Integrated Waste Management Board

2001 Accomplishments and Priorities

Our mission is to reduce the generation and improve the management of solid waste in California to conserve resources, develop sustainable recycling markets, and protect public health and safety, and the environment. We do this in partnership with public agencies, industry, business, and the public we serve.

Energy

Accomplishments during the First Half of 2001

1. Conversion Technologies Forum: Even with increased efforts to divert organic materials, two-thirds (about 15 million tons) of collected organic materials are still destined for landfills. Another 10 million tons of paper materials also are landfilled. Both of these figures are likely to rise as population growth continues in the state. These trends, and related ones in agricultural and forest residue management, may profoundly impact the ability of local jurisdictions to meet and sustain diversion requirements, and the longevity of landfills around the State. Therefore, IWMB sponsored a "2001 Conversion Technologies for Municipal Residuals" Forum on May 3-4, 2001, in Sacramento. The forum explored whether conversion technologies such as hydrolysis and gasification might be able to take organic materials that cannot be composted and low-grade paper that cannot be recycled and convert them into high-value products such as energy, ethanol and other fuels, and citric acid and other industrial products. About 160 stakeholders, including IWMB facilitators and note-takers, attended. At its May 22-23, 2001 meeting IWMB approved a number of recommendations from the Forum (see Priorities below).

Priorities for the Second Half of 2001

1. Conversion Technologies: Staff will begin implementation of the following recommendations from the "2001 Conversion Technologies For Municipal Residuals" Forum, which were approved by the Board in May:

• Work with Cal/EPA, Resources Agency, Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency, other State agencies, and the Governor's Office on establishing a formal working group on conversion technologies and related biomass issues and an external advisory group
• Begin planning follow-up public education workshops and symposia that focus on county and city officials and the general public.
• Develop a budget change proposal seeking support for a grant program for small-scale demonstration projects that produce energy and fuels, lifecycle assessments of environmental and economic costs and benefits, and assessments of policy and financial incentives, feedstock availability, and product markets.
• Work with California Pollution Control Financing Authority, Technology Trade and Commerce Agency, and other State agencies, and with the Federal Biomass R&D Council, to ascertain existing funding availability for conversion technology projects.
• Work with Cal/EPA to assist project applicants in the permitting process and to establish Environmental Management System guidelines and assistance for companies attempting to site in California.

Cross Media

Accomplishments during First Half of 2001

1. Electronic Discards - "E-waste" - Emerges as Hot Topic: Widely regarded as the fastest growing component of the municipal waste stream, discarded electronic products are presenting both challenges and opportunities to government and industry. The rate of increase in e-waste generation is due to advances in technology, reductions in price, and the general pervasiveness of electronic products in modern life. An estimated half billion computers in the U.S. may become obsolete and require disposal options within the next five years. While regulatory issues associated with hazardous materials used in the manufacture of computers, monitors, and other gadgets are being revisited by DTSC; IWMB has established a Website to provide guidance and up-to-date information to constituents, www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Electronics/. IWMB has also contracted to conduct a baseline study assessing the scope of the issue, and to develop procurement and end-of-life management guidelines.

2. Joint Waste Board/Water Board Meeting: IWMB and the State Water Resources Control Board held a joint Board Meeting on May 24, 2001, to discuss coordination opportunities between Waste and Water Board programs. Board members identified many such opportunities and have committed to meet regularly in the future to ensure that both agencies work together collaboratively in the future.

3. Landfill Study: The contractor for the study provided a status update at the IWMB's
April 24, 2001, meeting, including a brief overview of the process and some of the early findings. The contractor has completed data gathering for Task 1 - a checklist of pertinent environmental regulatory requirements (federal, state, and local) and Task 2 - a comprehensive inventory of MSW landfills. The information will be provided to IWMB for review and comment by late May - early June 2001.

4. Environmental Justice: At its April 2001, meeting, the Board directed staff to develop a detailed project schedule and timeline for an analysis of the programs designed to identify opportunities to address potential environmental justice impacts. Additionally, IWMB staff was directed to pursue use of a contractor to assist in scoping the overall effort to draft strategies and collect data to address environmental justice issues in IWMB programs.

5. Product Stewardship Institute: Through Cal/EPA, the State of California is now a member in the National Product Stewardship Institute. Board member Michael Paparian represents California in this group. The Institute is a permanent organization that will assist states across the country to promote environmentally sound product management and design. The Institute will work with the manufacturing and recycling industries as well as government to develop sustainable solutions. Action Plans have been developed for five priority products - electronics, mercury products, pesticides, paint and carpet.

6. Landscape Management Outreach Programs: Leaves, grass, prunings and yard trimmings make up over ten percent of the materials landfilled in California. Encouraging the adoption and use of resource efficient landscaping practices is a major IWMB priority. IWMB has funded several projects to promote these practices.

• IWMB has partnered with local governments to implement projects in the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento River Delta, Inland Empire and Orange County that reduce green waste, conserve water, and minimize non-point source pollution. The "Resource Efficient Landscaping Practices" workshop in San Francisco on February 28, 2001 and the "Turf Maintenance Seminar for Landscape Professionals" in Stockton on March13, 2001 drew over 180 professional landscapers. 
• The North Natomas project in Sacramento County is focusing on developing landscape design/water use guidelines for the new community that is being built. The goals of this project will be accomplished by distributing educational materials to promote the use of environmentally beneficial landscape management practices that prevent storm water pollution from toxic chemicals, prevent runoff and conserve water, and reduce the flow of green waste debris into the storm drain system. 
• The Capitol Park project in Sacramento is exploring the use of resource-efficient landscaping practices in this unique and highly visible environment. The project will assess landscaping practices, including irrigation, fertilization, pruning, pesticide usage, types of equipment used, and green material generation; and determine whether composting landscape trimmings at a nearby corporation yard is a cost effective method of diverting green material from the park. A landscaping guidelines manual will be developed and used to train park staff.

7. Paint Initiative: In January 2001, board members approved staff recommendations to develop legislative proposal to: 1) create a waste paint management program supported by a fee on the sale of new architectural coatings; 2) provide enforcement provisions for State agency procurement of recycled products; and 3) enhance green procurement requirements for local governments and other program participants. Proposed language has been developed.

8. Antifreeze Management Plan: Board members will consider recommendations for addressing antifreeze management in June 2001.

9. Training: Staff conducted several workshops on illegal dumping in coordination with a variety of State, federal and local agencies that share concerns about this problem. Key issues involved lack of funding and resources for local programs. Staff helped develop networking opportunities and brought information on model programs to officials throughout the state in an effort to share opportunities and knowledge of how to make a program work.

Priorities for the Second Half 2001

1. E-waste: IWMB will focus on three major areas to address e-waste: product stewardship (through the National Electronic Product Stewardship Initiative); providing input to DTSC on regulations; and program development within IWMB to address local government needs. IWMB will also be working to formalize the e-waste working group as an Interagency Working Group and defining the goals of the group, as well as roles and responsibilities. Board member Michael Paparian will continue to serve as the Cal/EPA representative at the National Electronic Product Stewardship Initiative.

2. Landfill Study: Data compiled by the contractor in Phase I of the study will be provided to regulators, landfill owners/operators, and other interested parties for review and comment. The contractor will address comments in the Phase I report, which will present the landfill data collected, results of an assessment of the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) landfill performance in the state, and recommendations on 40-plus MSW landfills from the Phase I portion of the study that should be included in Phase II. IWMB will consider approval of the Phase I report. The contractor will begin working on the Phase II portion of the study, which builds upon the information collected in Phase I, assessing the effectiveness of current regulatory standards for MSW landfills on a short- and long-term basis.

3. Environmental Justice: IWMB staff will develop the detailed project plan for an assessment of programs and present it to the board members for approval and direction, as well as pursuing a contractor for assistance with the project. Once the project plan is approved, IWMB staff will proceed with implementation.

4. Landscape Management Outreach Programs: Many of the IWMB -funded and other landscape management-related activities will continue. With continued funding uncertain, there will be an increased need to develop partnerships with other agencies and private organizations to promote the use of resource efficient landscaping practices. Cooperative activities with various agencies and organizations will enable staff to leverage their efforts and continue to promotional activities. An example of a partnership is a cooperative effort between IWMB and the State Water Board's non-point source pollution program.

5. Activities with both the North Natomas and Capital Park projects will continue. Results from both these projects will be valuable in developing new projects in other locations, either in new or existing developments or large parks. IWMB staff has applied for a 2001 Pollution Prevention Incentives for States Grant from the US EPA to expand the North Natomas project.

6. Antifreeze Plan: IWMB Staff will implement direction from the board members concerning the antifreeze management plan. This may include drafting a legislative proposal.

Strategic Planning

Accomplishments during the First Half of 2001

1. IWMB has conducted an internal and external assessment of priority issues that should be addressed in the 2001 Strategic Plan. Based upon the results of this assessment, and input from board members, the first four elements of the IWMB's Plan have been drafted for discussion.

Priorities for the Second Half of 2001

1. IWMB staff will continue to work with board members to draft the remaining elements of the Board's Plan. Additionally IWMB staff will incorporate input from the Cal/EPA Strategic Vision Team (BDO cross media opportunities) into the plan, and prepare a final draft for Cal/EPA comment and board member review and adoption.

Loans/Grants

Accomplishments during the First Half of 2001

1. Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ) Loan Program: Loans to four recycling businesses, totaling approximately $2,250,000, were funded, bringing fiscal year 2000/01 totals to ten businesses funded, and approximately $5,500,000 lent out. Also during this period, Board staff continued its efforts to pursue appropriate leveraging options to increase funds available for recycling businesses. Those efforts resulted in Board approval of a comprehensive Scope of Work to investigate most feasible private, nonprofit and public leveraging options.

2. Facility Compliance Loan Program: In January 2001 the Board made seven loans -- five to the public sector and two to the private -- totaling $2.88 million, for the purpose of mitigating environmental problems at solid waste facilities. The loans were made under the authority of the Facility Compliance Loan Program, authorized by the legislature in 1999. Loan recipients are the operators of:

• Siskiyou Co./Black Butte Landfill
• Tehama Co./Red Bluff Landfill
• Mono County/Bridgeport Landfill
• Glenn County Transfer Station
• City of Santa Cruz Landfill
• Tehachapi Recycling Inc./Kern Co.
• Si-Nor, Inc. Materials Recovery/Los Angeles Co.

3. Enforcement Assistance Grant Program: The Enforcement Grant program provided a total of $1.5 million in annual grants to local enforcement agencies to assist with enforcement program implementation. This year, IWMB will initiate a rulemaking that states the process for this program.

4. Farm and Ranch Grant Program: IWMB has awarded four grants, totaling $149,063, to the City of Fontana, Amador County, Imperial County, and Kings County. Since January 1, 2001, IWMB has significantly increased resources committed to outreach and assistance to potential grantees.

5. Playground Grant Program: The first cycle of the Park Playground Accessibility and Recycling Grant Program received 84 applications; 56 were funded at the May 22, 2001, board meeting for a total of $2,543,000. Board members approved the criteria and other program specifics for the second cycle of this grant program at its May 14, 2001, meeting. Notice of funds available (NOFA) was mailed in late May and applications in June. Staff is finalizing the regulations for the Playground Safety And Recycling Act Grant Program (AB 1055). These regulations were sent the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) in May for approval to begin the 45-day public comment period.

5. Household Hazardous Waste Grants: For fiscal year 2000-2001, IWMB awarded 
$3 million in grants to 16 local governments in June 2001.

Priorities for the Second Half of 2001

1. Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ) Loan Program: With the assistance of an outside contractor, staff will identify the best leveraging options that will help secure long term funding for the RMDZ Loan Program. Once best options are identified, staff will take immediate steps to implement them. During this time frame, staff will focus on funding additional loans for recycling businesses; approximately $10,000,000 will be available for new loans for the 2001/02 fiscal year.

2. Playground Grant Program: Staff will respond to comments on the Playground Safety and Recycling Act Grant Program regulations, schedule a formal hearing, and submit the final rulemaking file to OAL.

3. Used Oil Grants: Board members will award $10 million in 2001/02 used oil block grants in July 2001. IWMB Staff will seek approval from the Board in October 2001, of the scoring criteria and evaluation process for used oil opportunity grants. Grant application packets will be available in November 2001.

4. Household Hazardous Waste Grants: Board members will award $3 million in HHW Grants for fiscal year 2001/2002 in August 2001.

Site Cleanup

Accomplishments during the First Half of 2001

1. Solid Waste Site Cleanup Program: IWMB completed the cleanup of the Llano Illegal Disposal Site (Los Angeles County) and two illegal disposal sites within the Mojave National Preserve (San Bernardino County). IWMB approved cleanup of the Brawley Landfill (Imperial County) in January 2001, and will consider funding several other site cleanups in June 2001. The program has increased the leveraging of IWMB funds through partnerships with public agencies and responsible parties under IWMB -managed cleanups. Outreach and assistance to public agencies have been enhanced, including a recent training program on illegal dumping attended by over 220 local, State, and federal agencies, and startup of the new Closed, Illegal and Abandoned Site Program.

Priorities for the Second Half of 2001

1. Closed, Illegal, and Abandoned Sites: IWMB's Closed, Illegal, and Abandoned (CIA) Sites Unit will begin conducting Phase I investigations of approximately 500 known and suspected burn dumps in the state. The Cal/EPA Burn Dump Work Group will use information gathered through these investigations to better facilitate the regulation and remediation of burn dumps.

Public Awareness

Accomplishments during the Second Half of 2001

1. 2000 Annual Report: In completing its Annual Report to the Legislature for 2000, IWMB set a new example for State agency publications, using its award-winning Website to create an expanded report that serves as a portal to current online information about all the programs. IWMB is keenly interested in promoting conservation through the efficient use of resources and energy, and believes that its online 2000 Annual Report creates a new standard for doing so.

2. Video Production Unit: A small video production unit was launched to document board member and board activities that already include videotaping the Recycled Content Product Trade Show, the Cal/EPA building open house, Disney's Environmentality program, and the Conversion Technologies Forum sponsored by IWMB. The unit will produce promotional and documentary video for television and Web-cast.

Priorities for the Second Half of 2001

1. E-waste Public/Media Relations Campaign: The Department of Toxic Substances Control's (DTSC) ruling that discarded computer monitors and televisions containing cathode ray tubes (CRTs) are hazardous waste creates an immediate need for a comprehensive effort by the State to explain alternative strategies to the public for handling these common household items. An estimated 30 million PC and television monitors are headed for obsolescence in California within the next few years. IWMB is working with DTSC, U.S. EPA, computer manufacturers, a fledgling reuse/recycling industry and other stakeholders to develop new ways to manage CRTs that will facilitate their collection and recycling within the hazardous waste framework, while keeping electronic products out of municipal solid waste landfills.

2. Media Relations for Fifty Percent Diversion Mandate: Beginning in fall 2001, IWMB will initiate review and consideration of approval of jurisdictions' 1999 and 2000 diversion numbers. The statutory fifty percent mandate for 2000 has driven substantial media attention, which will increase significantly as the Board prepares to act on final diversion numbers. IWMB's Public Affairs Office will develop and implement a media relations effort to build positive coverage of these actions.

3. Media Campaign for Waste Tire Cleanup, Marketing and Safe Disposal: With approval of the Governor's 2001-02 Budget, IWMB will increase its efforts to address the state's problem of waste tire management. An integral component of this effort will be media-driven, and IWMB will develop and implement a media relations campaign to support the program.

Integrated Education

Accomplishments during the First Half of 2001

1. California Science Teachers Association Curriculum Project: IWMB approved the scope of work for the California Science Teachers Association web partnership in February. The partnership will produce case studies on environmental themes that can be downloaded by secondary teachers. The product will be an environmental issue with technical reports for students to read and research. Lessons, tied to California education standards, will be developed for teachers to use to support the students' work. Top science teachers are now working with Cal/EPA technical staff to develop the case studies. The first pilot case study will be "Landfills." The partnership has already created an outline for the unit, along with seven lessons for a sub-unit.

2. Border Education: An interagency agreement with the Lake County Office of Education has been executed to provide for a curriculum specialist to develop the lessons for the Border Education effort. Teachers in Mexico have been surveyed to determine top issues, priorities for lessons, and teaching strategies. This information has been summarized for the curriculum specialist who will begin drafting the appropriate lessons for the "anthology."

3. Listening Sessions: Twelve listening sessions have been conducted around the state. The twelfth session, hosted by Secretary Winston H. Hickox, targeted governmental officials and was held on May 8, 2001. Executive directors from State agencies and members of Legislature were invited to provide input on the status of environmental education in California. Listening Session Reports have been prepared which summarize the input gathered at each session along with strategies for addressing the various issues identified as being priorities to be folded into a Statewide Environmental Education Plan.

4. K-12 Alliance Partnership: The contractor, K-12 Alliance, held a train the trainer workshop in Ontario from May 10-12. Thirty-nine mentor teachers from regions throughout the state received training in the Earth Resources curriculum. These teachers will now become come facilitators and conduct workshops for teachers within their respective regions.

Priorities for the Second Half of 2001

1. California Science Teachers Association Curriculum Project(CSTA): The goal is to have the "Landfill" curriculum field test-ready by October and to showcase the effort at the CSTA annual conference on October 25, 2001.

2. Border Education: Tasks to be accomplished are translating the anthology of lessons for Closing the Loop and other curricula into Spanish, and having this ready for a central workshop to be held at the University of Baja in fall 2001. The workshop will also be televised at other locations in Baja.

3. Statewide Strategic Plan for Environmental Education: The Office of Integrated Education is part of a strategic planning team that is using the findings from the twelve listening sessions to mold into a statewide strategic plan for environmental education. The final product will be available fall 2001.

4. K-12 Alliance Partnership: Trained facilitators will begin submitting teacher workshop proposals for training dates beginning in July 2001 and wrapping up by April 2002. The goal is to train 720 teachers statewide in the Earth Resources curriculum. The contractor will provide a status report on the train-the-trainer effort at the end of 2001.

5. Interactive Web site: IWMB has been working on an interactive, animated web-based project since July 2000. Geared for 3rd grade students, the site will teach students about vermicomposting as well as the 3 R's - reduce, reuse, and recycle. Students will publish the final product on the Internet for access at home or in the classroom. The project is approximately 50 percent complete. The team continues to meet to fine-tune the dialog, logic flow, scene renderings and voiceover and music elements. By summer 2001, the project should be ready to demo with students and teachers (at year-round schools, summer schools, and children's museums). By October 2001, the project will be ready to showcase at the annual CSTA conference.

Waste Diversion/Waste Prevention

Accomplishments during the First Half of 2001

1. Food Scrap Activities: Nearly 16 percent of California's waste stream consists of food scraps. The Board has developed resource and educational tools to help divert this material.

• A new web page dedicated to handling food scraps is now available at www.ciwmb.ca.gov/FoodWaste. This website provides information to local jurisdictions, institutions such as prisons, hospitals and schools, and commercial businesses which generate food scraps. Featured topics include food waste prevention tips, food donation, composting, case studies and additional resources.
• IWMB conducted two regional food scrap diversion workshops for local government, private businesses, and other organizations. Attendees learned decision-making tools and best management practices for handling food scraps and the potential for further development of the existing regional food management infrastructure.

2. Waste Reduction Program: With the cooperation of the boards, departments, and Offices of Cal/EPA and Thomas Properties, the Waste Reduction Program was implemented in the Cal/EPA headquarters building on March 27, 2001. This is a model waste prevention and recycling program that will showcase new and innovative techniques that State agencies and other large building occupants can use to reduce waste.

3. Biennial Review of Jurisdictions' Progress in Implementing Diversion Programs and Time Extensions for Local Diversion Programs:Since January 2001, IWMB staff has completed seventeen 1997/1998 Source Reduction and Recycling Element/Household Hazardous Waste Element (SRRE/HHWE) Biennial Reviews. To date applications have not been received for time extensions for meeting the 50 percent diversion requirement. Staff anticipates that the majority of requests will be submitted with the 2000 Annual Report, due by August 1, 2001.

4. School District Diversion Project: IWMB is developing a model materials and solid waste management program for school districts and other institutions. The project selected six pilot districts, evaluated the materials management and solid waste practices of each, and provided program recommendations back to each district. IWMB is also developing a web-based resource guide for school district waste reduction program implementation.

5. Implementation of State Agency Diversion Program: AB 75 requires State agencies to develop and prepare Integrated Waste Management Plans (IWMP) and submit them to the Board by July 15, 2001, for review and approval. Over 450 IWMP's were submitted to the Board. Staff is now finalizing the plan reviews as required by AB 75. IWMB staff continues to implement and monitor master contracts that assist large State agencies and offices to recycle their office paper, steel, and other materials. Master contracts serve as an incentive since they provide an expedient way for state agencies to participate in the State's overall recycling and waste diversion efforts.

6. Disposal Reporting System Recommendations: As required by SB 2202, IWMB established a working group to evaluate the disposal reporting system (Public Resources Code Section 41821.5) and submit a report to the Legislature, with options for improvements and modifications to the disposal reporting system, by January 1, 2002. IWMB held two public workshops, in January and February 2001, to consider public input on issues to address and options for modifications and improvements. IWMB also established three additional work groups to help complete a comprehensive review of the entire diversion measurement system. These work groups met nine times from March through May 2000, to discuss issues and begin to identify solutions.

Priorities for the Second Half of 2001

1. Food Scrap Management: Three additional food scrap diversion workshops will be completed by the end of 2001, for a total of five workshops serving 14 counties. Staff will continue to compile information on jurisdictions and private entities that are conducting food scrap management programs, and on technologies that can be used to process and compost food scraps. Results of five Board-funded school and local agency food scrap diversion projects will be placed on the Board's website www.ciwmb.ca.gov/FoodWaste.

2. Annual Business Waste Reduction Recognition Aims for Record: To recognize the immense contribution that voluntary efforts by private businesses make to local diversion success, the Board administers the Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP) to showcase the accomplishments of those businesses that prevent waste, recycle, and buy recycled products. WRAP 2000 saw a three-fold growth in winners from the previous year, with over 1,800 businesses honored for their resource efficient operations. The program aims to exceed that record number of businesses recognized when 2001 applications are scored and considered in the fall.

3. Biennial Review of Jurisdictions' Progress in Implementing Diversion Programs and Time Extensions for Local Diversion Programs: IWMB staff should complete 34 of the 35 remaining 1997/1998 biennial reviews by October 2001. Of the 35 biennial reviews remaining, 29 are of jurisdictions that were placed on a compliance order for not implementing their Source Reduction and Recycling Element/Household Hazardous Waste Element (SRRE/HHWE). All but one of the 29 jurisdictions will still be on a compliance schedule for implementing their SRRE/HHWE.

4. School District Diversion Project: In the fall of 2001, IWMB will provide assistance to school districts to help them implement proposed recommendations from the school district diversion project. This effort will target school district administrators and department managers through their professional associations and organizations. The outreach plan will focus on promoting the value and benefits of implementing district-wide waste reduction and green procurement policies. The web guide for school districts will be available on IWMB's Website in fall 2001.

5. Implementation of State Agency Diversion Program: Staff will be focusing on a greater level of out-reach services to State entities, by providing technical assistance to help them meet the 25 percent and 50 percent mandated goals. IWMB is developing an awards program as required under AB 75 to recognize State agencies for their efforts in meeting the diversion requirements. As envisioned, the program will be very similar to the existing Trash Cutters awards program that recognizes innovative local diversion efforts.

6. Completion of SB 2202 Report: Recommendations from the SB 2202 working groups, along with recommendations from IWMB staff, will be included in a draft report and made available for 30-day public comment in July 2001. Based on public comments received, the draft report will be revised in August 2001. IWMB will consider the final report in October 2001. The report to the Legislature will be filed by January 2002.

Market Development

Accomplishments for the First Half of 2001

1. State Agency Buy Recycled Campaign (SABRC)/Recycled Content Tradeshow: The Second Annual Recycled Product Trade Show again was a huge success. This is the premiere venue for State agency, local government and private sector procurement personnel to learn about recycled-content products. Approximately 1,500 attendees enjoyed 140 exhibits of a wide variety of recycled-content products and supplies. Evaluations from attendees and exhibitors were very encouraging for another strong showing at next year's event, April 2002 in Disneyland.

2. Implementation of Executive Order D-16-00: IWMB staff, with the State and Consumer Services Agency, has been instrumental in drafting the plan, Building California's Sustainable Future, A Blueprint for State Facilities (Blueprint), which is designed to implement the Governor's Sustainable Building Executive Order (D-16-00). To create this plan, Secretary Aileen Adams of the State and Consumer Services Agency convened an interdisciplinary Sustainable Building Task Force comprised of representatives from various state departments, including IWMB, ARB and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. The Blueprint shows a strong commitment to build sustainability and advances many goals of IWMB and Cal/EPA, including greater use of recycled content products; more efficient use of construction and demolition materials; better landscaping designs that require less water, fewer pesticides, and incorporate mulches and compost; improved indoor air quality; and greater energy efficiency.

Priorities for the Second Half 2001

1. Implementation of Executive Order D-16-00: The Sustainable Building Task Force will be seeking final approvals on the Blueprint. IWMB will continue its direct involvement in the successful implementation of the Blueprint by monitoring progress and the completion of assignments by Task Force members, as well as fulfilling its own assigned tasks. These tasks include creating and maintaining a Sustainable Building Task Force website; developing an electronic "tool kit" of educational and training materials; drafting performance standards for State buildings and schools (through the Collaborative for High Performance Schools); developing a reference specification for state buildings that incorporates environmental performance standards; encouraging the on-going activities of the California Green Building Collaborative, a network of local governments with green building activities; and working with the Departments of Finance and General Services to foster the use of life-cycle costing, which is essential for justifying the higher initial costs of some sustainable building practices.

2. Plastics "White Paper": IWMB, in cooperation with the Department of Conservation, will be developing an issue paper, or "White Paper," to systematically analyze the manufacturing, use, disposal and recycling of plastics in California. The amount of plastic in California's waste stream is growing because the use of plastic is outpacing the increased recycling of plastic. The White Paper will develop innovative solutions for overcoming the obstacles faced by local jurisdictions, waste haulers, and recyclers in their attempts to collect more plastic from the waste stream, and by manufacturers in their attempts to use more post-consumer resin in products and packaging. This will also help IWMB refocus its efforts in the management of plastics from rigid plastic packaging containers to all types of plastics within the waste stream. The ultimate goal is to increase the recycling of plastic, to increase the use of recycled plastic and to conserve resources.

3. Develop Key Organics Partnerships: Staff will continue to seek to develop partnerships with government and industry entities to promote the use of urban derived compost and mulch product. A survey of CalTrans districts will gather specific information about barriers to the increased use of urban-derived compost and mulch products. Based on the results of this survey, staff will work with CalTrans and the compost industry to develop solutions to identified barriers. In addition, staff will pursue a partnership with the California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) to provide educational materials that promote resource efficient landscape management practices to their membership. Staff will also approach CLCA about including a seminar on resource efficient landscape management practices in their 2002 annual landscape industry show.

Facility Permitting/Enforcement

Accomplishments during the First Half of 2001

1. Bureau of State Audits Report: At the request of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, the Bureau of State Audits (Auditor) conducted an audit of IWMB's oversight of the State's solid waste landfills. The audit report, released by the Auditor on December 11, 2000, contains 16 recommendations. In a 60-day report to the Auditor, IWMB included a schedule and protocol for follow-up on each of the report's recommendations. A six-month report to the Auditor was approved at the Board's May 22-23 meeting. IWMB is on schedule and remains committed to responding to the report.

2. Rulemakings Completed: Enforcement and Compliance Procedures, http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Rulemaking/EnforceP/. This rulemaking addressed changes in the Public Resources Code brought about by AB 59, Sher (Statutes of 1995, c. 952). The regulations clarify and improve enforcement tools available to the Board and local enforcement agencies (LEAs) for ensuring compliance with State and federal waste management law. Changes in regulation include:

• Updates to enforcement related sections in 14 CCR, Title 14, making them consistent with current statutes and related regulations;
• Clarifies procedures when IWMB is acting as the enforcement agency;
• Clarifies processes, procedures, and requirements for designating, operating and evaluating LEAs;
• Incorporates criteria for determining if an LEA is taking appropriate enforcement actions and procedures IWMB must follow prior to taking its own enforcement action.

Priorities for the Second Half of 2001

1. Bureau of State Audits Report: IWMB will continue to address issues raised in the audit report, meeting the commitment spelled out in the six-month report to the Auditor. IWMB will also complete the required 12-month report to the Auditor.

2. Training: The annual LEA/Board conference planned for August will bring together State and local partners in the regulation of solid waste. As usual a variety of topics will be discussed such as "coordinated enforcement strategies", E-Waste and the future, and regularly scheduled topics such as Permit Tools.

Waste Tires and Special Waste

Accomplishments during the First Half of 2001

1. Five-year Plan: As directed by SB 876, IWMB developed a Five-year Plan for the Waste Tire Recycling Management Program (Plan) to be submitted to the Legislature by July 1, 2001. A public meeting was held on January 16, 2001, to obtain input from stakeholders on this Plan. IWMB staff used input from stakeholders to further develop the program elements. Additional comments were received at the meeting on February 21, 2001. On March 20, 2001, board members approved the Plan for submittal to Cal/EPA, the Governor, and the Legislature. The Plan includes the following elements, with funding allocations, and performance criteria for each:

• Enforcement and regulations relating to waste and used tires storage.
• Cleanup, abatement, or other remedial actions related to tire stockpiles.
• Research that develops and promotes alternatives to the landfill disposal of tires.
• Market development and new technology activities for used tires and waste tires.
• The waste and used tires hauler program and manifest system.

One of the major steps in the process of implementing the Plan is the development and implementation of the Waste Tire Manifest Tracking/Monitoring System. The Feasibility Study Report for a new manifest database has been completed by the Board and approved by the Department of Information Technology. IWMB is now able to proceed with the development and testing of the new Manifest Tracking/Monitoring System.

IWMB approved criteria for four of five grant programs described in the Plan and issued Notices of Funds Available (NOFAs) and applications. These programs included:

• Waste tire cleanup grants
• Waste tire enforcement grants
• Local government waste tire education and amnesty day grants
• Tire product commercialization grants.

1. Remediation of Illegal Sites:

• Westley Tire Fire Site - IWMB completed winterization work and removal of one of the six contaminated debris piles remaining on the Filbin tire fire site in Westley. Characterization of the extent of the contamination from oil and ash residues has been completed. This information will allow IWMB to commence the development of a remedial action plan necessary to cleanup this site. The approved Five-year Plan allocates $10 million for the remediation of the Filbin tire fire site over the next three years.
• Tracy Tire Fire Site - IWMB is working with U.S. EPA and the appropriate Cal/EPA agencies to develop a site characterization plan that will identify the extent of the contamination from oil and ash residues at the Royster Tire Fire Site in Tracy. The Five-year Plan allocates $7 million for the remediation of the Royster tire fire site over the next three years.

Priorities for the Second Half of 2001

1. Five-year Plan: The main focus of the waste tire program during this period will be to implement the provisions of the Five-year Plan, including addressing staffing needs, developing scopes of work for various contracts, implementing priorities for cleanup set in the Plan, and developing criteria for the playground cover grant program and the recreational surfaces grant program. For the four grant programs already approved, staff will be accepting and evaluating applications and presenting recommended awards to board members.

2. Remediation of Illegal Sites:

• Westley Tire Fire Site - The Board will award a contract and begin implementation of the remedial action plan and the cleanup of the Filbin Tire Fire Site in Westley.
• Tracy Tire Fire Site - Characterization efforts are scheduled to commence in July 2001. Once this characterization work is completed, IWMB will work with U.S. EPA and the appropriate Cal/EPA agencies to develop a remedial action plan for this site. IWMB will award a contract and begin implementation of the remedial action plan and the cleanup of the site.

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