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Department of Environmental Services Overview

Department of Environmental Services Overview. For The American Council of Engineering Companies of New Hampshire J anuary 15, 2014. DES Mission Statement.

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Department of Environmental Services Overview

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  1. Department of Environmental Services Overview For The American Council of Engineering Companies of New Hampshire January 15, 2014

  2. DES Mission Statement ... to help sustain a high quality of life for all citizens by protecting and restoring the environment and public health in New Hampshire.

  3. Topics of Interest • Budget Update • Infrastructure SB60 Report • MTBE • Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) • Climate Change • Great Bay • Rules • Certification Updates • Legislation

  4. DES Organization Chart • Finance/Accounting • Planning & Technical Assistance • Public Information • Geological Survey • Human Resources • Legal • Dams • Wetlands/Shorelands • Watersheds/Lakes/Rivers • Wastewater/Septic Systems • Drinking Water Supplies • Winnipesaukee River Basin • Hazardous Waste • Solid Waste • Oil/USTs/ASTs • Superfund/State Sites • Brownfields • Emergency Response • Stationary Sources • Mobile Sources • Air Toxics • Env. Health • Energy Programs

  5. SFY 2014/2015 Budget Highlights • State Aid Grant program (SAG) received funding for all projects on the Delayed & Deferred (D&D) List. • SAG is a grant to communities for improvements and construction related to these 3 programs and provides a 20%-30% grant on debt service payments: • Wastewater Treatment Systems • Public Drinking Water Systems • Landfill Closures • No grants had been given out since 2008, creating a D&D list consisting of 127 projects on as of 12/31/12. The Legislature funded all projects on the list and established a moratorium on new grants for the ‘14/’15 biennium. • Funding for all other aspects of the Department remain consistent with prior years.

  6. DES-Wide SFY 2014 Total Budget = $177.3 Million (Sources of Funds)

  7. Water Infrastructure Sustainability Funding Commission • SB60, Chapter 245:1, Laws of 2009, November 2013 Final Report

  8. SB 60 History and Scope • Formed in 2009, extended twice • Senator Martha Fuller Clark was original & final Chair • Met 31 times • Focused on funding needs and states role related to: • Municipal wastewater and stormwater systems • Public drinking water systems (municipal and private) • Municipal and state owned dams

  9. Substantial investment is Needed!(Estimated at $2.9 billion/decade)

  10. New Revenue Source Needed to Create the Water Trust Fund • Many sources considered. • Charge on beverage containers favored because: • Most beverage manufacturers rely on water infrastructure; • Surrounding states have larger bottle redemption fees; keeps competitive advantage; • People are used to paying such a fee elsewhere; and • Raises sufficient revenue.

  11. Findings and Recommendations • Water infrastructure is critical and beneficial to NH’s economy and quality of life. • Substantial investment ($2.9B/decade) is needed to maintain or make necessary improvements to municipal wastewater and stormwater systems, public drinking water systems, and municipal and state-owned dams. • In addition to ratepayers, the state of NH benefits directly and indirectly from reliable water infrastructure and the state should create a Water Trust Fund to ensure adequate annual investmentin water infrastructure.

  12. Findings and Recommendations - (con’t) • A new revenue source must be found to create the Water Trust Fund and the Commission finds that a charge on beverage containers is the best available alternative. • State funding for water infrastructure must be contingent on implementation of measures by water infrastructure system owners that will ensure proper and adequate future operation and asset management. • Ongoing education and outreach will be necessary to ensure NH’s leaders and citizenry understand the critical importance of water infrastructure investment.

  13. Education and Outreach • Key to citizenry and leaders valuing water infrastructure. • Commitment from Commission members and organizations to do their part. • Needed to refine Water Trust Fund Concept.

  14. MTBE • MTBE settlement with gasoline manufacturers and marketers yielded $81.6M for DES to address MTBE contamination in NH. • G&C approval was received to spend $22.3M during the current biennium to address MTBE contamination. • DES is forming the MTBE Remediation Bureau to investigate and remediate MTBE contamination. • $2.6M has been allocated to Bureau operating costs. • $19.7M has been allocated to contractual work and reimbursements for investigation, remediation, and mitigation of MTBE contamination at the most complex sites and sites that impact (or potentially impact) private and/or public water supplies.

  15. The Section 176A Petition Petition EPA to establish a new very large “Eastern States” Ozone Transport Region. Levels the playing field for NSR, RACT and more. Would require emission reductions in newly added states that current Ozone Transport Region states have required for years.

  16. Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) • RGGI states locked in 2014 base cap at 91 million tons CO2 • Cap declines 2.5%/yr from 2015 to 2020 as initially planned • Projected 2020 RGGI regional CO2 emissions ½ 2005 levels. • Cap adjusted downward to account for private bank of allowances accumulated in 2009 - 2011 and 2012 - 2014 control periods • 1st adjustment for 2014 reduces regional cap to 82.8 million tons • 2nd adjustment TBD on 3/17/14 for 2015-2020. • RGGI states commented to EPA regarding upcoming power plant CO2 regulation under CAA section 111(d) • Recognizing RGGI would avoid duplicative regulation and provide a simple, cost-effective option with greater flexibility than a source specific performance standard.

  17. Infrastructure Impacts - Inconvenient and Expensive to Repair! Somersworth DW Treatment Plant, May ‘06 Axe Handle Brook, Rochester, NH, May ‘06 Junction Rte. 43/Rte. 107, Deerfield, NH, April ‘07 Loon Mountain, Lincoln, NH ‘11

  18. Great Bay • Estuary conditions are deteriorating. • Symptoms of population growth, increased nutrient loads, and non-point source pollution. • More monitoring and scientific study is necessary and will track the estuary improvements made possible by the communities’ investments. • Phased approach needed for expensive upgrades. • Nonpoint source reduction plans are moving ahead in Exeter and Oyster Rivers.

  19. Non-Point Source Nitrogen Loads to Great Bay DES Great Bay Nitrogen Non-Point Source Study From PREP (2013) Nitrogen Loading Model Total Load 1,225 Tons/yr Non-Point Source Load 900 ±100 Tons/yr Non-Point Source Load Delivered by Stormwater = 26%

  20. Rules Update • Wetlands Program Rulemaking and Process Improvement Effort • Solid Waste • Wastewater Treatment Your Input is Important!

  21. Salt Applicators Certification Update(RSA 489-C:3, 2013) • Program Goal: To improve efficiency in salt use such that the least amount of salt is used to ensure safe conditions for pedestrians and vehicles. • I-93 Expansion was the “driver,” but benefits are universal. • Effective 11/1/13, commercial salt applicators can apply to DES for voluntary certificate. • Applicators must complete UNH Technology Transfer Center’s (T2) Green SnowPro Training Program. • Benefit to applicators and owners = Limited liability for damages arising from hazards caused by snow or ice (if BMPs are followed and basic records maintained).

  22. Culvert Maintainer Certification Update (RSA 482-A:3, XVII-XVIX& ENV-WT 905 (12/21/13) • Certified local public works officials (with required training) will be able to repair/replace culverts of up to 48 inches in diameter • UNH Technology Transfer Center (again) is today the only trainer (others may become “approved providers”). • Inter-municipal agreements are contemplated. • Municipal PEs do not require certification. • Benefits/Conditions: • Qualifying repair/replacement projects for stream crossings may proceed w/out upfront DES permits. • Quarterly reports on projects to DES are required.

  23. Legislation • Integrated Permitting: (SB 267) - Extends the implementation date for integrated permitting from 7/1/15 to 7/1/17. DES Requested. • Fill & Dredge Permitting Applications: (HB 1258) - Changes the application submittal process by allowing the applicant to provide the town clerks with copies of the application and they can now submit directly to DES. DES Requested. • ODD GREE Fund: (HB 1229-FN) • Would extend the lapse dates for the Oil Discharge and Disposal Cleanup (ODD) Fund and Gasoline Remediation and Elimination of Ethers (GREE) Fund from 7/1/15 to 7/1/25. • Underground Storage Tank (UST) owners rely on the ODD Fund to pay cleanup costs and to provide “financial responsibility” for cleanup as required by federal and state regulations. • GREE funds are used for investigation, cleanup, monitoring, and mitigation of gasoline constituent impacted groundwater and water supply wells.

  24. Contact Information Department of Environmental Services 29 Hazen Drive (603) 271-3503 www.des.nh.gov Tom Burack, Commissioner 271-2958 thomas.burack@des.nh.gov

  25. Questions?

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