ILLINOIS – October 24, 2002
The Weekly Roundup is published by Marasco Newton Group, Ltd., on behalf of the Land Renewal Network, a forum to address RCRA, CERCLA, and Brownfields policies. The following items are of interest this week:
RCRA
GROUPS FILE SUIT REGARDING ALLOWANCE OF RECYCLED HAZARDOUS WASTE IN ZINC
FERTILIZERS: A lawsuit filed by environmental, consumer, and agricultural groups alleges that an EPA rule allowing recycled hazardous waste in zinc fertilizers violates RCRA. The rule, finalized by EPA in July, exempts
hazardous wastes from RCRA when they are used in the production of zinc
fertilizers, sets limits for Contaminants used in zinc fertilizers made from recycled hazardous wastes, and establishes “conditions under which such materials can be recycled to produce fertilizers without the materials or the fertilizers being regulated as hazardous wastes.” The rule was also designed to encourage the recycling and recovery of zinc resources from materials that would otherwise be disposed of in landfills. The rule potentially impacts the one-half of one percent of all fertilizers made from recycled materials. The suit says that EPA does not have the authority to “allow waste into fertilizer”; the groups also allege consumers could unintentionally buy the fertilizers containing recycled hazardous waste, because the products won’t be labeled. The groups are concerned about the fertilizer’s impact on the environment and public health.
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
MIKE SHAPIRO MOVING FROM OSWER TO OW: OSWER Assistant Administrator
Marianne Horinko announced in an internal memorandum that effective November 18, Mike Shapiro, Deputy Assistant Administrator (DAA), OSWER, will take over as DAA for the Office of Water (OW) as part of EPA’s senior executive service rotation plan. The memo notes that once Shapiro moves to OW, he will have led all four major media offices at EPA. Diane Regas, current DAA for OW, will become director of OW’s Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds after that office’s current director retires in January. A replacement for Shapiro has not been named, but the EPA memo promised that an announcement regarding a new DAA, OSWER, will be made once there is official confirmation.
UPCOMING EVENTS
SAVE THE DATE! On November 13, 2002, Marasco Newton Group is hosting a
reception at the Tower Club Charlotte, 27th Floor, 201 South College Drive,
in Charlotte, North Carolina. Appetizers and beverages will be served. If you will be in Charlotte attending the Brownfields 2002 conference, please join us between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. to mingle with your colleagues in industry and government! Please R.S.V.P. via return e-mail so we can maintain a head count. We look forward to seeing you there!
BROWNFIELDS 2002: The Brownfields 2002 Conference will be held November
13-15 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The annual brownfields conference is
open to all stakeholders; program sessions will be offered for beginning,
intermediate, and seasoned Stakeholders. This year’s conference theme is “Investing in the Future.” The 2002 Phoenix Awards, which recognize
outstanding achievement in brownfields redevelopment, will be presented at
the conference. To learn more about the conference, visit the Brownfields
2002 Web site at Investing in the Future
NATIONAL COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE PROVIDERS FORUM: EPA’s National Compliance Assistance Providers Forum 2002 will be held December 4-6 in San Antonio,Texas. The forum allows compliance assistance practitioners to share their expertise, network, and build their skills. Previous forum participants have included state, federal, tribal, and local officials; community groups; non-profit organizations; representatives from academia; and private firms.
To learn more about this event, visit
