First Four Local Hazardous Waste and Materials Management Agencies Certified

For Immediate Release (C-17-96)
Contact: Communications Office (916) 324-9670
May 16, 1996

555 Capitol Mall, Suite 525
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 324-9670
FAX (916) 445-5563

SACRAMENTO -- The California Environmental Protection Agency today announced certification of the first four agencies to apply for a newly consolidated environmental program designed to improve regulatory consistency in California's management of hazardous waste and materials. The four local agencies approved represent San Diego, San Francisco, Kings and Lake Counties.

This step affirms Governor Wilson's commitment to an effective environmental management and protection strategy empowering local environmental agencies to administer the rules while removing needless obstacles from those who must comply," Secretary for Environmental Protection James M. Strock said. "This Unified Program is part of our continuing improvement of California's environmental processes to better advance our state's high environmental standards."

These four Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPAs) will be assuming responsibility for six areas of environmental management and protection by January 1, 1997. The areas of oversight include: hazardous waste generator and on-site treatment facilities regulation, underground storage tank permitting, aboveground storage tank spill prevention plans, risk management and prevention plans, hazardous materials storage permits, and hazardous materials management plans and inventory statements required by the Uniform Fire Code. Cal/EPA expects to certify additional CUPAs by the end of the year.

Senator Charles M. Calderon's SB 1082 (1993, HSC Ch. 6.11) requires the Secretary for Environmental Protection to establish a unified hazardous waste and hazardous materials management program. This Unified Program includes Cal/EPA's Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), State Water Resources Control Board, the Regional Water Quality Control Boards, the Office of Emergency Services, and the State Fire Marshall. The Unified Program consolidates, coordinates and makes consistent the administration, permitting, inspections, enforcement, and fee functions of the six programs mentioned above.

"We are pleased to work with Senator Calderon to better achieve environmental protection at the local level. We are grateful that he carried the Wilson Administration's proposal for this innovative program," Strock said.

The Unified Program is viewed as a major development in the management of hazardous materials and hazardous waste in California. The plan will improve consistency in the application of permit standards, as well as enhance compliance with California's environmental laws. For example, regulated facilities will now be able to submit reports and respond to a single oversight agency, eliminating duplicative paperwork; a unified inspection and enforcement program will reduce multiple inspections at a single facility.

Other provisions of SB 1082 are already in operation. DTSC and the Water Boards have resolved jurisdictional overlaps at over 295 regulated facilities including lead agency oversight determinations for corrective action, inspection coordination, and waste discharge requirements. Additionally, the principles of Total Quality Management are being continuously integrated into Cal/EPA's organization.

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