Integrated Waste Management Disaster Plan

Chapter 1: Government Coordination (Step 4)

• Chapter Summary
• Steps 1-3
• Checklist

Step 4: identify local, state, federal agencies involved in disaster debris management

Identify agencies: Identify relationships, as appropriate, with other governmental entities that may have a role in your debris management strategy.

Local Responsibilities

Local agencies: The primary local agencies that will be involved in a disaster response will vary depending upon the type and severity of the emergency or disaster. In general, those agencies that could be involved in a debris management strategy include the following:

• Public Works Department;
• Solid Waste or Integrated Waste Management Department;
• Building Department;
• Environmental Services Department (Household Hazardous Waste Program);
• Fire Department;
• Public Information Office;
• Local Enforcement Agency; and
• Recycling Market Development Zone.

Local Enforcement Agency

Role: Because the Local Enforcement Agency's role is particularly important in debris management, this group is highlighted here. (See Attachment D for a listing of Local Enforcement Agencies).

LEAs are the local government's designated agencies charged with enforcing the State's solid waste environmental and public health laws and requirements at the local level. Organizationally, they are typically found in county or city health or environmental health departments. LEAs must meet certain qualifications and be certified by California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB).

Primary responsibilities: The LEAs' primary responsibilities under the CIWMB's auspices relate to the enforcement of the state's minimum standards at, and the permitting, if necessary, of the solid waste facilities and operations.

Enforces SWFP Conditions: The LEA enforces the conditions of the solid waste facilities permit, which will have a bearing on the establishment of temporary storage areas for disaster debris at such facilities and for implementation of diversion programs as they impact facility operations.

Inspections: The LEA performs inspections of the facilities and writes and issues permits to operate them. In addition, the LEA may exempt certain types of facilities from the requirement to obtain a permit. LEAs also may inspect waste hauling vehicles under the Public Resources Code authority.

Public health: LEA personnel also perform other tasks related to public health and the environment in their jurisdiction, although not associated with the CIWMB, such as the regulation of hazardous materials, medical waste, restaurant sanitation, pool maintenance, septic tank inspections, etc.

Consult early: Local jurisdictions should consult with their LEA early in the planning process and immediately following a disaster to coordinate a diversion strategy.

LEAs can play several key roles in developing a waste diversion strategy; however, most of these roles would fall under authority granted by local government, not the CIWMB.

LEA's role: The LEA can provide the following services:

• identify recycling, reuse, and disposal sites. LEAs will know the location of existing disposal sites, as well an many or all recycling facilities, within their jurisdictions;
• identify possible storage areas at existing solid waste facilities;
• determine the environmental controls needed at selected temporary sites;
• provide input into the contractual conditions that should be placed into a cleanup contract;
• assist in developing the plan to assist property owners in cleaning up;
• regulate asbestos use [Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) jurisdiction. This could also fall under the Air Resources Board's jurisdiction, or OSHA's, depending on whether the asbestos is being disposed of or ground up]; and
• regulate lead (primarily lead-based paint on wood and metal) and household hazardous waste (DTSC jurisdiction).

Emergency waiver of standards regulations: In addition, the Board's emergency waiver of standards regulations allow LEAs to issue emergency waivers to solid waste facility operators upon request in the event of a state of emergency or local emergency. The regulations are found in California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 7, Chapter 3, Article 3, sections 17210 through 17210.9. The waiver grants an operator temporary relief from specific state minimum solid waste standards or terms or conditions of the operator's solid waste facilities permit.

The waiver applies to the following:

• origin of waste;
• the rate of inflow for storage, transfer, or disposal of waste;
• the type and moisture content of solid waste;
• the hours of facility operation; and
• the storage time before transfer or disposal of wastes, at a solid waste facility.

A waiver can also be granted to an operator for the establishment of a locally-approved temporary transfer or processing site, if authorized by the local enforcement agency.

State Agency Responsibilities [10]

Source: The following information is taken from Annex J, Construction and Engineering Operations, of the State Emergency Plan, 1988.

Purpose: Annex J does the following:

• describes construction and engineering operations
• establishes policies and procedures for emergencies, and
• provides information on essential activities such as post-event inspection of facilities and structures, emergency debris clearance, and route recovery.

Responsibilities: Because debris management activities will most likely be carried out by the Public Works Department or Building Department in a jurisdiction, following is a list of state agencies responsible for supporting local public works operations:

Federal Agency Responsibilities [11]

Federal Response Plan: The Federal Response Plan groups federal assistance into12 functional areas called Emergency Support Functions or ESFs.

These include fire fighting, transportation, health and medical services, public works, urban search and rescue, and others.

Each ESF is headed by a primary agency, selected for its statutory authorities, resources, and capabilities in the particular functional area. Other agencies are designated as support agencies for one or more ESFs.

Attachments

1. List of OES Regional Offices.
2. Regulations Governing Disaster Assistance.
3. Federal Debris Removal Guidelines.
4. List of Local Enforcement Agencies.

References

• State Agency Disaster Response Planning Guidelines, OES Planning Division, 1991.
• OES Earthquake Recovery and Reconstruction Guidelines for Local Government, SCEPP/California OES, 1991.
• SEMS Emergency Operations Center Course Materials, Module C5.
• SEMS Guidelines, Part I. System Description. A. General System Description.
• California State Emergency Plan, 1988.
• EPAs Role in the Federal Response Plan,550-F-95-006 (brochure).
• Emergency Managers Mutual Aid Plan, draft, OES.

Endnotes

1. Emergency Managers Mutual Aid Plan, draft, Governor's Office of Emergency Services, 9/94.
2. State Agency Disaster Response Planning Guidelines, OES Planning Division, 1991.
3. Ibid.
4. SEMS Guidelines, Part I. System Description. A. General System Description, pages 14-15.
5. Ibid.
6. State Emergency Plan, Governor's Office of Emergency Services, 1988.
7. EPA's Role in the Federal Response Plan, 550-F-95-006, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
8. SEMS EOC Course Materials, Module 5, Governor's Office of Emergency Services. SEMS Guidelines, Part 1, System Description A., General System Description.
9. Ibid.
10. State Emergency Plan, Annex J, Construction and Engineering Operations, 1988.
11. EPA's Role in the Federal Response Plan, 550-f-95-006, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Last updated: June 03, 2008