Budget Briefing: Fiscal Year 2002-2003
California Environmental Protection Agency
Our organization, our mission, vision, and strategic goals.
2002 Program Highlights - Cal/EPA's On-going Program Priorities
- Children's Environmental Health
- Clean Air
- Clean Water
- Environmental Justice
- California-Mexico Border Program
- Fighting Blight: Cleaning Up Brownfields
- Environmental Protection Indicators for California (EPIC)
- Enforcement
- Prevention Pollution
- Integrated Environmental Education
- Unified Program
Children’s Environmental Health
Under Governor Davis’ leadership, California has taken important steps to protect children from environmental pollutants with unprecedented funding to support clean-ups of hazardous substances at school sites, to evaluate air quality in portable classrooms, and to ensure our environmental standards safeguard infants, children, and other sensitive people.
The California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) and its boards, departments, and office are implementing these pioneering programs under several laws, including the Children’s Environmental Health Protection Act of 1999i and the Governor’s Children’s Environmental Health Initiativeii. Collectively, these programs address growing concerns and issues about protecting children’s health, particularly from potential exposures in the school environment. The Davis Administration has provided over $9 million for children’s environmental health programs throughout Cal/EPA organizations.
Highlights of Cal/EPA’s accomplishments and priorities for 2002 include:
- Cal/EPA established the Children’s Environmental Health Center (CEHC), headed by an Assistant Secretary for Children’s Environmental Health, to coordinate actions agency-wide. This year, Cal/EPA will host a Children’s Environmental Health Awareness Day and continue to work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (U.S. EPA) Office of Children’s Health Protection on childhood asthma-related issues.
- The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) reviewed and evaluated 509 reports on properties being considered for new school construction and provided regulatory oversight of cleanup work at 12 of these sites. Remediation is planned at 33 additional school sites and 250 site evaluations are scheduled for this year.
- The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), DTSC, and the Department of Education are working together to characterize the school site environment and prepare guidance on multimedia risk assessments, particularly for five contaminants commonly found at school sites. OEHHA also conducted two symposia last year to identify the key physiological and toxicological areas for chemical risk assessment. A third symposium is scheduled in spring 2002.
- The Air Resources Board’s (ARB) groundbreaking investigation of long-term exposures to air pollutants shows that children living in communities with the highest levels of air pollution have slower lung function growth rates. This long-term children’s health study is expanding its scope to better understand the effects of complex mixtures of atmospheric pollutants on lung function and to ascertain if the effect persists in children as they mature.
- Last year, ARB identified six school sites for air monitoring to help determine the adequacy of California’s air quality monitoring network to measure infants’ and children’s exposures to air pollutants. ARB completed a pilot study that examined children’s exposures during their school bus commute and will conduct a larger study that includes monitoring for gaseous and particulate pollutants inside school buses as well as monitoring at bus stops and loading areas.
- ARB, as part of a portable classroom study, obtained data on formaldehyde from nearly 1,000 schools statewide. This year, ARB will collect data on other pollutants and environmental factors from two portable classrooms and one traditional classroom at each of 70 randomly selected schools statewide.
- ARB and OEHHA completed a review of the California Ambient Air Quality Standard for particulate material (PM) for its adequacy in protecting sensitive populations, including infants and children. Cal/EPA staff will begin an assessment of the ozone standard this year. OEHHA also prioritized those toxic air contaminants (TACs) that may differentially impact children. The Scientific Review Panel selected five TACs to be revised or for which an air toxics control measure (ATCM) will be developed. ARB began review of the dioxin and lead ATCMs last year; these will be revised by mid-2003.
- Under the Healthy Schools Act, iii the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) established a voluntary school integrated pest management (IPM) program. DPR surveyed 1,000 school districts to ascertain their pest problems and needs; DPR developed and provided presentations and instructional events. DPR is also developing a “train-the-trainer” program and guidebook so school districts can implement integrated pest management practices. Licensed pest control businesses now complete and submit a new reporting form when any pesticide is used at a school. DPR and the Department of Education are jointly implementing the School IPM Program.
- Last year, the Integrated Waste Management Board (IWMB) implemented the Playground Safety and Recycling Act Grant Program and awarded $2.4 million to 56 applicants. These funds help upgrade and repair public playgrounds and playground equipment with recycled-content materials. This year, IWMB will offer $2.6 million in playground grants.
Zero Emission Vehicle Grants
Improving Air Quality By Removing High-polluting Cars From the
Roads
The Governor’s Budget includes $20 million for one-time grants to
support California’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Program, augmenting
the existing ZEV incentive program.iv ARB has earmarked $10 million in
competitive grants for fleet vehicles (up to $11,000 per vehicle)
operating in communities with the poorest air quality, including
low-income communities and communities of color. Consumers,
businesses, and public agencies statewide are eligible for grants (up
to $5,000 per vehicle) from the other $10 million. While the existing
program provides grants for light-duty passenger cars and trucks that
operate on freeways and are leased or purchased between October 2000
and December 2002, ARB is considering including additional vehicle
types, such as smaller city vehicles and low-speed neighborhood
vehicles, in the new programs. Guidelines for implementing the new
grant programs are being developed with stakeholder and public input
and should be available by March 2002. In the new ZEV grant programs,
vehicles leased or purchased through June 2004 will be eligible.
The Carl Moyer Heavy-Duty Diesel Incentive Program
Heavy-duty engines are a significant source of smog-forming
pollutants. Also, the fine particulate matter exhaust from heavy-duty
diesel engines is a toxic air contaminant. ARB’s Carl Moyer Program
has awarded incentive grants totaling more than $100 million in the
last four years to reduce oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and
particulate matter emissions from heavy-duty engines and to combat air
pollution. These grants fund the incremental cost of cleaner on-road,
off-road, marine, locomotive, and stationary agricultural pump
engines, as well as forklifts, airport ground support equipment, and
auxiliary power units. Participating air pollution control and air
quality management districts began these incentive grants in summer
1998.
The Carl Moyer Program continues to be a highly cost-effective means of reducing NOx emissions. Preliminary numbers indicate that as much as 800 tons of NOx reductions will be achieved and that the cost-per-ton has decreased from $5,000 (in the first two years) to approximately $4,000 in the third year.
Central districts, such as Sacramento Metropolitan and San Joaquin, spend the majority of these incentive grant funds on agricultural irrigation engines. The several coastal districts allocate the majority of funds to repower marine vessels. The South Coast Air Quality Management District, which receives the largest portion of the funds, allocates a significant share to on-road projects, particularly clean, alternative fueled refuse trucks and transit buses.
Energy Crisis
Meeting California’s Energy Needs While Protecting Air Quality
During the latter part of 2000 and early 2001, California was in
the midst of an electricity crisis, faced with insufficient generation
that resulted in numerous incidences of declared energy alerts and
power curtailments. Concern mounted that the State would face more
extreme supply shortages during the 2001 summer.
In response to the crisis, the Governor declared an energy emergency on January 17, 2001, and issued a series of Executive Orders to augment existing power generation, expedite permitting and construction of new power plants, and maintain protection of the environment. Key air quality-related directives in these orders authorized:
- Temporary modification of air district permit limits that restricted generating unit operating hours to ensure reliability of the power grid.
- Mitigation fees for excess emissions and application of those funds to air district emission reduction programs.
- Expedited 21-day and 4-month permitting processes for power plants-with little or no environmental impacts-that would be operational by September 30, 2001 and August 31, 2002, respectively.
- Creation of a State Emission Reduction Credit Bank administered by ARB to provide emission offsets for 2001 summer peaking power plant projects, with proceeds directed to air district emission reduction programs in the vicinity of the new facility.
Despite the early predictions of up to a 5,000-megawatt (MW) electricity shortfall, California experienced a positive energy outcome last summer and air pollutant emissions decreased at the same time. ARB staff estimate an average NOx emissions reduction of 24 percent from power generating facilities from June to August 2001 over the same period the prior year. (That estimate is based on average summer NOx emissions of 111 tons per day in 2000 and approximately 84 tons per day in 2001). This success was achieved by:
- Completing nearly 5,000 MW of pollution control retrofits on 17 power plants by August 2001.
- Reducing overall energy demand by eight percent and peak demand by almost ten percent (from year 2000) through aggressive energy conservation programs.
- Starting up 11 new power plants with state-of-the-art emission controls from June to September 2001. (ARB staff believes the new plants displaced reliance on less-efficient and higher-polluting peaking turbines, which were heavily used in late 2000 and early 2001).
- Restricting use of diesel back-up generators outside of an actual blackout. (ARB and local air districts instituted similar policies for back-up generators.
ARB will continue to be actively involved in energy matters in 2002 with 22 power plant projects currently in review at the California Energy Commission, 16 planned projects still to be filed, and a number of power-related legislative proposals. Upcoming ARB actions include implementing a certification program for distributed generation units, developing a statewide regulation that require retrofit of existing generating units, and updating the Guidance for Power Plant Siting and Best Available Control Technology.
Keeping Beaches Clean And Swimmable
California’s coast offers year-round recreation and attracts more
than 175 million visitors each year from all over the world. The coast
also provides valuable habitat for hundreds of species of wildlife,
including some found nowhere else in the world. More people visit
California beaches than visit beaches in all other states. Our beaches
have the most stringent set of public health standards and are
monitored more than anywhere else. However, local and state monitoring
findings often require posting or closure of beaches for swimming,
recreation, and other uses. Last year, coastal area water pollution
prompted more than 5,000 beach-closure days (a measure of the number
of beaches times the number of days closed).
Urban runoff and sewage spills and leaks are the primary sources of pollution that impair water quality and close beaches. Although local jurisdictions are improving wastewater collection systems to reduce pollutants that find their way to beaches, additional improvements are required. With the objective of eliminating beach closures, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and the nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCBs) are taking actions on several fronts, including measures specified in the Clean Beaches Initiative:
- Local Projects: 39 projects to reduce or eliminate bacterial contamination at California beaches have been identified; implementation and construction of eight projects is now underway.
- Rapid Indicator Development: SWRCB is executing a $1.5 million contract with the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project for the development of rapid, reliable, and affordable diagnostic tests for measuring indicators of pathogens in coastal waters.
- Coastline Advisory Database: SWRCB will implement a new coastline advisory database by June 2002. This will provide the means of transferring water quality data between local, state, and federal agencies and informing the public.
- Regional Regulatory Actions: RWQCBs continue regulatory actions to protect our beaches through: controlling sanitary sewer overflows through general waste discharge requirements; eliminating or controlling nuisance and dry weather flows in storm drains and flood control channels through diversions to sanitary sewer systems; controlling urban stormwater through municipal separate storm sewer system permits; adopting public health standards in Basin Plans; and implementing bacteria TMDLs for those water bodies impaired by pathogens.
- Under the Solid Waste Disposal and Codisposal Site Cleanup Program, local governments can finance a wide range of projects including the removal of waste from watersheds and preventing waste from entering water bodies. For example, in November 2001, IWMB awarded a $500,000 matching grant to the City of Malibu to remove solid waste from and disinfect storm drains flowing into Malibu Creek and Lagoon. IWMB also awarded the City of Santa Monica a $750,000 grant to help fund trash removal facilities in storm drains leading to Ballona Creek.
- Recent legislationv, authored by Assemblymembers Jackson and Pavley, allow Used Oil Program funds for specified storm water-related activities in certain conditions are met. IWMB is implementing these new statutes.
Protecting California’s Water Resources
Governor Davis’s proposed budget continues the Administration’s
investment in programs that protect and enhance California’s water
resources. The budget provides $70.8 million for grants under the Safe
Drinking Water, Clean Water, Watershed Protection and Flood Protection
Act of 2000 (Proposition 13). This includes: $2.5 million for the
water recycling program; $21 million for the watershed protection
program; $27 million for the nonpoint source pollution control
program; $13.2 million for the coastal nonpoint source control
program; $7.1 million for the Southern California integrated watershed
program; and $50,000 for the Lake Elsinore and San Jacinto watershed
program. The Governor’s Budget also continues $96 million for
wastewater treatment facility loans.
In 1999, Governor Davis signed landmark environmental justice legislationvi authored by Senator Solis. This law-the first of its kind in the nation-defines environmental justice as: “the fair treatment of people of all races, cultures, and incomes with respect to the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.” The statute requires that Cal/EPA develop an environmental justice mission statement. Since 1999, numerous other statutes have directed Cal/EPA to undertake other environmental justice activities. To date, environmental justice highlights and accomplishments include:
- Cal/EPA established an Environmental Justice Program and hired an Assistant Secretary for Environmental Justice. The Cal/EPA organizations also jointly developed a draft unified mission statement and draft operating principles; an agency-wide environmental justice coordination group was also established to discuss issues and coordinate activities.
- Cal/EPA established an Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice, which includes the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and other agencies, to guide programmatic and policy development. A 13-member Advisory Committee on Environmental Justice was formed to advise and consult with Cal/EPA. Finally, Cal/EPA instituted an Environmental Justice Pilot Training Program.
- In 2001, IWMB adopted an updated strategic plan that commits the board to act in a manner that ensures the fair treatment of people of all races, cultures and income levels; to reach out to California’s diverse communities and include their input in policy and decision-making; and to reduce or eliminate any disproportionate impacts of pollution. Additionally, IWMB authorized a $35,000 study to assess the impacts of the solid waste stream on minority communities.
- ARB adopted environmental justice policies and actions to guide it in implementing air quality programs. ARB provides grants, through the Carl Moyer Program, for projects that reduce emissions from diesel engines, half of which must be applied in low-income and minority communities. Also, ARB and the California Highway Patrol conduct random roadside inspections of heavy-duty diesel trucks to monitor for compliance with emissions, environmental, and safety regulations. In the Barrio Logan community of San Diego and in the Wilmington area of Los Angeles, ARB conducted two neighborhood assessment projects to examine air quality and develop computer modeling of air pollutant emissions at the neighborhood level.
- DPR, Native American tribes, and other agencies in the northwestern part of the state worked together to monitor herbicide residues in surface water, determine herbicide residues in fish tissues, and study herbicide applications in national forests.
- SWRCB and RWQCBs expanded public participation opportunities-including issuing meeting announcements in multiple languages and placing advertisements in Spanish language newspapers-as part of its development and adoption of a new enforcement policy.
- DTSC is developing and refining environmental justice policies and procedures for its programs. Additionally, DTSC developed a public participation policy and guidance manual for its hazardous waste management and site mitigation processes. The manual underscores the importance of involving environmental justice communities early in the decision-making process.
California-Mexico Border Program
"There is no relationship more important to California than our relationship to Mexico. President-elect Fox and I share the same goals. By working together, we can build on the progress we have made and raise the living standards of the great peoples we represent."
-Governor Gray Davis
November 10, 2000
California is a leader in improving and protecting the environment on both sides of the international border. The Davis Administration has invested $7.5 million for California-Mexico Border Environment programs. These resources help address environmental impacts along the California-Mexico border region and support Mexican and binational efforts to improve the border environmental and public health.
Highlights of Cal/EPA’s Border Environment Program include:
- Cal/EPA established the Border Affairs unit and appointed an Assistant Secretary for Border Affairs to coordinate agency-wide activities. The Cal/EPA organizations also prepared a strategic plan for the Border Environment Program in October 2001.
- Cal/EPA has signed five Memoranda of Understanding with Mexican local, state, and federal officials dealing with pretreatment and monitoring of wastewater, implementing a pilot-scale “smog check” program in Tijuana, protecting the Sea of Cortez, conducting a lead study of Baja California’s children, and promoting sustainable development in the border region.
- ARB inspects heavy-duty diesel vehicles entering California at the Otay Mesa and Calexico border crossings. ARB also participates in the San Diego-based Binational Air Quality Alliance, which is developing a binational air quality plan.
- DTSC’s San Diego border serves as a hub for Cal/EPA border activities; DTSC staff conducts hazardous waste management compliance activities and pollution prevention projects along the California-Mexico border region. DTSC routinely inspects trucks crossing at the Calexico and San Diego border crossings to monitor import and export of hazardous wastes. Through an agreement with DTSC, San Diego County provides pollution prevention training and Spanish language pollution prevention materials for Mexican government officials’ use.
- SWRCB and the San Diego and Colorado River RWQCB border coordinators are drafting a total maximum daily load (TMDL) for the New River, developing a pretreatment workshop for Mexicali, Tijuana, and Tecate, monitoring the Salton Sea, and conducting bio-monitoring and ambient water quality monitoring programs jointly with Mexico.
- IWMB is preparing environmental education curriculum for border region elementary school teachers. The curriculum includes resource conservation and pollution prevention topics as well as air, water, waste, and energy subjects. Teachers in Tijuana and Mexicali will field test this multi-media, cross-disciplinary curriculum. Beginning in October 2002, the University of Baja California will offer training and this curriculum to interested teachers.
- OEHHA’s border coordinator is developing a scientific training and assistance program for local border agencies and Mexican counterpart agencies.
Fighting Blight: Cleaning Up Brownfields
Urban Cleanup Initiative
In 2000, Cal/EPA and DSTC launched the Cleanup Loans and
Environmental Assistance to Neighborhoods (CLEAN) Program, which
provides low-interest loans for environmental investigations and
hazardous material removal from urban brownfield properties. The CLEAN
Program revitalizes urban communities, creates jobs, and protects
public health and the environment.
To date, 18 loan applications had been submitted and six loans-totaling $5.2 million-have been approved:
| Brownfield Location | Loan Amount | Cleanup and Planned Redevelopment |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Los Angeles | $1 million | Commercial, and possibly loft residences, at former paint and print manufacturing plant |
| Vacaville Redevelopment Agency | $400,000 | Revitalization of the downtown core with mixed use commercial and retail at former site of chrome manufacturer |
| East Bay Habitat for Humanity, Inc. | $270,000 | 20-24 single-family residences at former salvage yard |
| Richmond Redevelopment Agency | $1.9 million | Commercial, retail, residential, and public access/open space at former Kaiser shipbuilding facility |
| Santa Fe Springs (Los Angeles County) | $950,000 | Commercial and industrial facilities at former chemical company site |
| Murrieta (Riverside County) | $700,000 | 54 market-rate single-family homes at former battery storage facility |
Current economic conditions necessitate a temporary cessation of funding for new loans. DTSC will continue overseeing current projects and servicing loans, while investigating alternative funding options.
Affordable Environmental Insurance: FAIR Program
In 2002, Cal/EPA and DTSC will launch the Financial Assurance and
Insurance for Redevelopment (FAIR) Program, which will increase the
availability and affordability of environmental insurance for
brownfields. DTSC is currently working on implementing the FAIR
Program and selection of an insurance company to serve as the
State-designated provider of certain environmental insurance products.
Local Agency Brownfield Cleanup
The California Land Environmental Restoration and Reuse Actvii
establishes a local agency hazardous materials cleanup program and
helps return brownfields to productive uses. Under this act, Cal/EPA
organizations will develop advisory “screening values” for
approximately 55 hazardous substances; these values will serve as
reference numbers to estimate cleanup of a contaminated site. Cal/EPA
will also prepare descriptions of DTSC and SWRCB’s cleanup processes
and conduct a pilot program in Southern California to test the
screening values. The Governor’s Budget includes $350,000 for
implementation activities under the act. Cal/EPA’s Scientific Peer
Review Program will peer review the screening numbers; DTSC and SWRCB
will oversee local agency cleanup programs.
Environmental Protection Indicators For California (Epic)
As part of Cal/EPA’s efforts to implement its Strategic Vision, OEHHA leads a groundbreaking initiative to develop environmental indicators-the Environmental Protection Indicators for California (EPIC) Program. Environmental indicators are measures that present scientifically based information on environmental conditions and trends. Examples include the volume of hazardous wastes generated, annual peak concentrations of a criteria air pollutant, and levels of contaminants in fish tissues. The EPIC Program will support a "results-based management system" for Cal/EPA and will help decision-makers formulate policy, allocate resources, and make adjustments to program priorities.
In 2001, Cal/EPA and OEHHA organized and managed a process to identify, develop, and select an initial set of environmental indicators. Internal and external advisory groups, as well as international experts, helped Cal/EPA in this process. The draft report, entitled A Framework for Cal/EPA's Environmental Indicator System, was completed in fall 2001 and concluded the first year of the EPIC Program. During 2002, Cal/EPA and OEHHA will implement and refine the initial indicators.
Established in 2000, Cal/EPA’s Enforcement Unit develops programs to ensure consistent, effective, and coordinated compliance and enforcement of federal, state, and local environmental laws and rules. The unit has instituted training programs for Cal/EPA and local inspection and enforcement personnel, assists local government with investigations and enforcement action, and refers cases to state and local prosecutors. A few highlights of the Enforcement Unit’s work include:
- Training: In 2001, the unit began the Cal/EPA Inspector Certification Program, which includes the Basic Inspector Academy, the Cross Media Enforcement Symposium, and an Internet-based clearinghouse for cross-media inspector training.
- Cross-Media Enforcement: Cal/EPA organizations worked on a variety of cross-media enforcement projects, including creating an Underground Storage Tank enforcement unit, co-chairing a border enforcement task force, leading a cross-media enforcement task force, and conducting cross-media investigations.
- Jewelry Mart: The budget includes $460,000 for technical assistance, compliance assistance and pollution prevention activities in the Jewelry Mart area of Los Angeles. Cal/EPA organizations participate on the Los Angeles Jewelry Mart District Task Force. DTSC provided information on common jewelry manufacturing processes, best practices, and alternative technologies. DTSC also provided pollution prevention and hazardous waste regulatory information to jewelry businesses.
- Waste Tires: Under recent legislationviii IWMB, in collaboration with Cal/EPA’s Enforcement Unit, is establishing programs that properly manage waste tires in California. In 2001, IWMB adopted a five-year plan for this program. The plan allocates waste tire funds for enforcement ($2 million), remediation ($9.5 million), research ($2.3 million), market development ($7.8 million), and waste tire manifests ($2.6 million).
Encouraging Waste Reduction And Recycling
Cal/EPA has undertaken a multi-agency, multi-media effort to reduce waste tires and electronic wastes (“e-wastes”). Specifically:
- IWMB provides financial assistance (grants and loans) to California manufacturers who use discarded materials on the production lines. Grants also support reuse of waste tires for paving and playground materials.
- DTSC, IWMB, and the Central Valley RWQCB are investigating and remediating the Westley tire fire site (San Joaquin County). DTSC completed site characterizations, air sampling, and an interim cleanup plan. In November 2001, contractors began an 18-month effort to remove approximately 180,000 cubic yards of burned tires, ash, and contaminated soil for off-site disposal. Additional groundwater characterization began in December 2001.
- DTSC adopted emergency regulations for managing cathode ray tubes and final regulations for universal waste (batteries, fluorescent tubes, and thermostats). DTSC, IWMB, and the California Energy Commission are developing the infrastructure to collect and recycle household universal waste.
- DTSC is working on a method to measure brominated flame-retardants in e-waste and electronic products.
- IWMB proposes funding $25 to $30 million for used oil recycling programs, the reduction of waste tire stockpiles, and the creation of product markets using these diverted waste materials.
- The Cal/EPA organizations are “walking the talk” by recycling various materials everyday at its Sacramento headquarters building. Cal/EPA employees recycle approximately 65 percent of materials used on an average monthly basis. Recycled and reused materials include white paper, mixed paper, beverage containers, food scraps, toner cartridges, inkjet cartridges, and pallets. In the building, Cal/EPA employees separate hazardous wastes designated as universal waste, such as fluorescent light tubes and batteries; these materials are sent to authorized vendors for recycling or proper disposal.
Integrated Environmental Education
In 2001, Cal/EPA established the Office of Integrated Education (Office) within IWMB to coordinate environmental education efforts within Cal/EPA and with other agencies and departments. The office provides standards-based curriculum materials for California’s K-12 schools and offers no-cost teacher-training workshops. In addition, the Office works closely with local agencies to promote waste management education in local schools, and in non-formal settings, such as science centers and museums. As one of its first successes, the Office worked with and persuaded the State Board of Education to incorporate environmental concepts into the California science framework for the first time.
With the enactment of recent legislation, ix the office is working collaboratively with California’s schools to incorporate resource conservation and sustainability into their organizational philosophy, planning, and implementation. IWMB will administer a two-year grant program ($1.5 million from the Integrated Waste Management Account) for county offices of education, school districts, and schools for teaching programs, onsite waste reduction practices, and establishment of a unified education strategy.
The Agency Secretary oversees, evaluates, and ensures consistent and effective implementation of the Unified Program. Within the Unified Program, seventy-two Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPAs) are responsible for permit issuance, inspections, compliance, enforcement, and program management for six program elements: hazardous materials release response plans and inventories, the California Accident Prevention Program, the underground tank program, the aboveground petroleum storage program, the hazardous waste programs, and the California Uniform Fire Code.
Fourteen counties have not been certified as unified programs; however, they are operating partial programs under authorization granted by the Secretary. Ten have applied for full certification. As one of its priorities, Cal/EPA continues working with the remaining two counties to establish full programs.
To date, the Unified Program has:
- Implemented an updated website that provides comprehensive and timely information to the CUPA agencies.
- Recommended program improvements, including consistent administrative enforcement authority for each program element, in a report to the Legislature.
- Developed guidance for non-CUPA jurisdictions regarding financial assistance from the Rural CUPA Reimbursement Account.x
- Prepared a detailed, Feasibility Study Report describing a comprehensive geographic information system-based system.xi
- Conducted eight statewide coordination meetings with local, state and federal program representatives. This group, known as the Unified Program Administration Advisory Group (UPAAG), is now a standing workgroup and meets regularly.
i Chapter 721, Statutes of 1999, Senate Bill 25,
Escutia
ii Chapter 144, Statutes of 2000, Assembly Bill 2872, Shelley
iii Chapter 718, Statutes of 2000,Assembly Bill, Shelley
iv Chapter 1072, Statutes of 2000, Assembly Bill 2061, Lowenthal
v Chapter 500, Statutes of 2001, Assembly Bill 560, Jackson, and Chapter
317, Statutes of 2001, Assembly Bill 1201, Pavley
vi Chapter 690, Statutes of 1999, Senate Bill 115, Solis
vii Chapter 764, Statutes of 2001, Senate Bill 32, Escutia
viii Chapter 838, Statutes of 2000, Senate Bill 876, Escutia
ix Chapter 926, Statutes of 2001, Senate Bill 373, Torlakson
x Chapter 703, Statutes of 2000, Senate Bill 1824, and Budget Act of
2001
xi Chapter 144, Statutes of 2000, Assembly Bill 2872, Shelley
California Environmental Protection Agency, http://www.calepa.ca.gov
General Public Contact, cepacomm@calepa.ca.gov (916) 323-2514