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The proposed regulations, which were published by EPA Headquarters on November 28, 2000, would establish a new set of regulations for recycling hazardous wastes to manufacture zinc micro-nutrient fertilizers. EPA received more than 600 comments on the proposal, including a request for a public hearing made by the Washington Toxics Coalition. This hearing was held in Seattle in response to that request. The hearing was an opportunity for anyone interested to make additional formal comments on the proposed regulations. The proposal was explained by EPA officials, followed by questions and answers.

If you have questions about the hearing, please e-mail Jeanne O'Dell (odell.jeanne@epa.gov) in EPA's Region 10 office or phone her at 206-553-6919

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Proposed Regulations - November 28, 2000

 EPA has continually encouraged the beneficial reuse and recycling of industrial wastes, including hazardous wastes, when such wastes can be used as safe and effective substitutes for virgin, raw materials. The majority of fertilizers made from recycled hazardous wastes are zinc micronutrient fertilizers, which are applied sparingly to farmlands (typically, a few pounds per acre a year), and are used to fertilize crops such as corn, potatoes, and fruit trees.

Currently, EPA proposes to modify existing regulations for zinc fertilizers made from recycled industrial wastes. These modifications will conserve natural resources, prevent pollution, and save money. The revised provisions are expected to improve and increase legitimate zinc recycling, and reduce contaminant levels in these types of fertilizers. While ensuring that recycled zinc fertilizers are good, clean fertilizers, regulatory restrictions on this industry will be streamlined-saving this industry around seven million dollars.

The Agency is proposing to make zinc-bearing industrial waste recycling simpler and more consistent by using a common-sense regulatory approach. In summary, this proposal will:

Virtually all states have regulatory programs for fertilizers, which are administered by state agricultural agencies primarily to ensure that fertilizers meet the manufacturers' plant nutrient claims, and that they are accurately classified and labeled. Some states, such as the state of Washington, have recently begun to regulate contaminant levels in nearly all fertilizers and soil amendment products. Since EPA regulates contaminants in only a very small percentage of the fertilizers currently on the market (perhaps as little as one percent or less), the Agency supports and encourages these state efforts.

Federal Register Notice (PDF) (29 pp, 361K) - November 28, 2000

Fact Sheet (PDF) (2 pp, 19K) || Text

Index of Support Materials

Background Report on Fertilizer Use, Contaminants and Regulations,
[EPA 747-R-98-003], January 1999 (PDF) (395 pp, 2.9MB)

Related Material
Environmental Fact Sheet: Waste-Derived Fertilizers - December 1997 (PDF) (3 pp, 12K) || Text

Estimating Risk From Contaminants Contained in Agricultural Fertilizers - September 1, 1999

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