There was little public interest Thursday in the updates of state rules regulating disposal of hazardous waste, medical waste and solid waste to bring them into compliance with federal Environmental Protection Agency requirements.
One of the changes adopted by the state Board of Minerals and Environment creates a new EPA-approved system for universities and colleges to use for disposing of chemicals.
South Dakota State University has expressed interest in using it, said Carrie Jacobson, a scientist in the state’s waste management program. She said the new approach is intended to be more economical and less burdensome.
Another significant change calls for additional tracking and regulation of lead-acid batteries and other types of hazardous waste when moved across U.S. borders.
Jacobson said the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources isn’t aware of any companies engaged in that activity within South Dakota.
The changes made Thursday also repealed all of the state rules regarding medical waste. Those materials will be covered under a different section of federal regulations covering medical waste incineration.
The only comments received by DENR officials on any of the rule changes regarded South Dakota’s haze program. Federal requirements call for a state plan to reduce haze and improve visibility of national landmarks such as Badlands and Wind Cave.
The National Park Service now accepts the South Dakota plan, according to a letter from John Bunyak, an administrator in the park service’s air resources division at Denver.
However, Bunyak noted that Nebraska isn’t proposing to implement sulfur dioxide controls at the Gerald Gentleman power station, which he said means South Dakota’s planned reductions in sulfate probably won’t be met.
Nebraska is covered by EPA’s region 7 office in Kansas City, while South Dakota is under EPA’s region 8 office in Denver.
Bunyak said the park service is recommending the sulfur dioxide controls to the power station’s operator and the EPA. In the letter he encouraged South Dakota to consult with Nebraska “on reducing contributions from the Gerald Gentleman Station to Badlands and Wind Cave National Parks.”
The only other comment came in a letter from Otter Tail Power supporting the South Dakota haze plan. Otter Tail is the operating agent for the Big Stone power plant in Grant County.
No one showed up at either set of public hearings Thursday to comment on the proposed rules.
“We worked closely with Otter Tail and EPA to come up with the changes. They are in agreement with them,” said Rick Boddicker, an environmental scientist for the state department.
Board member Lee McCahren of Vermillion boiled down all of the waste-rule changes.
“This isn’t going to drastically affect any business in South Dakota?” he asked.
Boddicker shook his head no.
