Fall EnviroNews

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Fall 2014

In this Issue:


Commissioner's Corner

Commissioner Aho

Sometimes the role of a Commissioner is to champion important causes. It’s why I promoted the “Save Your Pipes: Don’t Flush Baby Wipes” campaign. Sure the title of the campaign is catchy, but the flushing of wipes is a concern for wastewater treatment operators around the country.  I was honored to receive an award from the Maine Water Environment Association for my efforts to promote this public-private supported campaign as it has Maine leading the nation on tackling an important issue that can cause environmental and economic concerns for homeowners and municipalities.   

And while promoting the "Save Your Pipes" campaign was fun, Governor LePage and I know that to truly help Maine’s wastewater treatment operators, ensuring funding for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund is vital as we move our economy and our environment forward in Maine.  Revenue from the State’s wholesale liquor contract was used to pay back hospitals for their overdue Mainecare costs and is also funding wastewater infrastructure improvements.  These additional funds will help ensure that the SRF program continues to meet the needs of the wastewater community.

Voters headed to the polls in November will decide on a $10 million bond for updates to Maine's aging drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, improvements to culverts and stream crossings, and restoration of wetlands. 

Our built infrastructure is what protects our environment and keeps us safe during a changing climate. As the Department moves from the field to our planning season, we look forward to working with municipalities to building a more resilient future. 


Rulemaking and Opportunities of Public Comment

The DEP maintains resources to engage Maine people in Department rulemaking and other opportunities for participation. Proposed rules available for comment and rulemaking meeting schedules, as well as proposed, recently enacted and pending regulations are available on the DEP Proposed Rulemaking webpage.

You can now sign up to receive rulemaking updates by managing your subscription from the link at the bottom of this e-mail.  

Upcoming Rulemaking (Dates and rules subject to change)

Chapter 850 – Identification of Hazardous Wastes

Chapter 853 – Licensing of Transporters of Hazardous Waste
Chapter 857 – Hazardous Waste Manifest Requirements
NEW Chapter 858 – Universal Wastes

Publication date:  September 23, 2014
Public Hearing: October 7, 2014, 1 p.m.  
Public comment period ends: October 17, 2014, 5 p.m.

The Department is proposing to amend the rules to support Maine’s waste management hierarchy by providing for a paint stewardship program, provide overall clarification of requirements for universal wastes, and eliminate the closure requirements for central accumulation facilities.   The new universal waste rule is created using universal waste sections from chapters 850, 853, and 857.

Chapter 3: Conduct of Licensing Hearings

Publication date:  October 8, 2014 
Public comment period ends:  November 10, 2014, 5 p.m.

The proposed amendment aligns the Department’s licensing hearing rule with the requirements of the Maine Administrative Procedures Act as amended by P.L. 2013, c. 300.

Chapter 401: Landfill Siting Design and Operation
Chapter 402: Transfer Station and Storage Sites for Solid Waste
Chapter 403: Incineration Facilities
Chapter 410: Composting Facilities
Chapter 419: Agronomic Utilization of Residuals

Publication date: October 8, 2014 
Public Comment period ends: November 7, 2014, 5 p.m.

The Department is proposing to amend the rules to correct formatting, update citations and cross-references, clarify existing language, and remove duplicative language. 

BUSTI Chapter 3 - Certification of Underground Tank Installers 

Publication date:  October 1, 2014
Public Hearing: October 21, 2014, 1 p.m. 
Public comment period ends: October 17, 2014, 5 p.m.

In order to ensure a similar level of training and experience for underground tank installers, the rule amendments will clarify the standards that applicants, primarily from outside of Maine, would need to meet to qualify for a variance from the tank installer apprenticeship program. The proposed amendments would also clarify reciprocity standards for applicants certified in another state, including consideration of their compliance record and that they are certified for tank removals as well as installations. 

BUSTI Chapter 6 - Certification of Underground Tank Inspectors   (Amendments)

Publication date:  October 1, 2014 
Public Hearing: October 21, 2014, 1 p.m. 
Public comment period ends: October 17, 2014, 5 p.m.

The Department is proposing to amend its Chapter 6, Certification of Underground Tank Inspectors rule to provide reciprocity for inspectors that are certified in another state.

Public Comment

Other opportunities for participation include public comment periods for Department agreements, planning and federal rulemaking opportunities at the DEP Opportunity for Comment webpage.

Sign up to receive notifications about hearings or public comment periods, or contact Mike Karagiannes (207) 287-7024.


Electronics Recycling

Goodwill staff and Commissioner Aho

One of Maine’s sayings is ‘use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without’, and that is how Mainer’s approach the challenges and activities of life. Never just ‘throw something away’ if it can be reused, repurposed or beneficially redirected. Goodwill Industries of Northern New England and Skills, Inc epitomize these values. 

Recently, Commissioner Aho toured Goodwill NNE’s  warehouse in Gorham and Skill's e-Waste Alternative in Waterville where employees at both organizations consolidate, dismantle and refurbish donated computers and other electronic equipment.  

The Department supports their market-based approaches to diverting materials from landfills ensures a successful and sustainable future.   


Commissioner Aho with Skills staff

Salt Management Training Availabile On-Demand

This on-demand session designed for snow plow contractors, property managers, and business owners. Instructors provide information on ways to minimize the use of salt for de-icing purposes, but at the same time provide an equivalent or an increased level of performance. In addition to information on the impacts of salt use, pre-treatment, application rates and brining is covered along with other important practices from Maine’s newly developed best management practices manual for snow and ice removal.


Comment Period for EPA's Water of the US

On September 22, DEP officials joined state and local government officials throughout New England in Worcester, Massachusetts to provide comments on the US EPA and Army Corps of Engineers’ proposed definition of Waters of the United States.

State and local officials are encouraged to submit comments on the proposed definition to the State and Local Government Advisory Committee which consists of state and local officials throughout the nation. 

Written comments on the proposed rule can be submitted to Eargle.Frances@epa.gov  before October 10. The Committee will be having a meeting by teleconference on October 10 from 12:00-1:30 where it will form its recommendations to EPA regarding the proposed rule.


Drug Take Back News

19,060 pounds of drugs were collected on the September 27 Drug Take Back Day in Maine. This was the largest amount collected during any previous fall collection.  An impressive 152,720 pounds of drugs have been collected over the past nine drug take backs days in Maine.   

Drug Take Backs are an important public safety and environmental protection tool. Thousands of pounds of old, expired or unwanted medications have been kept out of Maine's water bodies and the wrong hands because of the program. 

Nearly 40,000 pounds have been incinerated in Maine instead of trucked out-of-state. Through a pilot project between DEP and ecomaine and under the supervision of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, the drugs were incinerated at ecomaine and air quality results remained well within federal guidelines. The Department is amending ecomaine's license so future collections can be disposed in Maine.   

This is good news for future collection events. September 27 was the last National Drug Take Back day but future law enforcement led drug take back collections costs will be reduced by sending the medications to ecomaine rather than out-of-state. 


Training Opportunities

As part of our commitment to supporting and engaging our partners in environmental protection, DEP and our partners host many educational opportunities across Maine. For a complete list of training opportunities, visit the Maine DEP Training web page.  

Erosion Control Practices for Contractors locations across the State.

Environmental Professional Education Series: Regulatory Practice October 9, Augusta, simulcast to Bangor, Portland and Presque Isle

Environmental Professional Education Series: DEP VRAP Update October 16, Augusta, simulcast to Bangor, Portland and Presque Isle

Oil Tank Installer and Inspector Examination, October 29, Augusta.

Environmental Professional Education Series: Rulemaking Update October 30, Augusta, simulcast to Bangor, Portland and Presque Isle

Salt Management Training for contractors and road crews, Brewer, Lewiston, Portland.

Lake Smart Training for Landscape and Nurserymen, November 13, Portland.

Continuing Education Program for Certified Contractors: Permitting 101, Augusta, Gorham, Bangor

Code Enforcement Officer training calendar

Maine DOT Local Roads Program workshops