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More about the Unified Program

The Unified Program Administration and Advisory Group (UPAAG) was created to foster effective working partnerships between local, state and federal agencies. The CUPAs, and PAs statewide also created a partnership and formed the California CUPA Forum. In the UPAAG, members of the CUPA Forum work with state and federal agencies on policy decisions, education and problem-solving. The UPAAG’s goals and objectives are listed in the UPAAG Strategic Plan.

The Unified Program consolidated the administration, permits, inspections, and enforcement activities of the following environmental and emergency management programs.

• Hazardous Materials Release Response Plans and Inventories (Business Plans)
• California Accidental Release Prevention (CalARP) Program
• Area Plans for Hazardous Materials Emergencies
• Underground Storage Tank Program
• Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act (APSA) Program
• Hazardous Waste Generator and Onsite Hazardous Waste Treatment (tiered permitting) Programs
• California Uniform Fire Code: Hazardous Material Management Plans and Hazardous Material Inventory Statements

The state agency partners involved in the Unified Program have the responsibility of setting program element standards, working with Cal/EPA on ensuring program consistency, and providing technical assistance to the CUPAs and PAs. The following state agencies are involved with the Unified Program:

California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA)
The Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency is directly responsible for coordinating the administration of the Unified Program. The Secretary certifies Unified Program Agencies. The Secretary has certified 83 CUPAs to date. These 83 CUPAs carry out the responsibilities previously handled by approximately 1,300 state and local agencies.

Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC)
The Department of Toxic Substances Control provides technical assistance and evaluation for the hazardous waste generator program including onsite treatment (tiered permitting).

Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (OES)
The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services is responsible for providing technical assistance and evaluation of the Hazardous Material Release Response Plan (Business Plan) Program and the California Accidental Release Response Plan (CalARP) Programs.

Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM)
The Office of the State Fire Marshal is responsible for ensuring the implementation of the Hazardous Material Management Plans and the Hazardous Material Inventory Statement Programs. These programs tie in closely with the Business Plan Program.

State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)
The State Water Resources Control Board provides technical assistance and evaluation for the underground storage tank program in addition to handling the oversight and enforcement for the aboveground storage tank program.

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