Solid Waste Licensing

1. Solid Waste Licensing Program Update SWANA Rendezvous January 16, 2014

2. History • Voluntary Program began in 1985 for sanitary landfill operators • Became mandatory in 1991 • Broadened in 1995 to include other types of facility operators

3. Licensing Data • 724 Licensees • 1,123 Classifications Held • 601 Class 1 Operators • 361 Class 2 Operators • 161 Class 3 Operators

4. Solid Waste Licensing Committee • Solid Waste Licensing Committee established 1985 • Advisory Committee to Commission and Department in administration of program

5. 10 Member Committee • Randy Harper, AETA, Chair • William Wright, Albemarle, Vice-Chair • Elizabeth Hoover, ADEQ, Exec. Sec. • Jim Abbey, NE Arkansas RSWMD • Bill Burrough, City of Hot Spring

6. 10 Member Committee • Phillip Davis, Davis Rubber Company • Judge Mike Jacobs, Johnson County • Jeff Neeley, City of Morrilton • Gussie Robinson, American Composting • Neil Washburn, Riceland Foods

7. Solid Waste Licensing Program • Periodic review needed • Modification and improvements as necessary to promote further professional integrity

8. Solid Waste Training • Goal: All approved training must be current, relevant and supportive of regulations and permitted practices

9. Examinations • Conducted in-house review of solid waste regulations and established minimum criteria for Levels B and C exams

10. Examinations • Developed comprehensive exam database designed to evaluate knowledge and target each level of license based upon established minimum criteria for each level • Use of exam database to begin 7/2014

11. Assessments • Using select questions from new database, developed assessment exams for current Level B and C operators • Goal: Use exam results to identify potential weaknesses in current training and as a tool for future improvements

12. Assessments • Assessments currently being administered as a part of licensing year 7/2013 – 6/2014 approved continuing education • Assessments approved for 2 hrs. CEUs

13. Assessments and Future Training Approvals • Tasked with development of criteria for future training approvals • Regulated industry will have opportunity to provide comments and suggestions

14. Future Training Approvals • The Department will also seek input from the Solid Waste Licensing Committee • Goal: Yearly training approval criteria will be available on the ADEQ website

15. Future Training Approvals • All approved events will meet established criteria • Goal: Course approval criteria to target any identified weakness obtained from assessment data

16. Assessments • 2 assessments given: an operator exam and a manager exam • Managers and supervisors take the manager exam • All other job titles will take the operator exam

17. Assessments • Not used to disqualify • Used only as tool for updating training materials and curriculum • No identifying information to be placed on exams—not tracking data specific to individuals or facilities

18. Assessments • Statewide Assessment locations are listed on ADEQ website • Approximately 1/3 completed during first half of licensing year

19. Manager/Supervisor Assessment Results

20. Operator Assessment Results Note: No data at this time for C & D Facilities or Non-Solid Waste Operators

21. Oral Examinations • Still considering phase out of oral exams for Level C “Master” operators • Might require change in regulation prior to implementation

22. Sanctions Against A License • Solid Waste Licensing Committee established formal sanction procedures—available on ADEQ website (see July 2013 Minutes) • Might only be needed in instances of significant repeat violations or ethics violations

23. Contact Information: Elizabeth Hoover Environmental Program Coordinator ADEQ Solid Waste Mgmt. Division Phone: (501) 682-0585 ehoover@adeq.state.ar.us