Cross Media Inspections of Solid Waste Facilities

Jerry HendersonCDPHE Solid Waste and Material

Management Unit

Compliance Inspection vs. Compliance Assistance Compliance inspections: CRS 30-20-113

gives the Department inspection authority. Violations trigger enforcement process Depending on severity or recalcitrance, violations can

lead to formal compliance order or litigation Compliance assistance site visit

To provide you with help understanding the regulations

To suggest steps for improved compliance

Solid Waste Inspections FY 2007: 174 inspections performed Landfills, transfer stations, asbestos, tire

monofills, remediation sites, composting Overall compliance rate – 75% Landfills, transfer stations > 75% Composters, impoundments +/- 50%

Cross Media Compliance Inspections

Air Pollution Control Division & Solid Waste-Primarily Landfills to date

Hazardous Waste & Solid Waste-Complaint Driven

Local Health Depts. / Code Enforcement & Solid Waste -Complaints & Solid Waste Facilities

COGCC and Solid Waste: Drilling mud / fluids

Background on Cross Media Compliance Assistance at CDPHE

2003: CDPHE created cross media compliance assistance workgroup

Goals: Improved customer service Improved efficiency Engage in sector-based projects to achieve outcomes

greater than regulatory compliance:-Auto Salvage Sector, Correctional Facilities

Cross Media Compliance Assistance Air, Stormwater and Solid Waste (or Air & Solid

Waste) Onsite assistance provided to operators in

understanding and implementing the regulations Work in cooperative mode to identify what’s going

well, what needs improvement Identify and correct problems outside of

enforcement process

Benefits to Compliance Assistance Efficiency Training Chance to self-correct deficiencies outside of

the enforcement process More collaborative than compliance

inspection Better prepared for compliance inspection

Challenges to Implementing the Cross Media Approach

Coordination of inspector schedules Longer site visit required, more resource burden Reluctance to share information, requires trust

Ideas for Overcoming Challenges Always announced Point out what facility is doing well Solution oriented Enforcement amnesty Approach from a partnering standpoint, 2-way

dialogue Send out inspection checklist in advance Increase familiarity with quarterly outreach

meetings

Future Directions for Compliance Inspections / Assistance

Regional multi-media compliance assistance: Find host sites and invite other operators in the surrounding area

Self-certification Program: Compliance assistance prepares operators for self-audit

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