Work Plan & Progress Report - Rhode Island Department of ...

Attachment D – Customer and Technical Assistance Joint Evaluation
The RIDEM/EPA joint evaluation for Compliance Assistance Program took place during the 14 th
Annual New England Planning Meeting for Enforcement, Compliance & Assistance meeting held on
June 18, 2009 at Worcester State College, Worcester, Massachusetts.
Participants at the Rhode Island Breakout Session included:
RIDEM: Ron Gagnon David Chopy, Tracy Tyrrell, Ted Burns DEM
EPA: Larry Wells, Deb Harstedt, Rich Piligian, Joel Blumstein, Tom McCusker, Dave Turin
This report will focus on the Compliance Assistance part of the discussion.
Ron Gagnon outlined the programs of OCTA:
• Performance inspections – DEM has completed two rounds of inspections and reports. Based
on the morning assistance discussion, DEM will work with the green hospitality program and
offer assistance for hotels, restaurants and other hospitality businesses.
• Underground storage tanks – DEM would like to do more assistance in that sector. Our main
effort right now is under the energy act. EPA is required to present a report to Congress on an
alternative program, and we are working with EPA on this approach. The DEM program would
propose to require self-certification inspections at a frequency of once every three years.
• Small quantity generator inspections - environmental results program. Using the results
obtained from the Regional Common Measures Project, OCTA will work with the Office of
Compliance and Inspection to determine if an ERP can be applied to the RI hazardous waste
small quantity generator sector. .
• Lean – DEM has been working with a company called Vibco who are a great resource for the
Lean process. Lean is based on a Toyota process to streamline operations. We have been using
the tool to conduct value stream mapping of our processes. This will enable us to determine
steps in the process that do not add value to the final product, i.e., issuance of a permit. We are
looking at using these Lean tools for our permitting programs and assistance programs. The
Lean process may be adapted to develop a better way to provide assistance. We’d like to be a
pilot on using the Lean tools to be a better organization. Through the stimulus program, DEM
has added seven new positions to the office. Their main function will be permitting. We are
going to create a specialized permitting office that will enable DEM to quickly respond to
permits needed under the recovery program. OCTA will be responsible for reviewing and
issuing the permit. OCTA will be coordinating water quality review, wetlands, instead of going
through each program and have to get each review. We would use a team approach to review
to whole project and grant one permit
• NESHAP rule for auto body shops – DEM is committed to adding those requirements. DEM
has talked to Region 5, and are planning to adopt measurement from auto body shops that will
use 6 to10 questions. We will be modifying the ERP checklist to adopt those requirements to
measure those criteria.
• Lead Certification – DEM has seen a few contractors come in and ask for certification. HUD is
now requiring that contractors have that certification. We have at least been able to maintain
that checklist.
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