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Hazardous Waste Subcommittee
Stephen Cobb (AL), Chair
sac@adem.state.al.us
Dania Rodriguez, ASTSWMO Staff
daniar@astswmo.org
The Hazardous Waste Subcommittee is comprised of seven task forces which discuss policy and technical aspects of the RCRA hazardous waste program, research specific program elements of interest to States, develop positions or recommendations, and provide expert comment on issues arising from the implementation of the RCRA program at the State level. Specific work activities focus on the areas of performance systems, corrective action, enforcement/compliance assurance, information management, program operations, recycling, and training.
Past Work Products
In 2007, the Hazardous Waste Subcommittee published the RCRA Core Report, which is available at: http://www.astswmo.org/files/publications/hazardouswaste/Final%20Report%20-%20RCRA%20Subtitle%20C%20Core%20Project.pdf. This document is the result of approximately six years of research, data collection and analysis by the Subcommittee as a part of its effort to 1) clearly and concisely define the core components of the State RCRA Subtitle C Hazardous Waste Management Program on a national basis; 2) establish a consistent methodology for collecting program implementation cost information; and 3) estimate the national cost of implementing the State core program.
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Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Task Force
Melanie Foster (AR), Chair
foster@adeq.state.ar.us
Mission
To establish cooperative partnerships between the States, EPA headquarters and regions which promote consistent, effective and efficient hazardous waste enforcement and compliance assurance approaches nationwide; recognize and accommodate the perspectives of individual States; enhance State capabilities; and have compliance as an objective.
Past Work Products
For a number of years, the Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Task Force has assisted EPA in the RCRA portion of the State Review Framework Evaluation project as well as the NPM Guidance – LQG inspection issues.
Current Work Efforts
The Task Force will continue to work with EPA/OECA on implementation of the revised RCRA Enforcement Response Policy; will review and compile the results of the 2007 Performance Measures Survey; and will review what tools States are currently using to achieve compliance to see if there is any documented advantage to compliance assistance versus traditional enforcement.
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Performance Systems Task Force
Butch Dye (MD), Chair
bdye@mde.state.md.us
Mission
To coordinate State efforts to identify opportunities for facility-specific flexibility in RCRA program to be implemented by States that will result in protective environmental outcomes and are enforceable.
Past Work Products
This group was just formed in 2007.
Current Work Efforts
Task Force will prepare a survey to distribute to the ASTSWMO membership regarding regulatory flexibility.
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Corrective Action and Permitting Task Force
Richard Nussbaum (MO), Chair
rich.nussbaum@dnr.mo.gov
Mission
To coordinate State efforts in working with EPA to develop and implement comprehensive, manageable and efficient hazardous waste corrective action, closure and permitting regulations, procedures, policies, guidance and performance measures that ensure protection of human health and the environment.
Past Work Products
In 2007, the Corrective Action and Permitting Task Force compiled and provided comment to EPA on their draft policy on indoor air issues at commercial/industrial facilities. The group is also very active in participating with EPA on monthly corrective action calls.
Current Work Efforts
The Task Force is in the process of drafting a Pricing Factors White Paper an outgrowth of the RCRA Core project. The paper will focus on the numbers of FTEs and the broad ranges of hours previously developed for permitting and corrective action activities as contained in the RCRA Core Report.
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HW Recycling Task Force
Karen Hale (OH), Chair
karen.hale@epa.state.oh.us
Mission
To represent the State waste management agencies while working with EPA to ensure the development of a clearer, simpler and implementable hazardous waste recycling program by providing input to EPA on revising the “definition of solid waste.”
Past Work Products
The Hazardous Waste Recycling Task Force prepared, distributed and compiled the results of the survey on the Definition of Solid Waste (DSW). The Task Force used the results in the comments that were submitted to EPA on DSW in June 2007.
Current Work Efforts
The group is currently researching and compiling the average salary compensation of State staff report. This issue is an outgrowth of the RCRA Core Report.
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HW Training Task Force
Jim Harford (NE), Chair
jim.harford@ndeq.state.ne.us
Mission
To promote, develop, and examine training opportunities that best meet the needs of the Association's membership through identification of areas of interest, evaluating training options, and coordinating conferences.
Past Work Products
The Training Task Force is responsible for the planning and organization of the Hazardous Waste Managers Conference. This is the biennial conference that showcases the work products of the Hazardous Waste Subcommittee, as well as promotes the State-Federal partnership on Hazardous Waste.
Current Work Efforts
The Task Force is in the midst of planning the August 11-13, 2008 Hazardous Waste Conference. The Task Force also continues to explore alternative ways of providing training for the ASTSWMO membership.
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Program Information Management Task Force
Rene Anderson (ID), Chair
Rene.Anderson@deq.idaho.gov
Mission
To enhance State and Territorial hazardous waste information management systems in support of the RCRA hazardous waste program as well as contribute to the development and establishment of national hazardous waste information management systems, policies, and system changes and improvements.
Past Work Products
The Task Force is an active participant in the WIN/Informed process as it relates to RCRAInfo. The members also monitor EPA activities related to issues such as WIN/Informed, RCRAInfo implementation, Exchange Network, and State information management initiatives.
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HW Program Operations Task Force
Bob Haggerty (NY), Chair
rjhagger@gw.dec.state.ny.us
Mission
To improve the implementation of the national hazardous waste program by working collaboratively with interested States and EPA staff to identify opportunities for program improvement and to resolve identified concerns.
Past Work Products
The Program Operations Task Force has been involved in the review/comment of 40 CFR for the past two years.
Current Work Efforts
Recently, the Task Force has reviewed the 2nd draft of 40 CFR 260, 261, 262, 264, 265, 266, 268, 270, 271 and are in the process of coordinating the review and comments on 40 CFR corrections. The Task Force will continue to work with EPA on a proposed E-Manifest system and participate on the EPA E-Manifest work group, representing the concerns and coordinating the involvement of other Task Forces on this issue.
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