On November 15, 2000, pursuant to Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) Sections 1-0101(1), 1-0303(19), 3-0301(1), and 27-0501, the Department of Environmental Conservation gave notice of the following proposed rulemaking action:

A Proposed Rulemaking was filed with the Department of State on October 27, 2000 to regulate the disposal of the radioactive wastes generated by the extraction or concentration of uranium or thorium where such waste is not regulated by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The primary source of these wastes is sites where uranium and thorium were refined during and shortly following World War II. Under this amendment, these wastes must be disposed of as radioactive waste and in accordance with Part 380.

The comment period, previously scheduled to close on March 21, 2001, has been extended through April 2, 2001.

For further information, contact Barbara Youngberg, NYSDEC Division of Solid & Hazardous Materials, 50 Wolf Road, Albany, New York 12233-7255; telephone: 518-457-2225; E-mail: bayoungb@gw.dec.state.ny.us

Applications are now available for the New York State Eighth Annual Governor's Award for Pollution Prevention. The awards program was established to recognize pollution prevention efforts by NYS organizations. Applicants can compete in one of the three following categories:

• Facilities generating waste and pollution: small (100 or fewer employees), mid-size (more than 100 and fewer than 500 employees), or large (more than 500 employees) industrial, commercial or institutional facilities; federal, state and local governments; and educational institutions
• Technical assistance providers: environmental, community and civic organizations; trade associations or other business/industry groups; federal, state and local governments, and educational institutions; and other public or private entities
• Continuous improvement: this category is for organizations that demonstrate a longer term commitment to pollution prevention and continue to develop and implement pollution prevention programs and achieve results.

Nominations for awards will be made to Governor Pataki by the Department of Environmental Conservation based on recommendations from a selection committee.

Criteria to be considered for the applicants include: waste volume/toxicity reduction, overall environmental benefits, overall economic benefits, improvement in worker safety, innovations in technology, process or education program, level of management commitment, and transferability.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Presentation of the awards will be during Pollution Prevention Week in September 2001 at the new DEC Headquarters located at 625 Broadway in Albany. The winners will be notified a week prior to the presentation of the awards. Applications are due May 1, 2001, and are available through the DEC’s website: www.dec.state.ny.us/website/ppu/p2gov.html.

Anyone interested in obtaining more information regarding the application and criteria for the awards should contact Mr. Carlos Montes at the Department of Environmental Conservation, Pollution Prevention Unit, 50 Wolf Rd., Room 298, Albany, NY 12233-8010, telephone (518) 457-0774, Fax (518) 457-2570, email: clmontes@gw.dec.state.ny.us.