RCRC members are encouraged to submit comments on regulatory matters to state and federal regulatory bodies, and to provide a copy to RCRC’s Government Affairs staff.
Possible Adoption of Emergency Regulation to Add Tricolored Blackbird (Agelaius tricolor) to the List of Endangered Species: Would immediately list the tricolored blackbird as an endangered species under the California Endangered Species Act. Agency: California Fish and Game Commission Status: Considered on August 6, 2014, will revisit action when there is a petition to list, or the next nesting season is imminent. RCRC Comments: Click here RCRC Advocate: Staci Heaton sheaton@rcrcnet.org
Amendments to Statewide Water Quality Control Plans to Control Trash: Developing amendments to various water quality plans and permits to control trash. Agency: State Water Resources Control Board Status: Draft published on June 10, 2014 for a 45-day comment period, public hearing held August 5, 2014. Final draft release and adoption hearing TBA. RCRC Comments: Click here. RCRC Advocate: Staci Heaton sheaton@rcrcnet.org
Definition of “Waters of the United States” Under the Clean Water Act: Changes the definition of “Waters of the United States” in the Clean Water Act and expands federal jurisdiction over waterways. Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Status: Draft published on April 21, 2014 for a 180-day comment period, comments due October 20, 2014. RCRC Comments: Click here RCRC Advocate: Staci Heaton sheaton@rcrcnet.org
Carl Moyer Guidelines Update: The Executive Officer at ARB proposes to update the Moyer Guidelines to align with the Truck and Bus Amendments to expand funding eligibility and prioritize funds toward small fleets. Agency: California Air Resources Board Status: Proposed language posted July 8, 2014 for a 45-day public comment period, comments due August 22, 2014. RCRC comments: Staff is seeking input from member counties. The Moyer Guidelines Update information can be accessed here. RCRC Advocate: Mary Pitto mpitto@rcrcnet.org
California Carpet Stewardship Plan Annual Report: The Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) has submitted their annual report for review and approval. Agency: CalRecycle Status: Report posted July 1, 2014, comment period extended to August 29, 2014. RCRC comments: Staff is seeking input from member counties. The Annual Report can be accessed here. RCRC Advocate: Mary Pitto mpitto@rcrcnet.org
Air Toxics Hot Spots Draft Guidance Manual: The draft Guidance Manual provides an updated method to estimate health risks from air pollution sources that will increase the number of facilities subject to the “Hot Spots” program, requiring additional notifications or plans for reducing emissions. Agency: Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment Status: Draft language posted June 28, 2014 for a 45-day public comment period. Comments extended to August 18, 2014. RCRC comments: Staff is seeking input from member counties. The draft Guidance Manual can be accessed here. RCRC Advocate: Mary Pitto mpitto@rcrcnet.org
Revisions to Hazardous Waste Analysis Guidance Manual: The draft Guidance Manual provides guidance on how to develop and implement a Waste Analysis Plan (WAPA) suitable for managing hazardous wastes in accordance with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), assist permit writers in evaluating WAPs, and assist enforcement personnel in determining facility compliance. Agency: US Environmental Protection Agency Status: Draft language posted July 11, 2014 for a 45-day public comment period, ending August 24, 2014. RCRC comments: Staff is seeking input from member counties. The draft Guidance Manual can be accessed here. RCRC Advocate: Mary Pitto mpitto@rcrcnet.org
Updates to the New Source Performance Standards for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills: The proposed updates to air standards for new municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills would require certain landfills to begin controlling landfill gas at a lower emissions threshold than is currently required and would apply to landfills that begin construction, reconstruction, or modification after July 17, 2014. Agency: US Environmental Protection Agency Status: The update was noticed July 17, 2014, for a 60 day public review, ending September 15, 2014. RCRC comments: Staff is seeking input from member counties. The proposed performance standards can be accessed here. RCRC Advocate: Mary Pitto mpitto@rcrcnet.org
Reducing Emission from Municipal Solid Waste Landfills: An Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to request public input on how to update the Emission Guidelines and Compliance Times for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills was released. The update is seeking methods to reduce emissions from existing MSW landfills. Feedback will be evaluated to determine how and whether to update the guidelines for existing landfills. Agency: US Environmental Protection Agency Status: The request for public input was noticed July 17, 2014, for a 60 day public review, ending September 15, 2014. RCRC comments: Staff is seeking input from member counties. The document can be accessed here. RCRC Advocate: Mary Pitto mpitto@rcrcnet.org
Clean Power Plan: The Carbon Pollution Emissions Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources for Electric Utility Generating Units (Clean Power Plan) is a plan to cut carbon pollution from power plants. The Plan requires a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions to 30% below 2005 levels by 2030 and sets a goal for each state based upon where states are now. Agency: US Environmental Protection Agency Status: The proposed plan posted June 2, 2014m with comments due October 16, 2014. RCRC comments: Staff is seeking input from member counties. The Proposed Clean Power Plan can be accessed here. RCRC Advocate: Mary Pitto mpitto@rcrcnet.org
Preliminary Discussion Draft of Updates to the CEQA Guidelines: The preliminary discussion draft of updates to the CEQA Guidelines implement SB 743 (Steinberg, 2013) and address the evaluation of transportation impacts under CEQA. Agency: The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) Status: Draft language released August 6, 2014 with comments due by October 10, 2014. RCRC comments: Staff is seeking input from member counties. A copy of the preliminary discussion draft can be accessed here. RCRC Advocate: Mary Pitto mpitto@rcrcnet.org