Prepared By Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes, PLLC
The Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality convened at 9:00 a.m. on October 24, at the offices of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality in Jackson. Chat Phillips chaired the meeting attended by all members. Minutes from the last meeting held in August 2013 were approved. Following a prepared agenda, items considered were as follows:
BROWNFIELD AGREEMENT
The Commission voted to approve the Brownfield Agreement between the Commission and The District Land Development Company, LLC regarding the remediation of property located just east of I-55 and north of Eastover Drive in Jackson, Mississippi. Buildings slated for demolition on the site, known as the former “Mississippi School for the Blind Brownfield Agreement Site,” contained asbestos and old transformers needing proper disposal.
ADOPTION OF ADMENDMENTS TO MISSISSIPPI ADMINSTRATIVE CODE
The Commission voted to adopt the following amendments to the Mississippi Administrative Code (MAC):
(1) Air Emission Regulation for the Prevention, Abatement, and Control of Air Contaminants (11 MAC, Part 2, Chapter 1) – the amendments involve the adoption, by reference, of amendments to federal New Source Performance Standards, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, and the Consolidated Air Rule as promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
(2) Ambient Air Quality Standards (11 MAC, Part 2, Chapter 4) – the amendments concern the adoption, by reference, of amendments to the Federal National Ambient Air Quality Standards as promulgated in 40 CFR Part 50.
(3) Regulations for Lead-Based Paint Activities (11 MAC, Part 2, Chapter 9) – the amendments concern changes to make the regulations consistent with amendments to federal EPA regulations and the Mississippi Lead-Based Paint Activity Accreditation and Certification Act, as amended by Mississippi Senate Bill 2688 (Regular Session 2013).
PRESENTATION ON GEOLOGIC IMPORTANCE – PIKE COUNTY
Over the next few Commission meetings, the MDEQ staff will present work, research and geology of a few key counties within the state in order to highlight the importance of geological understanding to Mississippi and the mission of MDEQ. At this meeting, the staff provided a presentation on the geological significance and importance of Pike County.
CERTIFICATIONS APPROVED
Asbestos: 220 certifications
Lead Paint: 102 certifications
Underground
Storage Tanks: 8 certifications
Wastewater
Operator: 57 certifications
EMERGENCY CLEAN-UP EXPENSES APPROVED
The following five (5) emergency clean-up expenditures occurred since the last report:
Complete Environmental & Remediation in the counties of:
Leake and Clarke.
United States Environmental Services in the counties of:
Rankin, Copiah and Simpson
Thirty-eight (38) administrative orders issued by the Executive Director and approved by the Commission included the following matters:
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS APPROVED
| Program Area | Number of Orders | Penalty Range |
| Large Construction Storm Water |
2 |
$1,400 to $25,000 |
| Hazardous Waste |
3 |
$1,800 to $39,655 |
| Title V |
4 |
$0 to $15,000 |
| Hot Mix Asphalt |
1 |
$45,000 |
| Pretreatment |
1 |
$12,500 |
| Wet Deck |
1 |
$3,500 |
| Synthetic Mining |
1 |
$19,000 |
| UST |
2 |
$4,440 to $5,000 |
| Water Well Contractor’s License |
9 |
$100 |
| Other |
9 |
$0 to $5,000 |
The remaining five (5) orders were not enforcement-oriented, but rather dealt with the approval of amendments, applications for the Brownfields Program, participation in the Uncontrolled Site Voluntary Evaluation Program, and other routine administrative matters.
The next Commission meeting is scheduled for November 21, 2013.
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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