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
Sign up sheet