Office of the Secretary

2001 Accomplishments and Priorities

The mission of the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) is to restore, protect and enhance the environment to ensure public health, environmental quality and economic vitality. Cal/EPA’s vision is of a California that enjoys a clean, healthy, sustainable environment that enhances the quality of life for current and future generations, and protects our diverse natural resources.

Pollution Prevention (P2) at Cal/EPA

Cal/EPA committed in its July 2000 Strategic Vision to evolve the current regulatory framework toward a performance-based system that fosters continual improvement. That new regulatory framework will feature the “integration of pollution prevention strategies into the mainstream of the permitting and regulatory process.” Pollution prevention is a proven, effective and cost-effective approach to solving many of California’s pollution problems. Also known as source reduction, pollution prevention is an environmental protection approach that reduces or eliminates pollutants before they are generated, in contrast to more traditional regulations that seek to control pollutants via management strategies.

Accomplishments during the First Half of 2001

1. The Office of the Secretary recognized that agency-wide initiatives cannot be adequately managed from within DTSC even though their P2 programs are well established. Since June of 2000, the SB 1916 Source Reduction Advisory Committee has been working on recommendations for Cal/EPA to “establish an agency-level pollution prevention program.” Their recommendations propose that the fundamental elements of an agency-wide pollution prevention program are: (1) a prevention mindset, (2) effective coordination of all environmental programs, and (3) an emphasis on multi-media solutions. The Office of the Secretary has concurrently analyzed the committee’s recommendations with the intent of developing a rapid response and program work plan.

2. The SB 1916 Source Reduction Advisory Committee also recommended that the Office of the Secretary direct its boards, departments, and office (BDO) to explicitly identify their pollution prevention efforts in their respective Strategic Plans as a reflection of the Cal/EPA Strategic Vision, which the committee applauded. Undersecretary H. Brian Haddix issued this directive through the context of the Strategic Vision Implementation Team.

Priorities for the Second Half of 2001

The Office of the Secretary will:

1. Adopt a P2 at Agency (Cal/EPA) work plan to establish an agency-level pollution prevention program in response to recommendations from the SB 1916 Source Reduction Advisory Committee.

2. Convene a P2 steering committee or team of BDO representatives, and adopt a governing charter, as the first step in implementing an agency-level P2 program with a singular focus on promoting and coordinating P2 activities.

3. Exhibit state leadership in P2 by gaining the cooperation of all state agencies that maintain their own fleets of vehicles to do so with P2 best management practices.

4. Prepare to elevate National P2 Week (beginning in September 2002) into a large-scale media event like Earth Day, with exhibits at Capitol Park and expanded media coverage.

Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and Sustainability Program

Accomplishments During the First Half of 2001

EMS Pilot Project: In 1999 Cal/EPA launched an Innovation Initiative to evaluate the environmental and public information benefits of EMS.

1. Pilot projects from the agriculture, manufacturing, computer components, defense, metal plating, beverage industries, municipal sewerage facilities and representing various stages of EMS implementation, were initiated to evaluate whether and how the use of an EMS:

• Increases public health and environmental protection and
• Provides better public information than existing regulatory requirements.

Data on changes in environmental performance, regulatory compliance, pollution prevention, stakeholder involvement, and the quantity and quality of environmental information available to the public resulting from EMS implementation, has been collected and evaluated. An interim final report was provided to the Governor’s office for approval and release to the Legislature. The findings, conclusions, and recommendations are based on analysis of the data and on extensive dialogue with stakeholders in advisory group sessions, workshops, and informal meetings.

While the project is not complete, there is sufficient information to support the interim conclusions that implementation of a well-designed EMS results in substantial improvements in both environmental performance and in the quality and quantity of information available to the public. Once approved, the interim final report will be available on the website at www.calepa.ca.gov/EMS.

Priorities for the Second Half of 2001

1. A quarterly update will be provided to the Legislature by October 1, 2001, and the final report by January 1, 2002. Additional update data will be collected, analyzed, and vetted through the stakeholder working groups to support the final report analyses, conclusions, and recommendations.

2. Relationship to Strategic Vision: This project supports Goal 8 of the strategic vision to encourage innovation by promoting implementation of EMS.

Sustainability Project

Accomplishments During the First Half of 2001

Sustainable Silicon Valley is a joint project of Cal/EPA, the Silicon Valley Manufacturers Group and the Silicon Valley Environmental Partnership to develop a broad partnership of stakeholders representing Silicon Valley businesses, environmental and public interest groups, governments and private citizens to identify and address environmental and resources pressures in Silicon Valley through the creation of an environmental and resource management system (EMS) for the region. An organizing team consisting of representatives from 41 business, government and public interest organizations has developed a plan for the project. An interactive web site has been developed to enlist the assistance of up to 500 interested parties from the Silicon Valley in the identification and ranking of significant environmental and resource pressures.

Priorities for the Second Half of 2001

“Red light” pressures (those requiring immediate regional action through creation of, or enhancement of existing, management structures) will be identified, baseline data collected and analysis performed. The organizing team will develop a collaborative process to select one or more of the red light pressures for improvement actions by the involved parties and will create an implementation team.

Relationship to Strategic Vision: This project supports Goal 8 of the strategic vision to lead by example by engaging the business community in taking corporate responsibility for environmental improvement.

Environmental Justice Program

Strategic Vision Goal 5: Reduce or eliminate the disproportionate impacts of pollution on low-income and minority populations

Accomplishments for First Half of 2001

Assistant Secretary for Environmental Justice. Cal/EPA brought on board Romel Pascual as its new Assistant Secretary for Environmental Justice.

1. Environmental Justice Mission Statement: A draft Environmental Justice Mission Statement has been released, as set forth in Chapter 690, Statutes of 1999 (SB 115, Solis) and public comment is being received. In addition, Cal/EPA has conducted outreach efforts with several key environmental justice groups in Contra Costa County, Oakland, Los Angeles, and San Diego to discuss the mission statement and other elements of Agency’s environmental justice program. Additional outreach efforts are scheduled.

2. Inventory of Environmental Justice Efforts: Cal/EPA, in coordination with its Boards and Departments, has compiled a draft inventory of environmental justice activities in the Agency. This inventory is an initial step to identify gaps and opportunities to address environmental justice.

3. Environmental Justice Training: In collaboration with EPA Region 9 and the Governors Office of Planning and Research, Cal/EPA conducted 3 environmental justice trainings for state agency staff. Trainings participants included representatives from over 20 state agencies.

Priorities for the Second Half of 2001

1. Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice: Cal/EPA will establish an Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice to assist the Agency in the development and implementation of an interagency environmental justice strategy as set forth in Chapter 728, Statutes of 2000 (SB 89, Escutia). The Working Group will consist of the Secretary for Environmental Protection, the Chairs of the State Air Resources Board, the California Integrated Waste Management Board, and the State Water Resources Control Board, the Director of Toxic Substances Control, the Director of Pesticide Regulation, the Director of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, and the Director of the Office of Planning and Research.

2. External Environmental Justice Advisory Committee: Cal/EPA will establish an external Environmental Justice Advisory Committee to provide recommendations and to function as a resource in the development and implementation of environmental justice strategies. The Advisory Group will be made up of stakeholders representing, community groups, environmental organizations, air districts, local/regional planning agencies, CUPAs, and private industry as set forth in Chapter 728, Statutes of 2000 (SB 89, Escutia). Early Fall 2001

3. Outreach Meetings on the Development of Agency-wide Environmental Justice Strategy: Cal/EPA will conduct a series of outreach meetings throughout the State to solicit insights and advice on critical issues affecting environmental justice communities. These meetings are intended to guide Cal/EPA’s direction of its environmental justice program activities.

4. Strategic Plan: Cal/EPA, in collaboration with its boards, departments and offices, will develop a Strategic Plan for environmental justice. The Strategic Plan will be cross-media in nature and will involve stakeholder input.

5. Environmental Justice Assessment Project: Cal/EPA, in collaboration with its BDO’s, will explore mechanisms to establish a consistent approach in the way the Agency identifies, targets, and responds to communities experiencing disproportionately high and adverse human health and environmental burdens. The project aims to develop a GIS based tool that would identify and analyze communities with potential environmental justice concerns to better assist the Agency in planning, development and implementation programs, projects and policies.

6. Environmental Justice Lecture Series: In an effort to increase awareness on environmental justice, Cal/EPA will establish a year-long lecture series on environmental justice that will bring in community leaders, national advocates, researchers, and others to highlight cutting-edge work in the environmental justice field.

7. Environmental Justice Training: Cal/EPA will institute an on-going Environmental Justice Training Program for its staff. Monthly environmental justice trainings will be offered that cover both general environmental justice concepts, as well as media specific environmental justice applications.

8. Environmental Justice Webpage: Cal/EPA will establish an environmental justice website to facilitate increased access to environmental information and resources for stakeholders interested in environmental justice.

Environmental Excellence Projects

Accomplishments During the First Half of 2001

The Cal/EPA Innovation Initiatives Team has drafted the Environmental Performance Excellence (EPE) Program goals and structure to conduct facility-based pilot projects. The program has been discussed with a number of business groups, the EMS pilot project working groups and Non-Governmental Organizations to refine the concept, ascertain interest and gather support.

Priorities for the Second Half of 2001

The Team will gather input from the Cal/EPA boards and departments as well as the Cal/EPA EMS working groups to finalize the EPE Program goals and structure as appropriate. The Team will also continue ongoing dialog with companies in order to identify those that will participate in the facility-based EPE pilot projects.

Relationship to Strategic Vision: This project supports Goal 8 of the strategic vision to lead by example by engaging the business community in taking corporate responsibility for environmental improvement.

Brownfields

Blighted and contaminated lands are a significant problem facing many communities in California. Research indicates there may be as many as 90,000 such sites, also called “brownfields.” Private developers, local government and schools have been reluctant to redevelop brownfields due to a myriad of issues related to perceived or real hazardous contamination.

Accomplishments for the first half of 2001

1. Sponsored a bill to create the Financial Assurance and Insurance for Redevelopment Program (FAIR) to implement the second part of the Governor’s Urban Cleanup Initiative. The FAIR Program is a state-sponsored environmental insurance program that will provide low-cost environmental insurance products (including secured creditor, pollution liability, and cost overrun insurance) to developers of urban brownfields and others who are conducting cleanups in California. The program will also offer subsidies to assist in the payment of insurance premiums and deductibles at urban brownfield sites.

2. Began participation in an advisory group with the U.S. EPA (both headquarters and regional offices) and the States of Pennsylvania and Maryland to oversee the development and implementation of a pilot project on third party management of financial assurance of institutional controls.

3. Participated with the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), and Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCB), in efforts to examine the various state-overseen cleanup processes to identify differences between those processes and the potential impact of those differences.

Priorities during the second half of 2001

1. Once the environmental insurance bill is passed and in law, negotiate a contract for signature by the first of the year to hire a consultant to assist in implementing the program.

2. In conjunction with varied state agency programs that impact brownfields, including programs in the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, the Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency, the Health and Welfare Agency, as well as local governments, businesses, developers, environmental justice and environmental advocacy groups, initiate a Brownfields Steering Committee that will be charged with identifying impediments to brownfields development and developing resources and incentives to assist in their development.

3. Sponsor, along with DTSC, the first annual Western Regional Deal Flow Conference in November 2001, a conference designed to facilitate communication and coordination among all brownfields practitioners in the State.

4. In conjunction with DTSC, the SWRCB, and RWQCB, develop recommendations for improvement of the cleanup processes in the State, and to ensure the effective cross-media coordination of those processes.

Cal/EPA Border Affairs Unit

Accomplishments During the First Half of 2001

Border Environmental Affairs: The 2000 Budget Act appropriated funds to Cal/EPA and its BDO’s to address environmental impacts along the California - Mexico border region, to support Mexican bi-national efforts to improve the border environment and public health, and to participate fully in bi-national work groups addressing pollution issues along the California - Mexico border. To that end, Cal/EPA and its BDO’s have been working to address cross media and bi-national issues. In the past six months, Cal/EPA has:

1. Border Governors Conference: Cal/EPA, along with the State of Tamaulipas in Mexico, was the co-chair of the environmental worktable at the annual Border Governors Conference. A joint declaration was adopted addressing environmental concerns such as the response to natural disasters, inter-governmental communication and cooperation, and education.

2. Agreements of Cooperation with Mexico: Three agreements were signed with governments of Mexico during the visit of Mexican President Vicente Fox to California:

• The first agreement, entitled, "Agreement of Cooperation for a Pilot-Scale Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program for the City of Tijuana," is part of a two-year comprehensive air emissions control program for the Tijuana area.
• The second agreement is an agreement of cooperation for industrial wastewater monitoring and for technical assistance to implement a pretreatment program. This agreement will implement a three-year effort to coordinate the monitoring, pretreatment, and discharge of industrial wastewaters and will also provide related training to the northern Baja California cities of Mexicali, Tecate, and Tijuana.
• The third agreement is a joint declaration to implement joint activities for the conservation and sustainable development of the Sea of Cortez.

3. Memorandum of Understanding with the San Diego Natural History Museum. Cal/EPA entered into a memorandum of understanding with the San Diego Natural History Museum to establish a partnership to promote environmental education, sound environmental practices, and biological research to promote healthy border ecosystems.

4. Mexico City Coordination Trip. Staff of Cal/EPA attended meetings in Mexico City to discuss the implementation of the three Agreements of Cooperation. The delegation met with representatives of the National Institute of Ecology, Federal Prosecutors Office, National Water Commission, United States Ambassador, Secretary for Public Education, and Secretary for Agriculture.

Priorities for the Second Half of 2001

1. Ten States Retreat: Cal/EPA will be hosting the annual Ten States Retreat in September 2001 in Monterey, California. Representatives of agencies responsible for environmental quality and environmental protection for the States of Arizona, Baja California, California, Chihuahua, Coahuilla, New Mexico, Nuevo Leon, Sonora, Tamaulipas, and Texas will attend this meeting. The objectives of the retreat will include understanding different perspectives, exchanging information, and identifying common priorities among the ten states, as well as strengthening environmental programs in the border region through increased State-to-State cooperation, and the impact that two new Federal governments will have upon the States’ programs.

2. Border Environmental Program Employee Handbook: Cal/EPA will issue the employee handbook that will be utilized to enhance the effectiveness and safety of the out-of-country trips of Cal/EPA Border Coordinators.

3. Implementation of Agreements and Action Items from Mexico City Trips: Several of the agreements and action items will be implemented. These include the Tijuana smog check program and the industrial wastewater program in Northern Baja California.

Children’s Environmental Health Center

Accomplishments for First Half of 2001

1. In early 2001, Cal/EPA recruited and filled the position of Assistant Secretary for Children’s Environmental Health. Cal/EPA also recruited and filled, on a part-time basis, the position of Assistant Director of the Children’s Environmental Health Center (CEHC). The Assistant Director works with the Assistant Secretary in coordinating the statutorily mandated programs within Cal/EPA that address children’s environmental health issues. CEHC developed a work plan for the preparation of legislatively mandated (SB 25 and AB 2872) reports on Cal/EPA’s children’s health activities. The report is due to the Governor and the Legislature on January 1, 2002. Advisory committees on preparation of the report will be formed in the second half of the year.

CEHC coordinated with the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officers (ASTHO) in providing review of their report on “Children’s Environmental Health Profiles,” which is based on submissions from 42 states. CEHC collaborated with U.S. EPA Region 9 in selection of research proposals that would assess exposures to children from diesel school bus emissions. As part of its focus on outreach and educational efforts, the Center is collaborating with ECOS and ASTHO by participating on their steering committee to plan a Children’s Asthma Conference in San Diego in August 2001. CEHC also met with the Director of U.S. EPA’s Office of Children’s Health Protection and the Children’s Health Coordinator in U.S. EPA Region 9 to exchange information and ideas on each other’s programs and identify areas for collaboration. Additional meetings are planned for the second half of the year.

Priorities for the Second Half of 2001

1. During the second half of 2001, CEHC will co-host a conference on Childhood Asthma sponsored by ECOS, ASTHO, and the U.S. EPA. The conference will be in San Diego in August. As part of the CEHC’s role in coordinating agency programs for children’s health to meet Cal/EPA’s goal of an efficient and effective Agency, CEHC, in consultation with ARB, OEHHA, and DTSC, will report to the Governor and the Legislature Cal/EPA’s progress in implementing the Governor’s Children’s Environmental Health Initiative, and the requirements of SB 25 (Chapter 731, Statutes of 1999) and AB 2872 (Chapter 144, Statutes of 2000). As part of Cal/EPA’s management objective to expand and improve cross-media communications, collaboration, and training, CEHC will plan a “Children’s Environmental Health Awareness Day” that will feature speaker’s presentations and poster sessions on children’s environmental health programs within Cal/EPA. The symposium is planned for February 2002. To improve our public outreach and communications, CEHC will design a Web page with links to each Cal/EPA BDO’s children’s environmental health programs. The anticipated posting of the Web page would be early 2002. To promote an efficient and effective Cal/EPA in coordinating agency programs for children’s environmental health, CEHC will draft and circulate a Strategic Plan and seek approval in Winter of 2001.

Military Base Remediation And Re-Use

Accomplishments During the First Half of 2001

1. During the past six months, the Office of the Secretary has been instrumental in gaining acceptance, as planned in our prior goal, for the concept of land use controls as an effective means of protecting human health and the environment in an early transfer where a limited cleanup for a limited use has taken place, and where future uses may be different. In addition, the Office of the Secretary has created a co-equal role for staff to interact with staff at the Technology Trade and Commerce Agency to coordinate their mutual efforts at accelerating and simplifying the closed military base transition process in concert with local community leaders.

In particular, Cal/EPA has been instrumental in facilitating early transfers to several municipalities, most notably port facilities co-located or situated near closed military facilities.

Early transfer success in the past six months include transfers to the Ports of Long Beach, Oakland, Alameda, Stockton, and San Diego, as well as early transfer assistance at several land-locked Air Force and Army facilities.

2. The Office of the Secretary has made specific contributions to simplifying the Federal budgetary process as it relates to funding for environmental cleanups at closed military facilities. While specific guarantees are not yet in place, significant progress toward that objective has been made and will constitute a continuing objective for the next six months.

Priorities for the Second Half of 2001

1. To establish a fixed Department of Defense (DoD) budget line item which is protected within the DoD budget to address closed military facility cleanup costs. Without this protected and appropriated account, reprogrammings have worked unacceptable delays in cleanups required for complete transitions of facilities to civilian use.

2. To develop a further presence within the DoD budgetary and operational process to advance the concept of a single entity administrator within DoD to manage the transition of military facilities upon closing. This would enable the Service Chiefs to concentrate on operational missions and enable DoD to develop the in-house expertise to assist local communities in this complex task for managing the transition of the often times complex facilities to appropriate civilian objectives.

3. To secure the full payment of fees generated in the ordinary course of business for state environmental analyses of federal permit applications to modify facilities on active military bases. This objective addresses the contention by DoD and other federal officials that payment of fees for services rendered by state environmental agencies constitutes a limitation on the doctrine of sovereign immunity. Cal/EPA disagrees with that assessment and will be working toward a correction of that stand through the Office of the Governor in Washington, D.C.

4. To develop a continuing, closer tie with the Office of the Secretary for Technology, Trade and Commerce in defining criteria for future base closure analyses, assisting in efforts to maintain the current military presence in California, and to assist with the transition of any bases that close in the future.

Enforcement

Links to Strategic Visions and management priorities:

To achieve Cal EPA’s strategic vision of air that is healthy to breathe; rivers, lakes, estuaries and marine waters that are fishable and swimmable; groundwater that is safe for drinking and other beneficial uses; communities that are free from unacceptable human health and ecological risks due to exposure from hazardous substances and other potential harmful agents; and to reduce or eliminate the disproportionate impacts of pollution on low-income and minority populations, requires the full and fair enforcement of California's environmental protection laws.

To achieve Cal/EPA’ strategic goals of an efficient and effective Cal/EPA in pursuit of its mission and its management priority of establishing cross-media strategies and coordination, we must provide proper training on cross-media enforcement issues and coordination of cross-media investigations and enforcement actions.

Accomplishments for First Half of 2001

1. Cross-Media Training: The new two-week training inspector certification program for all Cal/EPA BDO’s and local agency field staff has been fully developed and delivered. The training, called “Cal/EPA Academy,” covers many basic investigation/inspection subjects including cross media issues. The first training session was held in Sacramento February-March 2001. Training sessions are planned to occur every quarter, with the fall session to be held in Southern California.

2. Cross-Media Investigations: The final report on the multi-media Chrome Plating Project was released in January 2001. This pilot project was coordinated by the Air Resources Board Compliance Division and reflects the work done by Cal/EPA staff (DTSC, SWRCB, RWQCB), in cooperation with U.S. EPA, Region IX, and a large number of local agencies. The study involved inspection of 37 chrome plating operations in the Los Angeles area in a multi-program fashion by incorporating representatives from appropriate State and local agencies into inspections where compliance with all media (air, hazardous waste and water), could be documented during a single visit. The chrome-plating project is significant because it marks one of the first times in California that a source category has been studied from a multi-media perspective in a systematic manner. It is our hope that studies of this type will enhance multimedia enforcement coordination and compliance assistance among Cal/EPA agencies.

One of the recommendations of the report is that another project be planned and executed on a yearly basis to further explore improving consistency of inspections and enforcement and to further explore opportunities for funding to assist local government with participation in such projects. Cal/EPA has convened a working group of its BDO’s and is working on a grant proposal to U.S. EPA for new grant money proposed for the next federal budget year. In designing the new cross media initiative we are seeking to attempt to integrate compliance assistance and enforcement in an effort to develop performance measures, measure compliance rates and improve data management.

The Office of the Secretary has continued to make enforcement case referrals to U.S. Attorneys, the California Attorney General and local District Attorneys pursuant to the authority granted by Government Code section 12812.2.

An intra-agency task force has been assembled to coordinate use of the Air Resources Board staff who act as the agency’s cross-media enforcement unit pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding signed last year and to coordinate use of other BDO staff for cross media investigations. Several cross-media investigations are underway.

3. Enforcement Programs: Recruitment has been completed for the legal/enforcement staff in the Office of the Secretary. Positions recently filled are Associate Governmental Program Analyst (to assist on generating reports, enforcement information, and policy issues), Environmental Specialist (Data/IT manager) (to address cross-media enforcement data management issues), Office Technician and Staff Counsel.

Efforts are underway to secure permanent funding for the Circuit Prosecutor Project that is in the final year of its three-year pilot. Permanent funding for the Circuit Prosecutor Project was proposed in the Governor’s Budget.

A review of the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) enforcement issues was conducted and a report sent to the Legislature on improvements needed. This report, "Recommendations to Improve Unified Program Enforcement Consistency,” (January 2001) is available on Cal/EPA’s Web site, www.calepa.ca.gov.

Improvements were made on information accessibility. The Office of the Secretary Web site now has enforcement reports (CUPA Improvement, Chrome Platers) and a list of Cal/EPA contacts for local environmental enforcement task forces.

Communication with prosecutors, such as District Attorneys, the California Attorney General and U.S. Attorneys has been improved by the implementation of quarterly roundtable discussions. These meetings are held in both Northern and Southern California.

For information on CUPA enforcement, see separate report under CUPA programs.

Priorities for the Second Half of 2001

Cross Media Enforcement Training

• Begin the process to review Cal/EPA’s Annual Enforcement Symposium seminar to contain more advanced curriculum and begin to eliminate the overlap between the new Cal/EPA Inspector Academy and the Enforcement Symposium.
• Deliver a session of the Cal/EPA Inspector Academy in Southern California.
• Cross-Media Investigations: Complete a grant proposal and submit to U.S. EPA for
  cross-media investigation initiatives.
• Continue to make referrals on cross media investigations U.S. Attorneys, the California Attorney General and local District Attorneys pursuant to the authority granted by Government Code
  Section 12812.2.

Unified Program

The Unified Program was created by the Legislature in 1993 and became law in 1994. The program combines the implementation and administration of six previously distinct hazardous substances regulatory programs into a single program under the direction of a Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA). The intent of the program is to improve public health and environmental protection by improving coordination and consistency in the implementation of the six unified programs through consolidation. The six program elements included in the program are the underground storage tank program, the above ground tank program, the hazardous waste generator program, the hazardous materials business plan program, the accidental release of hazardous substances program, and the hazardous materials elements of the Fire Code. Collectively the Unified Program regulates 120,000 businesses within California.

Accomplishments for First Half of 2001

1. Rural CUPA Assistance Funding: Currently there are 15 counties in California in which a CUPA exists. Within these counties only partial programs have been implemented leaving gaps in public health and the environment protection. One of the reasons that counties have not become a CUPA is their inability to fund the program through fees assessed on regulated businesses. This inability to fund a local rural program through fees alone was confirmed in a report developed by Cal/EPA and given to the legislature in January of 2001. SB 1824 (Chapter 730, September 2000) created the Rural CUPA Reimbursement Account. This account will allow for a grant of up to $60,000 annually to each county that is currently not a CUPA, which becomes a CUPA. As a result of these funds becoming available in the Fiscal Year (FY) 01-02 budget, 13 counties have indicated they intend to now become CUPAs.

2. Non-CUPA County Development: To assists counties which are not certified to operate the Unified Program in becoming certified, Cal/EPA has written several guidance documents on how to become a CUPA and held several training sessions with non-CUPAs.

3. Unified Program Statewide Standards: Cal/EPA developed a report to the legislature on the statewide standards that are developed or are planned to be developed for the Unified Program. This report identified several hundred regulatory standards the CUPAs must meet in order to function in the way intended in statute.

4. Unified Program Information Management: AB 2872 (Chapter 144, July 2000) requires the Secretary of Cal/EPA to establish an electronic geographical information management system for the Unified Program. The first step in development of this data system is the development of a Feasibility Study Report (FSR), which describes the system to be developed, the process to be used for development, and the cost. A FSR for this data system has been completed and submitted to the Department of Information Technology for approval, prior to requests for funding being submitted in the FY 02/03 budgets.

5. Unified Program Enforcement: Cal/EPA entered into an agreement with CUPAs statewide to improve the administrative enforcement process for the hazardous waste program. This improvement program has resulted in the development of a standardized enforcement program plan, the development of standardized administrative order process, and the training of individuals from all 69 CUPAs in how to issue administrative orders for violations of the hazardous waste laws.

6. New Unified Programs: The Secretary for Cal/EPA has certified three new CUPAs, all of which will begin conducting the program in July of 2001. These new programs are in the County of Yuba and the Cities of Anaheim and Sunnyvale.

Priorities for the Second Half of 2001

1. Information Management: Develop a Geographical Information System (GIS) for data collected pursuant to Unified Program requirements. The first phase of development for this system will be completed by December of 2002. The first phase of development will result in the creation of a Web-based GIS system that will display all of the businesses regulated by the Unified Program and identify under what program that businesses is regulated. It is estimated this inventory of regulated businesses will contain hazardous material information on 120,000 regulated businesses.

2. Non-CUPAs: Certify all of the jurisdictions that are not currently CUPAs or have a state-managed CUPA in place by July of 2002. This effort will complete the establishment of a statewide coordinated and consistent hazardous substance and hazardous waste program within California.

3. Enforcement standardization: The administrative enforcement process for hazardous waste program will be implemented by all CUPAs in 2001. All six of the Unified Program enforcement processes will be evaluated with the intent to seek standardization between all Unified Program elements. Standardization of the enforcement process will provide significant new enforcement tools for many of the Unified Program elements. Once developed the use of these new tools will improve compliance with environmental laws and provide consistency between the various programs, further enhancing the Cal/EPA multi-media approach to environmental compliance.

Quality Programs

Accomplishments During the First Half of 2001

All fall under the Strategic Vision Goal #8: An efficient and effective Cal/EPA in pursuit of its mission.

1. Strategic Vision Implementation: Cal/EPA’s Strategic Vision Implementation Team, comprised of representatives from each BDO of Cal/EPA, and Office of the Secretary personnel, met on a bi-weekly basis. The purpose of these meetings was to review and discuss each BDO strategic plan from a cross-media (interdisciplinary) perspective and collaborate in the development of each respective strategic plan. The Office of the Secretary advised that each BDO strategic plan must reference and show direct linkages to the objectives as stated in Cal/EPA’s Strategic Vision.

2. New Cal/EPA Building: A cross-organizational Disability Advisory Council was formed with the mission of achieving parity for, raise awareness of, and ensure accessibility for persons with disabilities. Meeting on a monthly basis, this advisory body will be a resource for employees with disabilities, will assist management in identifying ways to increase representation, career development, and retention of persons with disabilities, and will recommend policy/program changes to ensure a positive working environment for employees with disabilities.

A Building EMS Group has been formed to guide the development of an EMS for Cal/EPA and to develop an operational work plan, focusing on six-month, one-year, and three-year goals and objectives.

The City of Sacramento, in collaboration with Cal/EPA representatives and Thomas Properties Group, held a grand opening and building dedication ceremony on Saturday, April 21, 2001. The building was open to the public and attendees were encouraged to view the Art in Public Places artwork throughout the building and courtyard. Cal/EPA held an employee-focused open house and Earth Day celebration on Monday, April 23, 2001. This event offered employees time to tour the building, music, food and beverages, and recognition of those actively involved in pre-and-post move-in activities.

3. Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Awards: Cal/EPA and the Resources Agency developed a 2001 program workplan setting forth tasks, timeframes, and lead personnel for the myriad of responsibilities related to the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Awards program for 2001. The planning team identified enhancements to the existing program in the areas of award categorization, outreach, funding, and involvement with the Governor’s Office. For the first time since the award program’s inception, a presentation was made at the Undersecretaries Meeting eliciting involvement and support; contact was also made with the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research.

Priorities for the Second Half of 2001

All fall under the Strategic Vision Goal #8: An efficient and effective Cal/EPA in pursuit of its mission.

1. Strategic Vision Implementation: Strategic Vision Implementation Team meetings will continue through August 2001 and BDO strategic plans will be forwarded to the Office of the Secretary for review and approval. In addition to BDO strategic plans, Cal/EPA’s Strategic Vision will be interwoven into implementation workplans, budget and legislative processes, and the Environmental Protection Indicators for California (EPIC) project.

2. New Cal/EPA Building: Work will continue on the transition and acclimation of staff to the new building in terms of improved communication, collaboration, and increased effectiveness. An internal all-staff on-line directory will be fully operational and utilized by Cal/EPA staff members to obtain telephone and fax numbers, e-mail addresses, and office location information.

3. Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Awards: With an anticipated ceremony date in late November 2001, Cal/EPA and the Resources Agency will be actively involved in creating the 2001 award application, disseminating the application to a broad audience within and beyond California, obtaining additional funding, developing Web site information for the Governor’s Office, receiving, reviewing, and categorizing award applications, and all additional responsibilities in preparation for announcing award winners for 2001 in October 2001.

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