Summary of Meeting Held February 27, 2020
The Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality (“MCEQ”) convened at 9:00 a.m., on February 27, 2020, at the offices of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality in Jackson. The Commission approved minutes from the previous meeting held on November 15, 2019. Chairman, John Dane, III welcomed Chris Wells as Interim Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (“MDEQ”). Following a prepared agenda, items considered were as follows:
FY 2021 Title V Fee Recommendation – Approval to Proceed to Public Notice of Hearing
MDEQ Staff discussed the draft report containing the Title V Advisory Council’s Title V fee recommendation for the upcoming fee year has been forwarded to the Commission. Staff requested approval to hold a public hearing to receive comments regarding the proposed fee and to proceed with public notice of the hearing. After the public participation process is completed, staff will bring the fee recommendation back before the Commission for final action. This agenda item was presented for informational purposes only.
Commission Approval of Brownfield Agreement Termination
MDEQ Staff reported that the Commission approved Brownfield Agreement 6957-19 in June 2019 between the Commission and the Military Lee, LLC for remediation of the former Lee Middle School property located in Columbus, Mississippi. The original brownfield agreement required lead paint and asbestos abatement. The completed remedial activities have met the requirements of the MDEQ-approved Corrective Action Plan dated April 2019. Military Lee, LLC has requested the Commission to make a determination as to the completion of the Brownfield Agreement. The staff recommends the completion of the Brownfield Agreement. The staff of the MCEQ has evaluated the Brownfield Agreement completion and believes that the Site is in compliance with applicable State and Federal laws and standards and will be protective of the public health and the environment. The Commission approved this termination.
Environmental Covenant for YRC Freight Facility
Pursuant to the Commission’s delegation regulations (11 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 1, R.1.1.Y.), the Executive Director of MDEQ approved the Environmental Covenants between the Commission and YRC Inc. regarding the remediation of property located at 102 Carrier Boulevard in Richland, Mississippi. YRC is an active trucking terminal and vehicle maintenance facility. The groundwater monitoring and recovery wells have been plugged and decommissioned. The staff of the MDEQ has evaluated the proposed Environmental Covenant and believes that, with the conditions and restrictions contained within; the site will be in compliance with applicable State laws and standards and will be protective of the public health and the environment. This agenda item is for reporting purposes only.
Commission Briefing on Underground Storage Tank Regulatory Fee
Pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. Sec. 49-17-421 revised July 1, 2018, the Commission is charged by law to establish the tank regulatory fee in an amount sufficient to cover the cost of the UST Program. The owners of each underground storage tank available for use in Mississippi is required to pay MDEQ the annual tank regulatory fee. The statutory revision also created Miss. Code Ann. Sec. 49-17-422 that established an Advisory Council to conduct an independent study of the cost of the UST Program and provide the Commission a written report and recommendations on the annual tank fee. This report was provided to the Commission on December 31, 2019. Staff provided information on the report, recommendations, and the public notice for comment. This agenda item was presented for informational purposes only.
Pollution Emergency Response Regulations
Ted Lampton, MDEQ Legal Counsel reported on the Pollution Emergency Response Regulations. Pursuant to Mississippi Code Sections 17-17-29, 49-17-43, 49-17-27, and 49-17-68, persons who cause pollution or own facilities which cause pollution are liable for the cost of remedial or clean-up action resulting from such pollution. The purpose of this new regulation is to include these various sources of statutory authority for pollution emergency response and to include definitions to provide clarity and consistency in the implementation of these statutes related to emergency response requirements. If adopted by the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality, this regulation will be codified at Title 11, Part 9, Chapter 1 of the Mississippi Administrative Code. A public hearing on the new regulation was held on December 12, 2019. No written or verbal comments were received from the public related to the proposed regulation. A copy of the proposed regulations is included in the Commission’s packet for review prior to the Commission’s meeting on February 27th. Staff recommended and the Commission approved adoption of this new regulation.
Modification of Hinds County Solid Waste Management Plan
Ted Lampton, MDEQ Legal Counsel reported on the Modification of Hinds County Solid Waste Management Plan. An evidentiary hearing was held on September 19, 2019, regarding Commission Order No. 6772-17, which approved the modification of the Hinds County Solid Waste Management Plan to allow for the expansion of the Faircloth Class I Rubbish Site. The hearing was held before Hearing Officer Doug Levanway. Hearing Officer Levanway presented his findings of fact and recommended decision at the Commission’s November 15, 2019, meeting. In his findings and recommended decision, the Hearing Officer recommended that the Commission affirm the Order which approves the modification of the Hinds County Solid Waste Management Plan allowing for the expansion of the Faircloth Class I Rubbish Site by an additional 26.55 acres. The Commission considered the Hearing Officer’s recommended decision after reviewing the previously provided record which includes the Petition for Hearing, the transcript of the Motion Hearing, the transcript of the Evidentiary Hearing, exhibits to the transcripts (including pre-filed testimony submitted by the parties-William G. (Bill) Moore-Petitioner, Hinds County Board of Supervisors-Intervenor, Faircloth Rubbish Landfill, Inc.-Intervenor and MDEQ), Motions to Intervene, Motions in Limine, Responses to Motions, witness lists, and the Hearing Officer’s Findings of Fact and Recommended Decision. The Commission then voted to adopt the Hearing Officer’s Recommended Decision to affirm the issuance of Commission Order No. 6772-17, which approved the modification of the Hinds County Solid Waste Management Plan to allow for the expansion of the Faircloth Class I Rubbish Site. Staff will recommend that the Commission adopt an Order reflecting its previous decision in this matter which is included in the Commission’s packet for review prior to the Commission meeting on February 27th. Staff recommended and Commission approved that Interim Executive Director Chris Wells be authorized to sign the Order on behalf of the Commission.
Certifications Approved since the last report
| Type | Number |
| Asbestos Certifications | 292 certifications |
| Lead Paint Certifications | 147 certifications |
| Underground Storage Tanks (UST) Certifications | 22 certifications to those who install, alter, or remove underground storage tanks |
| Wastewater Operator Certifications | 70 |
| Emergency Clean-Up Expenses | 8 |
Administrative Orders
27 Administrative Orders and 2 Amended Agreed Orders were issued since the last report, and they will added to the minutes.
This Newsletter is a publication of the Environmental Department of the law firm of Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes located in Jackson, Mississippi. This Newsletter is not designed or intended to provide legal or professional advice, as any such advice requires the consideration of the facts of the specific situation.
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