News Release (C-12-98)

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For Immediate Release (C-12-98) Contact: Communications Office (916) 324-9670 September 28, 1998

Hazardous Waste Classification Forum

SACRAMENTO - Calling it "…an opportunity to continue to improve our programs to aggressively and safely manage hazardous and other waste streams in California." Secretary for Environmental Protection, Peter M. Rooney, today opened the Proposed California Waste Classification System Forum in concert with Jesse Huff, Director, Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and with other key Cal/EPA Board Chairs and Office Directors.

Rooney continued, "In terms of good and responsive government the time is right to update California's regulatory procedures and ensure that state resources are properly marshaled to address substances that pose the greatest threat to human health and the environment."

This Forum, intended to identify potential implications of waste reclassification in other environmental areas, builds upon DTSC's Regulatory Structure Update (RSU) Forum. The RSU is aimed at reducing regulatory burden while retaining requirements needed to protect the citizens and environment. It is based on four guiding principles:

To protect public health and the environment without unnecessarily hindering sustainable growth and development;

To eliminate or modify regulations that are duplicative, ineffective, or do not provide needed protection or information;

To foster better compliance through regulatory flexibility, simplicity, and facilitating self-responsibility;

To ensure that hazardous waste regulatory programs reflect the current roles of other federal, state, and local regulatory programs.

The Forum will discuss how draft proposals under consideration will affect requirements for storing, transporting, and disposing of potentially hazardous wastes. Participants will have an opportunity to comment on the proposed changes.

Experts in waste disposal and water quality protection requirements will also be on hand to answer questions.

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1998 Releases | Archived Press Releases