COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE

OFFICE

Giving small businesses a helping handto overcome hurdles in Environment

Regulations

Genevieve SalmonsonCompliance Assistance Ombudsman

Hawaii Department of Health

The Compliance Assistance Office was

Established in 1998 from the Clean Air Act

• Help small business overcome the hurdles they face in their efforts to succeed in business while following environmental regulations

• Serve as ombudsman when complaints arise

• Provide point of access to DOH & EPA

• Facilitate information & communication exchange

• Increase understanding within DOH

• Investigate and resolve disputes (‘Ombudsman’)

COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE OFFICE MISSION

Typical CAO Services

• The Compliance Assistance Office (CAO) is a one-stop, non-regulatory office that can assist small businesses understand and comply with environmental regulations administered by DOH

• CAO services are confidential and free of charge, and provide a point of access to government, facilitating the exchange of information and communication

• Act provide input to EPA on proposed rules that affect small businesses

• Conducting voluntary site assessments of a business’ compliance with applicable environmental regulations

• As a neutral party and mediator, CAO can help by investigating and resolving disputes, and increase the understanding of small business concerns within the DOH and other government agencies

• Work with businesses to remedy minor violations

• Give presentations and conduct workshop to business and trade organizations

• Small Business Assistance Program (multi-media, AIR, WASTE, WATER)• Training workshops and presentations• Brochures and newsletters• Consultations• Informational inspections• Special Partnerships• Loan programs• Permit review and comment

COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE EFFORTS BY DOH’S REGULATORY OFFICES

• More restrictive air pollution rules

• More restrictive storm water control rules

• More restrictive drinking water rules

• New state Water Quality Standards proposed

• Increased hazardous waste oversight

• Increased toxics reporting required

• Contaminated lands (“Brownfields”) remediation

• Asbestos/Lead removal during construction/demolition

HOT TOPICS IN ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS HANDLED BY THE STATE DOH

Federal Laws

Permits & Regulations

Resource Conservation & Recovery Act

Handling of solid & hazardous waste (includes transportation, treatment, storage & disposal)

Superfund Clean-up of spills & releases

Toxic Substances Control Act

Control of various toxic compounds, including asbestos and lead

Clean Air Act Smoke & dust pollution

Clean Water Act

Water discharges and runoff

Safe Drinking Water Act

Community drinking water systems

• Call the respective office directly, if known

• Call the CAO at 808-586-4528 for referral or for confidential assistance

• Visit the CAO web site at http://www.hawaii.gov/health/environmental/cao

• Visit the various DOH environmental web sites at http://www.hawaii.gov/health/environmental

CONTACT INFORMATION