|
Compliance Assistance & Education Opportunities |
|
| For flood management news and information, subscribe to The Torrent. |
|
|
Subscribe to Connecticut Wildlife
 Your best source for information on wildlife, fishing, hunting and the outdoors. Place your order today!
|
|
|
|
Message from the Commissioner
Dear Friends,
I always say that there is a third "E" in DEEP - and that stands for the economy.
This agency is committed to working closely with Governor Malloy and all other state agencies to do all we can to help rebuild Connecticut's economy and create jobs for the people of our state. We have been very focused on improving the regulatory environment by streamlining and updating our permitting processes - and that effort will continue. In fact, further steps to accomplish this goal are on Governor's agenda for the special session of the General Assembly scheduled for October 26. If you have thoughts on issues we should be addressing, I'd be glad to hear them.
The other big news at DEEP is that we now have in place the management team we need to move our new agency forward. Joining us recently were two new deputy commissioners who will play key leadership roles here.
 | |
Mackey McCleary
|
They are Macky McCleary, who is now serving as deputy on the regulatory side, and Jonathan Schrag, who is our deputy for energy. I hope you will reach out and
 | |
Jonathan Schrag
|
connect with them if you have not yet had the opportunity to meet them. Susan Frechette also remains as the Deputy Commissioner with responsibility for our parks, forests, wildlife and natural resources.
Dan
| |
|
 Recycling Mattresses in Connecticut
| |
Mattress and box spring disposal is difficult and increasingly expensive for the lodging industry and other businesses. There is no easy way to dispose of mattresses because they are not only difficult to landfill, also pose challenges for some incinerators because they can't easily be compressed and crushed. In Connecticut, a number of new efforts are changing this. Park City Green, a newly-permitted mattress recycling facility in Bridgeport, employs ex-offenders and veterans to dismantle mattresses by hand and recovers about 85% of the materials for reuse or recycling. Also, the Connecticut Product Stewardship Council is looking towards the 2012 legislative session to bring forward a product stewardship bill for mattresses and box springs.
Working with the Connecticut Council Against Bed Bugs (CCABB), DEEP helped to develop guidelines for the reuse and recycling industries that work with mattresses, bed springs or upholstered furniture. Managers of transfer stations, landfills, mattress recycling facilities, and incinerators are encouraged to review Best Practices for Bed Bug Management of Mattresses, Bedding, and Upholstered Furniture (2011). CCABB provided a free workshop for the reuse, recycling and solid waste businesses that handle mattresses or upholstered furniture on October 17 in New Haven. For more information, visit DEEP's Mattress Recycling webpage or e-mail Sherill Baldwin or call 860-424-3440.
|
|
Boiler MACT Update
|
Are you an industrial or commercial business that operates a boiler to provide heat, hot water or process steam to your facility? Then you may be subject to a new U.S. EPA hazardous air pollutant regulation finalized in March of 2011. The Area Source Boiler MACT Rule (40 CFR 63, Subpart 6J) establishes notification, operating and emission limit requirements for new and existing industrial, commercial and institutional boilers and process heaters. The requirements depend upon  the type of fuel used and the size and date of construction of the boiler. Initial notifications were due to EPA Region 1 by September 17, 2011 and initial tune-ups are required on or before March 21, 2012. For more information, go to the boiler MACT regulations on EPA's website.
|
|
Reciprocating Engine Regulations
|
If you own and operate a stationary reciprocating internal combustion engine (RICE), even if it is an emergency engine, you may be subject to federal requirements (40 CFR 63 Subpart ZZZZ). The rule regulates emissions from these engines at major and area sources of hazardous air pollutants. The rule applies to RICE of all sizes; however, engines located at institutional or commercial area sources are exempt. Emission standards and reporting requirements differ based on the source type (major or area source), engine type (compression or spark ignition), engine horsepower, and construction date. Affected sources w ere required to submit applicability notifications to U.S. EPA Region 1 by August 31, 2010 for existing compression ignition RICE, and February 16, 2011 for existing spark ignition RICE. For new RICE, the notice is due 120 days after the effective date or the date of engine construction/reconstruction. Compliance dates vary for existing engines; however, new engines must be compliant upon startup. For more information, go to the RICE regulations on EPA's website.
|
|
Expedited Permitting for Storm Irene
|
Much of the clean-up and repair activity needed along Connecticut's coastline in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene occurred seaward of the high tide line, which normally would have required prior authorization from DEEP's Office of Long Island Sound Programs (OLISP). To help coastal property owners quickly deal with this situation, OLISP alleviated the need to acquire permits in advance of doing work by issuing several blanket authorizations. These authorizations immediately covered specific temporary or emergency activities. To be eligible, temporary activities had to be necessary to prevent hazards to life, health, or welfare or significant loss of property, and had to be followed-up with more detailed applications within 30 days. Now that the immediate post-storm need has passed, some of the blanket authorizations have expired. For additional information on OLISP temporary and emergency authorizations, please see the Post-Irene Coastal Permitting Fact Sheet on the DEP website, or contact the OLISP Permit Section at 860-424-3034.
|
|
General Permit for Subsurface Sewage Disposal
|
DEEP is moving to issue a General Permit for Discharges from Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems Serving Existing Facilities. The General Permit would cover existing sites with the following activities: Cumulative discharges greater than 5,000 gallons per day through one or more subsurface sewage disposal system to any one site; Discharge of domestic sewage through a community sewage system; Discharges of domestic sewage to holding tanks located on sites under an approved Wastewater Management Plan or to address a failing or malfunctioning system. DEEP has issued a tentative determination on the proposed and is seeking public comment.
|
|
An Easier Way to File Water Discharge Monitoring Reports
|
DEEP is actively working with a number of permittees to enable them to file discharge monitoring reports (DMRs) electronically through the use of NetDMR. NetDMR is a free web-based tool for reporting wastewater monitoring data to U.S. EPA via a secure internet connection. NetDMR will improve data quality, save paper, and provide cost savings to permittees and regulators. DEEP will require permittees to electronically file DMRs in the near future as part of the permit reissuance/issuance process. For more information, please contact dep.netdmr@ct.gov. |
|
Deep Water Port Economic Development Efforts
|
DEEP along with the Department of Economic and Community Development, the Department of Transportation, and the Office of Policy and Management are working together on a long-term plan for economic development of Connecticut's deep water ports, including a focused effort at growing maritime industry jobs. Based on the most recent analysis conducted by the Connecticut Maritime Coalition, maritime industries and related economic activity account for more than $5 billion in business output within the state - including more than 30,000 jobs - and approximately $2.7 billion in State GDP.
Earlier this year, legislation that passed required the state to develop a strategy for economic development of the ports in New Haven, New London and Bridgeport. In response, the state has issued a request-for-proposals (RFP) for these services, with a specific focus on generating strategic initiatives and detailed action plans it can use in developing and marketing the ports. "Putting a strategy in place to make greater use of Connecticut's ports and maritime facilities makes good sense for our economy and the environment," said DEEP Commissioner Dan Esty. "This approach will benefit the entire state by reducing truck traffic on the highways, efficiently moving more cargo with less fuel use and less emissions, and creating more jobs in and around updated port facilities."
|
|
Has the Stream Channel Encroachment Line Program Outlived its Usefulness?
|
The Stream Channel Encroachment Line (SCEL) program regulates activities within Connecticut's streams for the purpose of protecting environmental floodplain resources and to maintain a river's flood carrying and water storage capacity. Following the 1955 floods, the placement of encroachments and obstructions riverward of SCEL lines became regulated by Connecticut General Statutes (CGS) 22a-342 -350 in order to lessen hazards to life and property due to flooding. The program applies to only approximately 5% of stream miles in Connecticut.
Over time the SCEL program has lost its relevance and has been effectively supplanted by other local, state and federal programs (such as FEMA). Currently 168 towns participate in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) program. Private development projects that occur within SCEL are regulated by multiple layers of government and other land use regulatory programs -- municipalities through NFIP requirements and local planning and zoning; at the state level through other land use regulatory programs such as the Water Diversion program; and on the federal level through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. State activities are already regulated by the state through the Flood Management program (CGS Section 25-68) and also on the federal level by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Repeal of SCEL would save applicants significant money in application fees and modeling requirements and save the state time and money in administrating a program that no longer adds value. Let us know your thoughts on this issue by contacting Denise Ruzicka.
|
|
Green Grocer Has a New Meaning
|
 | |
Landscaped islands filter stormwater in the
Torrington Stop & Shop parking lot.
|
Connecticut supermarkets are becoming "green grocers" as their operations take into account ways to benefit the environment. Many stores (including Whole Foods, Price Chopper, Big Y, Stop & Shop, and Shop Rite) are going beyond selling CT Grown products and encouraging shoppers to bring reusable bags. Some are reducing waste and finding opportunities to compost; others are reducing pollution from storm water runoff by making changes to landscaping and parking lots.
Supermarkets are the most electricity-intensive type of commercial building, according to the U.S. EPA, making energy efficiency a high priority. Stores are cutting energy costs by installing LED lighting for refrigerated and frozen foods and high efficient T-5 fluorescents for other areas; using dimmers and occupancy sensors, and integrating day-lighting with artificial lighting, and making use of systems to control building mechanicals. Renewable energy is also being used -- the Price Chopper in Middletown, the Stop & Shop in Torrington and the Whole Foods in Glastonbury are all powered by UTC fuel cells, which kept partial power on during Storm Irene and minimized food loss. A few Connecticut supermarkets and distribution centers are utilizing solar panels to generate a portion of electric energy. Lastly, natural refrigerants are now being used to replace commonly used ones that contain hydro-chlorofluorocarbons that deplete our ozone layer. West Hartford is home to the first supermarket in the state operating with this technology. For more details, go to the P2 View article.
|
|
Brownfield and Site Cleanup News
|
DEEP continues to work on the c omprehensive evaluation and transformation of the state cleanup laws. Hundreds of stakeholders have been involved through public meetings, commenting on draft reports, providing comments on the existing program, and suggesting improvements that would benefit Connecticut. To stay involved, please monitor the webpage established for this top-to-bottom review. If you subscribe to eAlerts through this webpage, you will be provided notices of opportunities to participate.
Public comments are currently being sought on six Draft Evaluation Workgroup Reports. Comments, questions, or information can be submitted through the dedicated e-mail.
The Department of Economic and Community Development announced multiple funding and liability relief opportunities in a September 19, 2011 letter. This announcement includes multiple opportunities to apply for grants and loans as well as to apply to the new Brownfield Remediation and Revitalization Program (section 17 of the 2011 Brownfields Bill). These funding and liability relief opportunities will greatly enhance business opportunities in Connecticut and help municipalities address these often underutilized properties that are not contributing to the tax base, pose a risk to the environment, and are not contributing to the vitality of the community.
|
|
JN Phillips Auto Glass Cracks a Tough Recycling Problem
|
Many car parts have been recycled for decades (e.g., metal, tires, batteries, oil), but windshields have been a challenge because of how they are made. The windshield is really a glass sandwich with a filling of polyvinyl butyrate (PVB), a resin which makes it very strong, but still keeps the glass clear. It had been very difficult to separate the layers in order to recycle them - but thanks to new technology, a company that does business in Connecticut is leading the way.
JN Phillips is a Woburn, MA based glass installer with 40 retail locations in New England, including 4 in Connecticut and mobile units that service most of the state. Company President Bob Rosenfield began the GreenShield SM program because he felt it was the right thing to do for the environment. Approximately 15 million windshields are replaced in the U.S. each year, resulting in about 600 pounds of glass and plastic ending up in landfills. JN Phillips is now committed to recycling 100% of the windshields they replace. At a processing facility, the windshields are pulverized and the glass and plastic are separated. The resultant cullet (crushed glass) and plastic are recycled into products such as fiberglass insulation, carpet glue and even as an additive to concrete blocks. JN Phillips has received very positive feedback about the program, including support from an insurance company that informs its customers about this greener option. For additional information, contact Josh Rosenfield.
|
|
|
Your Business and the Environment
