News Release (C-30-98)

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For Immediate Release (C-30-98) Contact: Communications Office (916) 324-9670 November 17, 1998

Fresno County's Permit Consolidation Zone is Approved

FRESNO -- Secretary for Environmental Protection, Peter M. Rooney, today led officials from state and local agencies in a dedication ceremony to officially kick off an agreement establishing a Fresno County Permit Consolidation Zone.

"This Permit Consolidation Zone affords Fresno County an opportunity to enhance environmental compliance of significant importance, as well as expedite environmental permit processing," Secretary Rooney said. "The Permit Consolidation Zone will also enable us to collectively evaluate the single facility compliance plan as a possible new model for environmental regulation in California," he added.

SB 1299 (Peace, Chapter 872, Statutes of 1991) created a pilot program to test substituting a single facility compliance plan for separate environmental permits for air, water, hazardous materials, sewer discharges and biological resources. Fresno County applied to be designated a Zone and the State approved the application.

The Permit Consolidation Zone dedication ceremony was held at the Fresno County Plaza which is located in downtown Fresno. The Zone will streamline the environmental permitting process for new and expanding businesses in Fresno County, offering another important tool for the region’s economic development efforts.

The environmental permitting agencies include: Cal/EPA, Department of Toxic Substances Control, Regional Water Quality Control Boards, Integrated Waste Management Board, State Department of Fish and Game, Air Resources Board, Fresno County Public Works & Development Services Department, Fresno Business Council, and Cal/EPA’s Fresno Area Permit Assistance Center.

"In creating this Zone, we reaffirm our commitment to increasing the efficiency of government processes and assisting businesses complying with the nation’s highest environmental standards," Secretary Rooney said.

For more information on California’s Permit Consolidation Zones, please call Cal/EPA’s External Affairs Unit at (916) 323-2520.

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1998 Releases | Archived Press Releases