Local Enforcement Agency Correspondence

Section Responsibilities in Remediation, Closure and Technical Services Branch

Date: May 10, 2002

To: All Local Enforcement Agencies

Since the reestablishment of the Closed, Illegal, and Abandoned Sites (CIA) Section it has come to our attention that we need to provide information to Local Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) regarding the delegation of duties among the three (3) sections within the Remediation, Closure, and Technical Services (RCTS) Branch. The purpose of this document is to clarify the various responsibilities of the three Branch sections.

The Closure and Technical Services (Closure) Section is responsible for all Department of Defense (DoD) sites and all landfills and solid waste disposal sites subject to the closure regulations. These disposal sites include: (1) all sites operated after January 1, 1988, (2) those sites that ceased operation prior to that date but did not complete closure activities in accordance with all applicable regulations, and (3) all new post closure land uses. Closure Section responsibilities include review and approval of closure and post closure maintenance plans (including clean closure plans), post closure land use proposals, and remediation plans. The Closure Section also provides technical assistance at operating sites for landfill gas and other technical issues.

The CIA Section is responsible for assisting the LEAs in the identification, inspection, and evaluation of all closed, illegal, and abandoned (CIA) solid waste disposal sites not closed under landfill closure requirements [i.e., sites not subject to the closure regulations pursuant to Title 27, Section 21100(b). Please note that pursuant to Title 27, Section 21100(d), CIA sites may be required to comply with the closure standards as required by LEAs to protect public health and safety and the environment. These sites are commonly referred to as pre-1988 sites.]. Oversight responsibility for CIA sites where closure activities (including clean closure) and/or a post closure land use is proposed would be shifted to the Closure Section. Once the closure and/or post closure activity has been completed, long-term oversight would revert to the CIA Section. On a case-by-case basis, oversight of clean closure may remain with the CIA Section. The Enforcement Assistance & Facility Compliance Loan (EA) Section of the Facilities Operations Branch has oversight responsibility for CIA sites within EA jurisdictions and certain rural jurisdictions and would perform the same functions as the CIA unit. The EA Section also provides assistance with enforcement actions.

The Solid Waste Cleanup Programs Section is responsible for the investigation and oversight of sites that are potential cleanup program sites for both the 2136 and Farm and Ranch Programs. Once remediation is complete at these sites or the sites are determined not to be viable cleanup program sites, long-term oversight would revert to the Closure, CIA, or EA Sections as appropriate.

The following table is a representation of the above narrative.

For more information please see the organization charts and staff contacts for the RCTS Branch and the Permitting and Enforcement Division.

Should you have any questions or comments concerning the above matter, please contact me at (916) 341-6319.

Sincerely,

Original signed by

Scott Walker, Manager
Remediation, Closure, and Technical Services

LEA Correspondence Home