Local Enforcement Agency Correspondence

Southern California Fire Emergencies

Date: October 31, 2003

To: All Local Enforcement Agencies

This all LEA e-mail was sent on behalf of the LEA Support Services Branch of the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB).

The California's Office of Emergency Services has requested the assistance and support of Cal/EPA as the Southern California wildfires emergency moves into the recovery phase. In particular, the Integrated Waste Management Board and Local Enforcement Agencies can expect requests for assistance with:

• Debris management and disposal
• Household hazardous waste collection and storage
• Ash clean up and disposal

Proclamations of Emergency

As of today, local and state emergency proclamations are in effect in the following counties:

• San Diego
• Riverside
• Los Angeles
• San Bernardino
• Ventura

Waivers

LEAs in these and surrounding counties have already issued waivers of standards and more waiver requests are pending. The processing of all waiver requests appears to be running smoothly, however, should it be needed, please remember that guidance on the issuance of emergency waivers is available in LEA Advisory #41: Emergency Waiver of Standards.

Disaster Assistance

Further, guidance on disaster debris management, including selecting and securing temporary storage sites is available in LEA Advisory #43: Disaster Assistance. LEA Advisory #43 also contains guidance on financial and technical assistance.

Disaster Waste Tracking

Jurisdictions can deduct disaster waste tonnage in their annual reports to the Board so that it will not negatively impact their diversion rates. In order for jurisdictions to be able to claim this disposal reduction, it is very important that disaster waste be tracked at disposal facilities. Disaster waste needs to be tracked separately. For each disaster waste load received, facilities need to record the tons by jurisdiction. Applicable jurisdictions will need to be able to obtain an accounting that shows how much disaster waste originated from their jurisdiction. If this data is not tracked in this manner, it is very difficult for jurisdictions to substantiate a disposal reduction and thus, negatively impacts their ability to achieve their mandated diversion goals.

LEAs have better knowledge of areas that burned and facilities that are receiving disaster waste. We ask that you assist us in notifying all applicable facilities regarding these record needs. Additional information regarding disaster waste can be found in the Disaster Plan document which provides guidance to the disaster preparedness planning efforts of local government.

Contact Information

Please contact Sherrie Sala-Moore, Supervisor of the Disposal Reporting Unit at (916) 341-6204 if you have any questions on tracking disaster waste.

Please direct any other questions related to this emergency to your Permitting and Inspection contact or to Robert Holmes  at (916) 341-6376.

Additional messages will follow, as necessary, as we receive further developments and/or requests for assistance and support.

Thank you,
Melissa Hoover-Hartwick
LEA Support Services
(916) 341-6813

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