The Emergency Services Unit is comprised of: Explosives Control HazMat Right-to-Know Tier II HazMat Hotline HazMat Violations Training

Transcription

1 Louisiana State Police Emergency Services Unit

2 The Emergency Services Unit is comprised of: Explosives Control HazMat Right-to-Know Tier II HazMat Hotline HazMat Violations Training

3 ESU Goals and Objectives 1. Public Safety & Education Provide for public safety through education and enforcement of regulations and statutes. 2. Training and Equipment Maintain adequate personnel, training and equipment to enable responders to adequately respond to incidents. 3. Enforcement Enforce State and Federal regulations. 4. Support Provide technical information, i response and logistical i l support to the Department, other State, Federal and Local Agencies.

4 Overview - History 1980 CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act) known as Superfund tax on chemical and petroleum industry and authority to respond when environment or public endangered 1984 Bhopal, India 1986 SARA (Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act) amends CERCLA with changes and additions 1986 EPCRA (Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act) known as Title III, third part of SARA - provides the infrastructure at State and local levels to plan for chemical emergencies

5 SARA TITLE III SARA Title III is a complex federal law with a simple purpose: to protect lives and property by enabling all segments of a community to have access to timely detailed information about hazardous materials in their community and to use that information to plan for potential chemical emergencies.

6 SARA Title III encompasses four major sections: Sections deal with emergency planning (LERC & LEPC) Section 304 encompasses emergency release notification (HAZMAT Hotline) Sections cover hazardous chemical reporting (Tier II Filing) Section 313 covers toxic chemical release reporting and inventory (EPA & DEQ)

7 L E R C In the summer of 1985, the Louisiana Legislature created the Hazardous Material Information Development, Preparedness, and Response Act. Its provisions covered a limited amount of notification, administrative penalties for failure to report, monitoring and enforcement, initial funding, an annual fee to cover the cost of maintaining and expanding an information system and other aspects of hazardous material reporting. Congress subsequently passed SARA Title III in It required that the governor of each state appoint a SERC to implement an information system pertaining to SARA Title III. Governor Edwin Edwards issued an executive order that same year to create the LERC. In July 1987, the Louisiana Legislature amended Louisiana's Right-to-Know Law with Act 347. The new legislation aligned State statutes with federal law when possible. Some provisions of State law remain more stringent than federal law. As a result of Louisiana's early move to establish its own Right-to-Know law, the LERC was the first SERC established in the United States t in accordance with SARA Title III.

8 State (L) Emergency Response Commission (LERC) shall appoint members of a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). Committee shall appoint a chairperson and shall establish rules by which the committee shall llf function. (64P Parishes 64 LEPCs) The primary focus is to safe guard public health and the environment. Distribution of the emergency plan. Increase the public s knowledge and access to information on hazardous and toxic chemicals.

9 Emergency Planning Sections GUIDANCE / ASSISTANCE NRT RRT EPA LERC ERP LEPC FIRE DEPARTMENT LOUISIANA STATE POLICE RIGHT TO KNOW EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION EMERGENCY INVENTORY MSDS OR LIST EMERGENCY PLANNING TOXIC CHEMICAL RELEASE FORM FACILITIES

10 Emergency Release Notification Section 304 HAZMAT HOTLINE

11 Chemical Reporting Sections Louisiana law and rules require filing of TIER II forms by regulated businesses by March 1 st for the preceding calendar year. Louisiana law and rules are more restrictive than federal law. Federal law allows higher h reporting inventory thresholds. Louisiana law requires reporting of 500 lbs or more; lower EHS inventory thresholds take precedent.

12 Tier II For ,862 facilities in Louisiana filed a Tier II report

13 WHEN AND WHERE TO SUBMIT Prior to March first of each year, owners or operators must electronically submit the Tier Two form to: (1) the Louisiana Emergency Response Commission (LERC) (2) the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) of the parish in which h the facility is located. If the LEPC has signed the State Repository Agreement (see list of LEPCs posted at state nsf) then a paper submission is not required. (3) the local fire department having jurisdiction over the facility. (Call your local fire department to see if they have on-line access to facilities in their parish.) Small business may submit paper forms.

14 For additional information, please contact Mr. Gene Dunegan Emergency ege cyse Services cesu Unit (225) ext. 253