Category Archives: Arizona Department of Environmental Quality

ADEQ Recognizes Town of Springerville Leadership in Proactive Environmental Protection Programs

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SPRINGERVILLE — Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today that the Town of Springerville in Apache County is the third municipality in the state to complete a Small Community Environmental Protection Plan (SCEPP).

With a SCEPP in place, Springville is now better positioned to contribute to a cleaner, natural environment and more livable community. The Town also is eligible for up to a 100 percent penalty reduction for future environmental violations.

Steve West, Springerville Town Manager said, “Participation in the ADEQ Small Communities Environmental Compliance Assistance Program exemplifies the Town of Springerville’s commitment to continual improvement and environmentally stewardship for the benefit of those we serve.”

A SCEPP is a component of the ADEQ Small Communities Environmental Compliance Assistance Program (SCECAP). Small cities, towns and special water and wastewater districts often lack resources and staff to address their environmental concerns. This program helps them comply with state and federal environmental laws and reduce the number of violations and enforcement actions.

“We are committed to helping small communities in the state affordably protect their public health and air, land and water resources,” said ADEQ Director Misael Cabrera. “We congratulate the Town of Springerville for being a leader in the effort to build environmental cooperation and hope other small towns and wastewater and water districts join the program,” Director Cabrera added.

With completion of this milestone, the Town of Springerville also applied for recognition under Arizona’s Voluntary Environmental Stewardship Program (VESP). ADEQ accepted the Town into the VESP at the Silver Level for its superior compliance history demonstrated by at least three years without environmental enforcement action.

The Silver Level recognizes organizations going above and beyond what is legally required to prevent pollution and conserve natural resources. The Town of Springerville has an ongoing commitment to protect air quality through its Branch Cleanup Project, which reduces smoke in residential neighborhoods. Town officials are measuring program participation, working to increase each year.

ADEQ will present the Town with Certificates of Recognition for both proactive, voluntary environmental protection programs at the Jan. 20, Springerville Town Council meeting.

ADEQ, ADOT and Keep Arizona Beautiful Host Free Environmental Resources Roadshow in Wickenburg

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PHOENIX —Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and Keep Arizona Beautiful (KAZB) staff will conduct an “Environmental Resources Roadshow,” where attendees will learn about ways to improve their local environment.

Wickenburg
Thurs., Jan. 28, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Wickenburg Council Chambers
155 N. Tegner St.
Wickenburg, AZ 85390

The Environmental Resources Roadshow partnership encourages community members, business people, elected officials, government agencies, and school representatives in Wickenburg and the surrounding area to attend one of the no-cost, two-hour events. Following brief presentations, attendees can engage in open dialogue and participate in a question and answer session.

Topics

> ADEQ: successful recycling programs such as electronic waste and food recovery
> ADEQ: how communities can benefit from ADEQ’s brownfields grants and technical expertise
> ADOT: volunteer process for adopting sections of Arizona highways for litter cleanup
> KAZB: statewide litter prevention, recycling and beautification programs

If you are interested in the Environmental Resources Roadshow presenting in your community in 2016, please call one of the listed contacts.

Aftermath Solutions, Inc. to Provide 5000 Arizona First Responders with Free Safety Training per Agreement with ADEQ

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PHOENIX — Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today that Illinois-based Aftermath Solutions, Inc., a biohazardous medical waste remediation provider, will complete a $150,000 Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) to provide free, mandatory Occupational Safety and Health Administration blood-borne pathogen training to Arizona first responders over the next three years.

“Providing a statewide training benefit for 5000 first responders directly supports ADEQ’s efforts to protect human health and the environment,” said Laura Malone, ADEQ Waste Programs Division Director. “The terms of this agreement are a strong example of how at ADEQ, we always look for and support creative ways to turn enforcement measures into actions that further our communities’ safety and security,” she added.

Aftermath now is operating in compliance with Arizona’s biohazardous medical waste requirements and has resolved noted deficiencies in keeping with ADEQ’s mission to protect and enhance public health and the environment in Arizona.

In addition to the statewide first responder training benefit the Aftermath SEP provides, the company will pay a $5,000 penalty for its now resolved biohazardous medical waste violations in Phoenix, Arizona.

The consent judgment is subject to court approval.

ADEQ Seeks Applicants for $1.7 Million in Water Quality Improvement Grant Funds to Protect and Enhance Arizona’s Waters

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PHOENIX — ADEQ is requesting and accepting applications to fund projects that implement on-the-ground water quality improvements that reduce nonpoint source pollution caused by runoff in areas where ADEQ has established water protection plans. ADEQ’s focus is to fund projects in previously identified priority areas with the goal of maximizing environmental benefits. Focus areas include Granite Creek near Prescott, Oak Creek near Sedona, San Francisco River near Clifton, and San Pedro River near St. David.

ADEQ encourages all eligible individuals, non-profits, municipalities, and others to apply to take actions to restore, protect and improve waters in these priority areas. To learn more, ADEQ invites interested parties to join its informational webinar on Jan. 5, during which Water Quality Improvement Grant Program (WQIG) eligibility requirements, guidelines and priority areas will be reviewed. Please contact Jake Breedlove at (602) 771-4243 or sb12@azdeq.gov to register.

“Our experience has shown that applying proven management techniques through a community-based approach is highly effective in protecting Arizona’s precious waters as well as making progress toward restoring areas of concern to healthy conditions for future generations,” said ADEQ Water Quality Division Director Trevor Baggiore.

WQIG Deadlines and Awards

Mandatory pre-proposals are due 3 p.m., Fri., Jan. 15, 2016
Final applications are due 3 p.m. Fri., Feb. 12, 2016
ADEQ expects to announce the grant awards in May 2016

WQIG Resources
Water Quality Improvement Grants (WQIG) Request for Grant Applications (PDF)
Water Quality Improvement Grant Cycle Grant Manual (PDF)

Other required forms: http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/water/watershed/improvement.html

ADEQ Awards $412,000 Water Quality Improvement Grant to Arizona Game and Fish Department

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ADEQ logo resizedPHOENIX — Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today a $412,000 Water Quality Improvement Grant to the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) to improve water quality in the San Pedro River, Little Colorado River and Oak Creek. AZGFD will provide more than $274,000 in matching funds.

ADEQ’s first formal agreement committing funds from both partnering agencies to specific projects in shared priority areas will also further the goals of multiple state and federal initiatives. Eligible projects will protect and restore water quality, grass and rangeland health and wildlife habitats in priority areas identified by ADEQ and AZGFD in the state Nonpoint Source Management Plan and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Regional Conservation Partnership Program and National Water Quality Initiative.

“We think this will be a great framework for broadening our audience and customer base, and also for potentially implementing projects at low or no cost to landowners beyond maintenance requirements,” said ADEQ Water Quality Division Director Trevor Baggiore.

Leveraging resources across state and federal partners will result in the reduction of impairment-causing pollutants, improvement of grassland habitat for wildlife, improved grazing practices.

Baggiore added, “Teaming up with AZGFD’s Landowner Relations Program, which has a longstanding, strong local presence and ties to rural water management areas, will strengthen ADEQ’s ability to partner with rural landowners in identifying priority on-the-ground projects.”

“Many of ADEQ’ water quality improvement goals dovetail nicely with grassland, rangeland and habitat improvement goals we share with ranchers and other partnering agencies,” said Wade Zarlingo, AZGFD Landowner Relations Program Coordinator.

ADEQ will evaluate the effectiveness of these projects for improving water quality. Matching funds for projects will be provided by a combination of AZGFD state funding, landowner contributions, in-kind services, and Arizona Department of Agriculture Livestock Crop Conservation Grant Program.

Proposed Arizona State Implementation Plan Revision Rescinding Outdated Provisions to Update the State Plan

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The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) opens a 30-day public comment period today, December 9, 2015, for a proposed revision to the State Implementation Plan (SIP). This SIP revision updates the SIP by removing state statutory provisions, administrative and prohibitory rules, and test methods that have been identified as outdated, irrelevant, or previously repealed.

A public hearing will be held on Monday, January 11, 2016, at 9:00 AM in the ADEQ Building, Conference Room 3100A, 1110 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007. All interested parties will be given an opportunity to submit their comments, data, and views both verbally and in writing. Written comments shall state the name and mailing address of the person, be signed by the person, their agent or attorney, and clearly set forth reasons why the SIP revision should or should not be finalized. To request an auxiliary aid or service for accessible communication, please contact ADEQ’s Human Potential Office Department at (602) 771-4791 or at HPO_AZDEQ@azdeq.gov or dial 7-1-1 for TTY/TTD Services.

If you are unable to attend the public hearing, your written comments should be addressed, faxed, or e-mailed to Justine E. Miller, miller.justine@azdeq.gov, (602) 771-6723, Air Quality Division, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, 1110 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007. All comments must be received by January 11, 2016, at 5:00PM.

Copies of the revisions’ proposal are available for review, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., in the ADEQ Records Center, 1110 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007, (602) 771-4712. The proposal can also be accessed through ADEQ’s Website (PDF). The final SIP revision will be submitted to EPA following consideration of all comments received during the public notice period.

2015 ‘No Burn’ Campaign Kicks Off

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no-burn_modPHOENIX — Officials from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and the Maricopa County Air Quality Department (MCAQD) announced the kickoff of their annual Maricopa County ‘No Burn’ campaign.

Smoke from wood-burning fireplaces and chimineas during winter months poses a serious health threat to children with asthma, the elderly and those with respiratory issues. Smoke, which contains soot particles, can be absorbed into the blood stream and lessen lung function, exacerbate bronchitis and asthma and increase chances for heart attacks and premature death.

Left uncorrected, high levels of Particulate Matter-2.5 (PM 2.5) from smoke could cause Maricopa County to exceed the federal health standards, leading to more burdensome and costly federal regulation.

This is the third year of the ‘No Burn’ campaign and this past winter season was its most successful. For the first time in 11 years, Maricopa County residents benefited from no exceedances of the state and federal annual 24-hour health standard for PM 2.5, on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. Maricopa County also met the annual federal health standard for PM 2.5.

“We want to thank the residents of Maricopa County for supporting last year’s ‘No Burn’ campaign, which allowed everyone to enjoy cleaner air,” Maricopa County Air Quality Director Philip McNeely said. “We must remain vigilante, however, because without voluntary compliance, there could be stricter regulations and stronger fines.”

This season, ADEQ and MCAQD are joined by nearly 100 partners and stakeholders including several cities, towns and county agencies, Bashas’ Family of Stores, Arizona Rock Products Association, and the Arizona Chapter Associated General Contractors, all involved since the very beginning. This year, several new partners including the Arizona Association of Community Managers, the Better Business Bureau, Tonto National Forrest, and Lyft also are contributing to this worthy cause.

ADEQ Air Quality Division Director Eric Massey said, “Building on last year’s successful ‘No Burn” campaign, the focus for 2015 is strengthening and expanding our partners and leveraging technology to reach more Maricopa County residents than ever before using innovative and cost-effective ways.”

MCAQD issues no burn days throughout the winter season and asks county residents to refrain from lighting wood-burning fires on those designated days. To find out if it is a no burn day, visit CleanAirMakeMore.com, download the Clean Air Make More mobile app or call (602) 506-6400.

For more information, call Caroline Oppleman with ADEQ at (602) 771-2215 or Bob Huhn with MCAQD at (602) 506-6713.

ADEQ and Partners Host Free Environmental Resources Roadshows in Payson and Holbrook

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PHOENIX — Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today that ADEQ, Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Adopt a Highway Volunteer Programs and Keep Arizona Beautiful (KAZB) staff will conduct two “Environmental Resources Roadshows”:

Payson
Wed., Dec. 2, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Payson Council Chambers
303 N. Beeline Highway
Payson, AZ 85541

Holbrook
Thurs., Dec. 3, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Navajo County Courthouse Auditorium
100 E. Arizona St.
Holbrook, AZ 86025

ADEQ encourages community members, business people, public officials, and school representatives in Payson, Holbrook and the surrounding area to attend one of the no-cost, two-hour events. Following brief presentations, attendees can engage in open dialogue and participate in a question and answer session.

Topics

  • ADEQ: successful municipal recycling programs such as electronic waste and food recovery
  • ADEQ: how communities can benefit from ADEQ’s brownfields grants and technical expertise
  • ADOT: volunteer process for adopting sections of Arizona highways for litter cleanup
  • KAZB: statewide litter prevention, recycling and beautification programs

If you are interested in the Environmental Resources Roadshow presenting in your community in 2016, please call one of the listed contacts.

Background
ADEQ’s recycling program, which began 1991, has facilitated recycling initiatives in every county in Arizona. Currently, the program focuses on hosting environmental roadshows across the state, particularly in rural areas, to educate Arizonans about what they can do to establish or enhance recycling programs to protect and preserve their environment. For detailed information, please visit:

  • Recycling: http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/waste/solid/recycle.html
  • Electronic waste recycling: http://azdeq.gov/environ/waste/p2/ewastetoolkit/index.html
  • Food recovery: http://www2.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food

Brownfields are properties with active redevelopment potential hindered by known or perceived environmental contamination. ADEQ’s non-competitive brownfields grant program has funded more than 50 projects assisting local governments and nonprofits in completing environmental assessments and cleanups. Currently accepting applications, ADEQ’s brownfields grant program conducts projects through Arizona’s State Response Grant using funds provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Visit http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/waste/cleanup/brownfields.html.

Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program – 2016 Request for Proposals is Open

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On November 3, 2015 the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) announced an RFP for this public-private partnership, funded in part by EPA’s Wetlands and Urban Waters Programs and the US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service and in conjunction with the Urban Waters Federal Partnership.

Approximately $2.1 million in combined total funding will be available to support projects such as stormwater management, addressing water scarcity, source water protection as well as wetlands, riparian, forest and water quality protection and restoration projects in local communities especially underserved communities across the country. In 2016, the Urban Waters Federal Partnership will give special consideration to projects which directly advance priorities of the 19 Urban Water Federal Partnership designated locations. For more information the priorities of the 19 designated locations, go to: http://www2.epa.gov/urbanwaterspartners/news-about-urban-waters#projectbackgrounds.

The geographic boundaries of the designated locations can be found in the RFP on the NFWF website.

NFWF will host a webinar for potential applicants on November 18, 2015. This RFP closes February 3, 2016.

For more information go to www.nfwf.org/fivestar.

ADEQ Public Hearing Reminder for haze rule

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) will be holding a public hearing on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at 1:30PM in the ADEQ Building, Conference Room 3100B, 1110 Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007. All interested parties will be given an opportunity to submit their comments, data, and views both verbally and in writing.

Copies of the proposal are available for review at the ADEQ Records Center, First Floor, 1110 W. Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007, (602) 771-4712. The proposal can also be viewed online at https://www.azdeq.gov/calendar/sip_regional_haze.pdf. For additional information regarding the hearing, please contact Justine E. Miller, ADEQ, Air Quality Division, at (602)771-6723 or Miller.Justine@azdeq.gov.

Persons with a disability may request reasonable accommodations by contacting Alicia Pollard at (602)771-4791 or aap@azdeq.gov.