Title
Environmental Management Department recommending the Board adopt a Resolution authorizing the Director of said Department to execute and submit an application and all necessary documentation to the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) to secure grant funding in an amount up to $54,820 for a term of three years for the implementation of the California Electronic Reporting System (CERS) as provided by AB 2286.
FUNDING: Cal/EPA Certified Unified Program Agencies Trust Fund.
Resolution 032-2011
Body
BUDGET SUMMARY: |
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Total Estimated Cost |
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$ |
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Funding |
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Budgeted |
$ |
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New Funding |
$54,820 |
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Savings |
$ |
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Other |
$ |
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Total Funding Available |
$54,820 |
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Change To Net County Cost |
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$0 |
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: There is no change in Net County Cost. If approved by the Cal/EPA, the Department will bring back the appropriate budget adjustments. No matching contribution is required for this grant.
Background: Industry supported SB 1082, approved by the Governor on September 20, 1993, requires local jurisdictions to apply for State certification to implement State mandated hazardous materials and hazardous waste programs. The legislation consolidates implementation of the various hazardous materials and hazardous waste inspection and enforcement activities into single agencies known as Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPAs). The County of El Dorado Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution 311-95 authorizing Environmental Management to execute a CUPA application to Cal/EPA. The County of El Dorado Environmental Management Department received certification from Cal/EPA in 1996.
Owners and operators of businesses subject to the CUPA programs periodically submit reports of their hazardous materials handling and hazardous waste generation activities to the Environmental Management Department. Currently they are hard copy, paper reports. Environmental Management Department staff enters this information into a database known as Envision. The information is then transmitted to local fire agencies and is referenced during response to hazardous materials incidents.
During facility inspections Environmental Management staff record observations and violation information on hard copy inspection reports. This information is also entered into the Envisions database. On an annual basis staff summarizes facility, inspection and enforcement data and submits reports to Cal/EPA.
AB 2286 was signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on September 29, 2008 and went into effect January 1, 2009. It requires all regulated businesses and CUPAs in the State of California to report electronically to Cal/EPA no later than January 1, 2013. The legislation also provides a funding mechanism for the transition from paper reporting to electronic reporting. On July 21, 2009, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors passed a Resolution approving the fee collection (Legistar Item # 09-0912).
Statewide the fee is expected to generate approximately $10 million in revenue over the three year period. Of this amount, 25%, or about $2 million, will remain with Cal/EPA for the development and ongoing maintenance and support of the states data submission portal and data exchange system. The remaining $8 million is now being distributed to the CUPAs to support the development of electronic reporting systems. The funds are being distributed via a grant application process. As the CUPA, the County of El Dorado Environmental Management Department is eligible to submit a grant application.
Reason for Recommendation: This grant will be used to prepare Environmental Management and regulated businesses for the new electronic reporting requirements. Funds will be utilized to upgrade the Department's Envision database and provide business owners with access to computer terminals. It will also be used to conduct public workshops that provide training for the program.
Action to be taken following Board approval: Upon execution by the Chair, the Board Clerks Office will forward the resolution to Environmental Management for submittal with the grant application.
Contact: Gerri Silva, MS, REHS, Director of Environmental Management
Concurrences: