Transcript 10-16-07tomeqb.ppt

Final Amendments to the
Municipal & Residual Waste
Regulations
Environmental Quality Board
October 16, 2007
Thomas K. Fidler, Deputy Secretary
Office of Waste, Air and Radiation
Management
Notification of Proximity
to Military Airports
Background
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In 2004, DOD petitioned for revisions to
the municipal and residual waste
regulations to include:
addition of military airfields in the
definition of airports, and
notice requirements for transfer
stations.
DOD Issues & Concerns
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Bird strikes pose a real risk to military
aircraft.
The risk of bird strikes may increase in
the vicinity of waste transfer stations in
addition to landfills.
EQB Background
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EQB accepted the petition for study in
October 2004.
EQB recommended revisions to the
regulations in April 2005.
Amendments affect both the municipal
and residual waste regulations.
Final Amendments
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Amend the definition of airport to
include military airports.
Require applicants for landfills and
transfer stations to provide
notification.
Solid Waste Advisory Committee

Proposed amendments were discussed
at the July 14, 2005, SWAC meeting.
SWAC’s concerns:
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Unnecessary as transfer facilities are
primarily indoor operations.
Lack of timely response may delay permit
decision and will impose a burden to
industry.
DOD and DEP Rationale
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In consultation with DOD, the
Department decided to proceed with
the rulemaking because:
some facility activities do occur outside
the building, and
the requirements only apply to new and
expanded facilities.
Solid Waste Advisory Committee
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The Department discussed SWAC’s
concerns with DOD and returned to the
Committee on May 11, 2006.
Despite additional clarification and
justification, SWAC voted not to
recommend the amendments.
EQB Background
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EQB adopted the proposed rulemaking
in October 2006.
Published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin
on December 23, 2006, for 30-day
public comment.
Received comments from three
commenters.
Solid Waste Advisory Committee
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Final amendments were discussed at
the April 11, 2007, SWAC meeting.
SWAC members voted again to not
recommend the amendments.
Summary
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The amendments will minimally increase the
application cost.
The amendments will benefit personnel in
aircraft as they approach or depart the airport
and the surrounding communities by reducing
the potential risk of bird strikes to aircraft.
Request approval as final rulemaking.
Thank You
Thomas K. Fidler
Deputy Secretary, Office of Waste,
Air and Radiation Management
Kenneth Reisinger
Steve Socash
Susan Seighman
Bureau of Waste
Management
Bureau of Waste
Management
Bureau of Regulatory
Counsel