Environmental Results Program
The Environmental Results Program (ERP) [PDF] is an innovative approach to improving environmental performance based on a system of interlocking tools of compliance assistance, self-certification, and statistically-based measurement to gauge the performance of an entire business sector. The program utilizes a multimedia approach to encourage business to achieve environmental compliance and pollution prevention. IDEM is using the ERP approach to assist the Auto Salvage sector in understanding and complying with applicable regulations and going beyond compliance to prevent pollution and enhance protection of public health and the environment.
Indiana’s Auto Salvage sector ERP Project will address U.S. EPA’s strategic goals by:
- Protecting water sources through cleanup, remediation, and compliance;
- Increasing the number of sites cleaning up historical soil contamination;
- Improving relations with community members by reducing groundwater and soil pollution and increasing dialogue between community residents and facility owners/operators, and;
- Promoting overall environmental innovation and stewardship.
IDEM will implement the ERP project with the following activities:
- Phase 1: Initial compliance inspections and information-sharing.
- Phase 2: Compliance assistance and information development.
- Phase 3: Second round of compliance inspections.
- Phase 4: Analysis of data and development of a report documenting results.
Phase 1: Initial compliance inspection and information-sharing:
IDEM has identified and met with external stakeholders, including auto salvage recyclers and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), to explain, coordinate, collaborate, and plan for project implementation. In addition to those meetings, IDEM has conducted baseline inspections of randomly selected facilities using a database provided by the BMV. This phase was completed in the fall of 2007.
Initial findings indicate that the top environmental compliance issues are:
- Fluids management - collection and recycling
- Releases of fluids into the environment - cleanup and disposal
- Storm water management - developing storm water pollution prevention plans and sampling
- Freon or air conditioning refrigerant management – collecting, recycling and reporting
- Tire management - collection and recycling or disposal
- Mercury switch removal - collecting and recycling
- Solid waste management - collecting and disposing of solid waste
- Air management - open burning of waste
Environmental Business Indicators include:
- Lack of secondary containment for fluids removal areas
- Lack of secondary containment for vehicle crushing areas
- Lack of covered containment for tires and other vehicle parts
- Lack of personnel training
- Lack of policy or procedures to ensure environmental protection
- Lack of good housekeeping measures
Phase 2: Compliance assistance and information development:
The next phase of the project includes outreach efforts, self-certifications, and compliance assistance, including a workbook, an instructional DVD, a web site, workshops, confidential phone assistance, and confidential on-site compliance assistance. IDEM will encourage the use of Best Management Practices (BMPs), and other effective business methods to reduce pollution and achieve improved compliance through incentives offered by the Indiana Clean Yard Program. This phase will last approximately two years, expecting completion in the summer of 2009.
Phase 3: Second round of enforcement inspections:
IDEM will complete this phase in the third quarter of 2009. After facilities have an opportunity to participate in a self-certification program, IDEM will again establish a random inspection process from the same BMV database described above. IDEM will respond appropriately to these inspections and track the data.
Phase 4: Analysis of data and development of a report documenting results:
IDEM will analyze and compare baseline, self certification and post-certification data to understand changes in facility performance and overall outcomes of interest. Compliance results from baseline inspections will be compared to compliance results from the second round of random inspections. Improved performance will be determined through compliance rates, pollution prevented, and the incorporation of BMPs in salvage-yard practices. In addition, the information developed and gathered during this project will have potential transferability to other sectors. We expect the final phase to be completed spring of 2010.
Auto Salvage: Table of Contents
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