Cal/EPA Environmental Management Systems Project
Meeting Summary: Southern California Working Group
March 13, 2000: Fountain Valley, California

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• Introductions
• Relevant Activities Since Last Meeting
• Upcoming Events
• Explanation of the Public Hearing Process
• Working Group Input into Draft Documents
• Closing Comments

I. Introductions

Tom Lanphar, Cal/EPA, welcomed everyone to the meeting and restated our "ground rules":

1. Listen first to understand.
2. Realize we all have something to contribute and we can learn something from each person.
3. We all share in the responsibility for the success of the meeting and program.
4. Speak clearly and without jargon, help others understand what we are saying.

All participants introduced themselves.

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II. Relevant Activities Since Last Meeting

October 26 & 27, 1999 Resource Renewal Institute (RRI) Conference: Bob Stephens, Cal/EPA, provided an overview of the conference co-sponsored by Cal/EPA and RRI. RRI is a non-profit promoting sustainable development through the applications of Green Plans (comprehensive strategic sustainability plans). Cal/EPA and RRI brought speakers for the Netherlands to talk about their National Environmental Policy Plan (NEPP). The Dutch envision a transition to a sustainable society within one generation, or 25 years. Discussing their States’ efforts in Green Planning were speakers from Oregon, Minnesota, and Illinois. The conference proceedings are available at www.rri.org.

Action: Tom will send e-mail, asking group if they were able to download from web.   If not, Tom will send a copy.

November 5, 1999, December 6, 1999, and March 2, 2000 Training: Three trainings on EMS were provided to the working group by Cal/EPA. The first focused on the basics of EMS, the second on performance measures and auditing, and the third on what differentiates a high performing EMS from a modest EMS and how EMSs have been applied in public policy (European example). Many people at the meeting attended the training. The working group showed interest in future trainings, especially if they focus on applications of EMS using specific case studies and exercises.

Web Site: The Cal/EPA EMS web site is up at www.calepa.ca.gov/EMS. Information on the pilot projects and the working groups is available on line.

Legislative Report: The first Legislative Report has been finalized, approved by the Governors Office and sent to the legislature. The working group was sent a draft copy. The final will be available on the web site.

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III. Upcoming Events

National EMS Conference, June 5 and 6, 2000: Cal/EPA Innovation Initiative will host the third annual national Multi-State Working Group EMS Conference in San Diego this June. We encourage everyone to attend. The Conference will include segments on EMS role in sustainability, international and US/Mexico Border application of EMS, EMS application in enforcement, community involvement in EMS development, EMS design issues and much more.

Public Hearing: Cal/EPA will hold two public hearings, one in Southern California and one in Northern California, on the proposed pilot projects, evaluation and monitoring parameters (data protocols), and Pilot Project Work Plans. These are planned for May 2000. Cal/EPA will notice the public hearing through our mailing list, web site, and press release. Cal/EPA will also notice a 30 day public comment period on the same subject.

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IV. Explanation of the Public Hearing Process

Assembly Bill 1102 affirmed the Cal/EPA EMS pilot project and established various requirements including:

• Answer whether and how an EMS provides better protection and information.
• Select no more than eight pilot projects.
• Provide public notice and hold at least one public hearing on the selection of pilots, evaluation and monitoring parameters and Memorandum of Understanding, if utilized.

The public notice will announce the hearing and the start of the 30 day comment period. Cal/EPA will consider the comments provided, make a decision on the pilot projects and materials and respond to public comments.

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V. Working Group Input into Draft Documents

Andrea Lewis of Cal/EPA then facilitated a process designed to gather comments from all members of the working group.

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VI. Closing Comments

Action Items

• Tom will send an e-mail to follow-up on RRI Conference Proceedings.
• Renee will put Legislative Report on Cal/EPA website.
• Tom will survey Working Group on training preferences.

Next Steps

• Minutes will be sent out in the next couple of weeks.
• Responses to comments and revised documents will be sent to working group.
• Public Notice of comment period and public hearing forthcoming.

Special Thanks to Becky Brooks and the Orange County Sanitation District for hosting our meeting.

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Please contact Cal/EPA EMS Pilot Project Manager Tom Lanphar at (510) 540-3925, or by e-mail to tlanphar@dtsc.ca.gov, for more information about the Southern California Working Group.