Interagency Compliance Team In King County

Coordinators:

Sue Hamilton, Local Hazardous Waste Management Program

Rachel Best, Washington State Department of Ecology

Interagency Compliance Team

What: Resolve problems before gross contamination

occurs

Reduce community costs and threats

How: Coordinate agencies

Obtain compliance

Car batteries stacked and buried in mud

Photo by ICT members

Fluids Leaking From A Crushed Car

Photo by ICT members

Photo stripped out for email

Cars and hazardous waste buried in the tire pile

Photo by ICT members

Clean Up - Removal of chlorine gas cylinders

Photo by ICT members

2005 EPA Brownfields Grant

Enabled ICT to address:

Communities at disproportionate risk

Historical contamination from non-compliant businesses or individuals

Resources in these communities

Agency Participation

Puget Sound Clean Air Agency

Fire Departments

Code Enforcement Agencies

Department of Ecology

Environmental Protection Agency

Labor & Industries

Health Departments

King County DNRP (Hazardous Waste, Solid Waste, Storm Water and Water Quality Divisions)

Local Police Departments

Seattle Public Utilities

Washington State Patrol

Potential Savings If We Act Early

Example of Estimated Cleanup Costs Traditional approach: Auto Wrecking Facility (Green River): >$5,000,000

Coordinated approach: 2nd Location (Pacific Highway): $50,000

Accelerated enforcement and legal support: 3rd Location $0.00

Comparison of Estimated Cleanup Cost Based on Approach

Most Common Violations

Improper storage and disposal

Illegal discharges

Illegal burning

Illegal dumping

Success

Before After

Photo by ICT members

Oil Recycling Facility Located both in City of Seattle and Unincorporated King County

Before After

Photo by ICT members

More Drums stored across the Street

Before After

Photos by ICT members

Advantages of the Team Approach

Agencies share resources and expertise

Prevents redundancy and conflicts

Photo © Google Images

http://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/teamwork.jpg

ICT recognition: Outstanding investigative effort

Photo by ICT member

Conclusion

ICT effectively achieves compliance at recalcitrant businesses

ICT prevents Brownfields sites by intervening before gross contamination occurs

Questions?