UPAAG Strategic Plan

Unified Program Mission

To protect public health and safety, and to restore and enhance environmental quality, and sustain economic vitality through effective and efficient implementation of the Unified Program.

Unified Program Vision

The Unified Programs will continue to play an active role in policy oversight and implementation of the Unified Program. All Unified Program participants at the federal, state and local level shall engage in a quality of communication, which enhances mutual trust.

Unified Program Goals

Goal 1

State and Federal Agencies shall continue full participation and coordination in their oversight of the Unified Program and shall speak with a unified, consistent voice in communicating with local agencies.

Objectives

• Develop strategic plan for each program element using HW model.

Strategies

a. Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of federal, state and local government.

b. State Water Resources Control Board shall have a representative in UPAAG for the Above Ground Storage Tank Program.

c. Each Program within USEPA shall have a representative in UPAAG and policy groups.

d. Revise Title 27 to reflect necessary changes and to update forms and the electronic submission of data.

e. Develop guidance and unified models.

Goal 2

Build, enhance and maintain effective communication among all stakeholders.

Objectives

• Develop and implement a plan to communicate the work and success of the Unified Program.
• Involve the Cal-CUPA Forum Board in development of the Unified Program related regulations and legislation beginning at the conceptual stages.
• Develop and implement a plan to improve intra-board and departmental communication.
• Continue to improve the communication among the Unified Program agencies.
• Enhance the involvement of the public, regulated groups and the environmental community in the Unified Program.
• Address increased workload for e-waste, Universal waste/mercury/etc.

Strategies

a. Distribution of “monthly mailout” to all interested parties.

b. Develop annual “State of the Unified Program Report”.

c. Maintain updated Internet sites with links to related sites.

d. Improvement of partnerships by communicating legislative and regulatory information and providing guidance.

e. Develop guidelines for releasing sensitive information.

Goal 3

To enhance professional, effective, and consistent service delivery by adequately training all federal, state, and local agency participants.

Objectives

• Develop and implement annual training plans in coordination with other federal, state and local agencies.
• Coordinate training plans with other federal, state and local agencies.
• Identify adequate funding to support annual training plans.
• Increase Federal involvement in training.
• Develop mechanism for Unified Program participants to share technical expertise and resources to improve program implementation.

Strategies

a. Develop training strategy/competency standards/core curriculum.

b. Develop training to meet identified core competencies.

c. Develop virtual training.

d. Develop training for trainers.

Goal 4

Assure consistent compliance of regulated facilities.

Objectives

• Develop coordinated, consistent and consolidated enforcement processes for the Unified Program.
• Uniform inspection procedures across all program elements.

Strategies

a. Legislation to adopt administrative enforcement for all program elements.

b. Develop a plan to apply the full scope of options and define full range of compliance tools that ensures consistent compliance of regulated facilities.

c. Develop guidance and unified models, policies and procedures.

Goal 5

The Unified Program will be implemented in all jurisdictions.

Objectives

• Develop a plan, including a timeline, to complete implementation of the Unified Program statewide.

Goal 6

Have coordinated, standardized, statewide reporting of data essential for Unified Programs implementation.

Objectives

• Ensure statewide data exchange through compatibility with the various federal, state, and local databases to retrieve, receive and store data required in Title 27.
• Ensure continuous improvement of collection and reporting of Unified Program information.
• Ensure consistent interpretation of data to promote sound analysis and decision-making.

Strategies

a. Reconvene the data and forms committee by May of 2002.

b. Modify Title 27 to consolidate environmental reporting requirements.

c. IDEA project

Goal 7

Demonstrate Unified Program performance and success.

Objectives

• Review and revise evaluation process as needed.

Strategies

a. Develop indicators to measure performance and success of the Unified Program.

Goal 8

Explore and evaluate opportunities to enhance service delivery by participating in health, life safety and environmental programs related to the Unified Program.

Objectives

• Define the role of the Unified Program in mitigation and remediation of hazardous materials releases.
• Coordinate related activities, which will include plans and data collection that will enhance the effectiveness of the Unified Program and other governmental efforts to protect public health, safety, and the environment.
• Continue to coordinate Unified Program Agencies with LEPCs.
• Coordinate Unified Program Agencies with the operational areas.
• Contribute to the coordination of Federal, State, and Local emergency planning processes.
• Coordinate and communicate efforts regarding terrorist issues affecting the Unified Program.