Daily Archives: July 9, 2016

ADEQ Launches Reimbursement Programs for Leaking Underground Storage Tanks

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PHOENIX— Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today the launch of two programs designed to reimburse eligible underground storage tank (UST) owners and operators who incurred environmental cleanup costs for leaking underground storage tanks (LUSTs).

In 2015, the Arizona legislature enacted HB 2636, which modified the ways the penny-per-gallon UST tax can be used. The penny-per-gallon tax provides funding to clean up environmental hazards created by LUSTs.

UST owners and operators who were ‘time-barred’ from submitting costs for reimbursement after the sunset of the former state assurance fund (SAF) on June 30, 2010, now have the opportunity to seek repayment by submitting a ‘UST time-barred claim’ application. Legislation allows ADEQ to provide reimbursement for eligible owners and operators of up to 90 percent of the approved cleanup costs incurred after June 30, 2010.

To be considered, all ‘time-barred’ applications must be submitted to ADEQ by Dec. 31, 2016. ADEQ urges eligible parties to act now and submit their applications before the deadline.

UST owners, operators or landowners also may be eligible for ADEQ’s UST Preapproval Program, which provides financial assistance for corrective action costs that are not being covered by a financial assurance mechanism. ADEQ will work closely with applicants to develop a cleanup plan and path to closure for their USTs.

“These two reimbursement programs provide opportunities for qualifying UST owners and operators (and, in some cases, landowners) to get part or all of their cleanup costs covered,” ADEQ Waste Programs Division Director Laura Malone said. “It is a win-win for our customers and the environment. We are encouraging those who believe they qualify for either program to review information on our website to see if they are eligible.”

To find out more about the UST Time-Barred Program, visit azdeq.gov/ust/time-barred

To find out more about the UST Preapproval Program, visit azdeq.gov/ust/preapproval

Paving work to begin July 11 on US 89 in Cameron

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CAMERON — Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) crews will be paving on US 89 from the State Route 64 junction through Cameron (milepost 465 to 467) beginning Monday (July 11) to Friday (July 15) for the final phase of paving on the US 89 widening project.

Motorists who travel along US 89 in the project area can expect to encounter delays while one-lane restrictions are in place for both north- and southbound travel. Work will take place from 6 am to 6 pm daily and will require a 12’ width restriction during paving operations.

Directional signage and flaggers will be present during construction. ADOT advises to allow for extra time for travel during construction and to be alert for equipment and personnel in the work zone.

Flight restrictions imposed over wildfires near Tusayan

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image013TUSAYAN — The two lightning-caused wildfires that are being managed to improve forest health on the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest are now being actively suppressed to ensure public and firefighter safety. Drier conditions combined with higher wind speeds prompted managers to adjust plans, however the fires continue to accomplish land management objectives that were originally identified.

The 679-acre Airstrip Fire is 50% contained. It has shown no growth over night and is still holding within the designated planning area. Engine crews will continue to patrol and mop up along containment lines working toward full containment. Smoke will continue to be noticeable but will be light with minimal impacts to Tusayan.

The Scott Fire continues to be active growing approximately 110 acres yesterday bringing the total burned area to 2485 acres. Crews are assessing the terrain to establish a safe approach in order to begin constructing control lines as close as possible to the active fire edge. Additional resources have been brought in to hasten the direct attack approach. With higher winds predicted in the short term forecast, managers are striving to have control lines in place before the expected winds arrive.

A temporary flight restriction has been implemented over the area of the fire in order to allow fire aircraft to work safely without conflicts from touring aircraft in the high traffic corridor near Grand Canyon.

An area surrounding a 9 mile section of the Arizona Trail and has been closed by special order (Order Number: 07-16-07-F) for the purpose of ensuring public safety. Trail users are directed to follow an alternate detour route along forest road 310 adjacent to the closed section of trail. Members of the public are asked to avoid driving into areas where fire personnel are working to ensure firefighter and public safety.

Both fires will continue to produce some visible smoke that may be seen from the communities of Tusayan, Valle, Cameron, Tuba City, and from both rims of the Grand Canyon.

Thursday is deadline to apply for Local Sportsmen’s Group grants

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds local sportsmen’s organizations that the deadline to apply for $75,000 in annual grant funding is 5 p.m. (MST) Thursday, July 14. Postmarks do not count.

The purpose of the grant program is to support organizations in providing public, hands-on, mentored projects that provide continued skill development for those who just started hunting and fishing.

The priority funding focus of this year’s grant program is on moving beginners from the recruitment stage to the retention stage of the Adoption Sequence. Projects and events that involve the pursuit or harvest of wildlife or fish with a license are being requested. Grants will be awarded through a competitive application process and must be open to the public.

To apply, download an application packet from www.azgfd.gov/LSG. Completed applications should be submitted by e-mail to: dburt@azgfd.gov. Call Doug Burt, hunting and shooting sports program manager, at (623) 236-7487 to confirm receipt.

Burt said there are many organizations that do great work, but lack the funding to carry out the important work of passing down the hunting and angling heritage to the next generation of wildlife conservationists and stewards. The Local Sportsmen’s Group grant program is the Department’s and the Commission’s commitment to the important role they play in conservation.

“Based on the developing science and data in recruitment and retention, there is a need for programs that provide beginners with the next progressive step necessary to become self-reliant as a hunter or angler,” Burt said. “Local sportsmen’s organizations offer a perfect solution because they are part of the community and can provide the continued skills and social support that beginners need.”

There is no cost to Arizona taxpayers for this grant program. Game and Fish does not receive any of the state’s general tax funds and operates under a user-pay, public-benefit model. The grant program is an investment in the continuance of wildlife conservation efforts and outdoors recreation participation in Arizona.

To learn more about how hunters, anglers, shooters and boaters fund wildlife conservation, visit www.azgfd.gov/h_f/federal-aid-cycle.shtml.

ADEQ to host waste material compliance workshop if Flagstaff

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Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Waste Programs staff will conduct a Waste Compliance Workshop where attendees will learn about Solid and Hazardous Waste Regulations and ADEQ’s Pollution Prevention Program. ADEQ encourages community members, businesses and government agencies to attend this no-cost workshop.

The seminar will be held in Flagstaff at the Arizona Game and Fish office at 3500 Lake Mary Road. The seminar will be Tuesday, July 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Topics include

Solid Waste:

  • Proper handling of Used Oil
  • Petroleum Contaminated Soil Disposal
  • Biohazardous Medical Waste (including tattoo needles)
  • Prescription and Non-prescription drug disposal
  • Used and Waste Tires
  • Illegal Dumping

Hazardous Waste:

  • Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and hazardous waste regulations
  • Hazardous waste generator classes (LQG, SQG, CESQG)
  • Common hazardous wastes by industry
  • What to expect when you’re inspected
  • Top 10 most common hazardous waste violations
  • New ADEQ hazardous waste inspection checklist.
  • myDEQ RCRQA EPA ID Registration

Hazardous Waste Manifest and Reporting:

  • Preparing the Perfect Manifest – Instructions on how to submit a hazardous waste manifest, including: Timeliness; Which manifest copy to submit; Common omissions and errors; And readability.
  • Submitting a Biennial Hazardous Waste Facility Annual Report – This will take you through the steps of using the free BRSW software from Florida to submit an LQG FAR; How to download and set up the software; The advantages to using the software over hardcopy versions; Tricks to compiling data; And how to zip and submit the report.

Pollution Prevention:

  • What’s new in Pollution Prevention including a review of the program statutes, thresholds and plan requirements
  • Examples on successful goals
  • The improved P2 plan forms.

Underground Storage Tanks:
Tired of getting two different stories regarding your USTs? Get the facts in this informative 1 hour session on UST rule updates and requirements for keeping your UST systems in compliance.