KDHE Home - Division of Environment
Kansas Environmental News
January 2000
Each day as I arrive at work, there are new challenges, which is one of the reasons, I can honestly say, I like my job. I'm continually learning something different and I'm appreciative to all who play a role in that process.
Something that will be an educational process for all of us is the 2000 Legislative Session. It will pose many challenges to our agency, requiring extensive research, testimony and fiscal notes. But I am confident that staff called upon to perform these duties will respond above and beyond expectations.
The Governor has reviewed our Legislative Initiative package and has approved some of the initiatives. While many outstanding plans were submitted by KDHE programs, the revenue estimate shortfalls, will prevent some from moving forward.The following initiatives have been approved:
I look forward to this year's legislative session and the teamwork exemplified by KDHE staff to bring forth a consistent message, which should ultimately result in improvements to statewide health and environmental programs and policies.
Clyde D. Graeber, Secretary
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
The six annual solid waste management, Recycling and Composting WORKS! Conference and Training Workshops will be held at Bethany College Campus, Lindsborg, Kansas, March 21-23.
This year's theme is Partnering to Make a Difference in the 2000's - working together to bring about even more success to Kansas communities, counties, businesses and programs.
The conference will feature more recycling and composting demonstrations (biggest in the Midwest, if not the country); more interactive panel sessions; three major keynote speakers (William Franklin, Franklin Associates, a service of McClaren Hart; Dr. Ronald Hammerschmidt, Director of KDHE's Division of Environment; and Will Ferretti, Executive Director of the National Recycling Coalition); a full day of pre-conference recycling, composting and source reduction training for beginners and experienced personnel; special grant workshops and good food and entertainment.
The conference will include the Kansas Environment 2000; future of solid waste in Kansas; commercial and industrial source reduction programs; green building opportunities; educating communities; wood waste utilization including disaster management, construction demolition wastes and pallets; a livestock manure handling and composting panel and recycling issues roundtable including discussion of markets, public and private partnerships.
The full day of training, Tuesday, March 21, will include the new composting regulations and industry standards; backyard composting education; disaster planning and wood waste management; new technologies and alternative materials; recycling and composting hands-on beginner training including paper sorting and compost pile development; quality control, standardization and marketing; revitalizing and keeping programs going; media relations, regional cooperation and public education; helping your local business's bottom line and the community; pay as you throw and full cost accounting; buy recycled programs and health and safety issues.
Mark your calendar today for this year's conference on March 21-23 at the Bethany College Campus in Lindsborg (Little Sweden, USA), Kansas. For exhibitor, demonstrator, sponsor or registration information, contact Cathy Colglazier, Bureau of Waste Management, KDHE, 1-800-282-9790.
Kent Foerster, Bureau of Waste Management
Household Hazardous Waste Conference
February 1-3, Airport Hilton, Wichita
Contact Cathy Colglazier, KDHE, 800-282-9790
Recycling and Composting WORKS!
March 21-23, Bethany College, Lindsborg
Contact Cathy Colglazier, KDHE, 800-282-9790
Dry Cleaning Workshops
April 4-5. Sedgwick Co. Health Dept., Wichita
Contact Nancy Larson, 316-268-8475
KC Metro Green Purchasing Vendor Fair & Workshop
May 10, Downtown Airport Rotunda, Kansas City, MO
Contact Peter Schemitz, 816-513-1418
Industrial Cleaning Show
May 18, Bicentennial Center, Salina
Contact Ryan Green or Sherry Davis, KSU
Pollution Prevention Institute, 800-578-8898
KDHE Pollution Prevention Awards
Deadline June 30, Applications available now
Contact Janet Neff, KDHE, 800-357-6087
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KDHE REGULATIONS IN PROCESS Prepared 12/21/99 |
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REGULATION |
DIV. DRAFT |
EPA REVIEW |
DOA REVIEW |
AG REVIEW |
PUBLIC HEARING |
EFFECTIVE |
|
Solid Waste |
||||||
|
Composting (N) |
Completed |
N/A |
8/98 |
8/98 |
10/98 |
10/99 |
|
Monofill Definition(N) |
Completed |
N/A |
8/98 |
8/98 |
10/98 |
10/99 |
|
Financial Assurance |
9/99 |
11/99 |
9/99 |
9/99 |
12/99 |
*2/99 |
|
Hsehld Haz.Waste(N) |
8/99 |
N/A |
*1/00 |
*2/00 |
*4/00 |
*6/99 |
|
Groundwater(A) |
*1/00 |
*2/00 |
*2/00 |
*3/00 |
*5/00 |
*7/00 |
|
Vertical Expansions |
*1/00 |
*2/00 |
*2/00 |
*3/00 |
*5/00 |
*7/00 |
|
Permit Fees |
*1/00 |
*2/00 |
*2/00 |
*3/00 |
*5/00 |
*7/00 |
|
Medical Waste |
*5/00 |
N/A |
*6/00 |
*7/00 |
*9/00 |
*11/00 |
|
SW Planning |
*3/00 |
N/A |
*4/00 |
*5/00 |
*7/00 |
*9/00 |
|
Hazardous Waste |
||||||
|
Update(A) |
*2/00 |
*3/00 |
*3/00 |
*4/00 |
*6/00 |
*8/00 |
|
Air and Radiation: |
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|
BakeryFac.RACTRule-KCarea(N) |
6/98 |
4/99 |
4/99 |
12/02/99 |
*1/00 |
|
|
Hospital/Medical/Infectious |
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|
Waste Incinerator Emission |
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|
Guidelines (N) |
6/98 |
1/27/00 |
*3/00 |
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Acid Rain ProvisionsUpdate(A,N) |
*1/00 |
*2/00 |
*2/00 |
*4/00 |
*5/00 |
|
|
UpdateEmissionsStnds(A) |
*1/00 |
*2/00 |
*2/00 |
*4/00 |
*5/00 |
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*projected New(N) Amended(A) Revoked(R)* |
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The Kansas Asbestos Control Regulations were recently amended to be more consistent with the federal U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asbestos regulations and the Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) asbestos standards. The amended regulations became effective on October 1, 1999. Under the new regulations, Class II asbestos supervisory level workers are no longer required to complete a written examination administered by KDHE prior to receiving their Class II certificate. In addition, Class I and Class II asbestos workers are no longer required to submit a physicians statement concerning medical examination with the certificate application.
The regulation changes have also increased the amount of friable asbestos that can be removed without notification to KDHE. The amount of asbestos that can be removed as an "Asbestos-related maintenance operation" has been increased from three to 25 or fewer lineal feet of friable asbestos-containing material from the surface of a pipe and from three to 10 or fewer square feet of friable asbestos containing material from any other surface. Projects greater than 25 lineal feet or 10 square feet require notification to KDHE.
Several changes to the work practices concerning asbestos removal projects have been implemented including a reduction in the amount of time required to clear a project once the asbestos has been removed. Once cleaned, the new amended regulations allow clearance monitoring as described in 40 C.F.R. 763.90(i), as in effect on July 1, 1998 or complying with work procedures for proper cleaning and ventilating of work area. Additional work practice changes require that encapsulation projects involving friable asbestos-containing materials are now required to be conducted according to the work practices contained in OSHA, 29 C.F.R. 1926.1101, as in effect on July 1, 1998. Asbestos-removal projects involving glove bags are no longer required to submit a copy of the glove bag instructions with the notification or post them at the work site. Questions regarding the amended regulations may be addressed to the Air and Asbestos Section, Bureau of Air and Radiation, 785-296-1550.
Scott Bangert, Bureau of Air and Radiation
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) partnered with local household hazardous waste (HHW) facilities, county officials, Safety-Kleen Corporation, and Kansas Farm Bureau to carry out a state-wide 60-day dioxin collection program. The program was initiated to deal with concern over dioxin accumulations in the environment, and the hazards associated with improper disposal of dioxin contaminated material. The 60-day program was targeted at old pesticides manufactured prior to the mid-1980's which contained dioxins (predominantly 2,4,5-T, Silvex, and pentachlorophenol). Dioxin contaminated pesticides were accepted at designated HHW facilities and other collection points statewide. The dioxin collection program was limited to farmers, ranchers, and homeowners. Businesses were ineligible for the program.
Dioxins are a group of hazardous chemicals formed as a by-product in the trichlorophenol manufacturing process which was used to make some pesticides prior to the mid 1980's. Dioxins are of concern in the environment because of their ability to accumulate in the body fat of animal tissue. Once in the environment dioxins do not break down easily. Several of the dioxin molecules are known human carcinogens.
Although production of pesticides containing dioxins was halted, considerable stocks of the product existed on farms and ranches across the state. The only facility permitted under RCRA to dispose of dioxins in the United States is the Safety-Kleen incinerator in Coffeyville, Kansas. The incinerator temporarily shut down in 1998, and for about one year there was no option for the safe disposal of dioxin material. When KDHE learned that the incinerator was scheduled to resume operation in late 1998 and 1999 to carry out a major special project for EPA, KDHE initiated this collection drive aimed at eliminating dioxin material still present on Kansas farms and ranches.
The collection program ran from August 16, 1999 through October 16, 1999. A total of 42 collections sites were set up state wide. To publicize the program, KDHE entered into partnership with Kansas Farm Bureau (KFB) association. KFB distributed posters and brochures on the program through all 105 of their county offices, and included information on the collection through individual membership mailings. All county commissions were sent posters and brochures for distribution as were county Farm Service agencies, conservation districts, and local collection sites. In all, over 20,000 brochures and 3,000 posters were distributed state wide.
In addition to poster and brochure distribution, press releases and advertisement slicks were sent to every newspaper, radio, and television station in the state. Radio interviews were conducted by KDHE staff which were aired on the Farm Bureau Ag network, and other local stations. Numerous calls were fielded by KDHE staff from reporters and many articles were run in newspapers statewide.
Approximately 6,555 pounds of dioxin material (weight of container and packing included) was collected through the program. The predominant material received was Silvex, 2,4,5-T, and pentachlorophenol. The material was incinerated at Safety-Kleen's Coffeyville facility. As a major project sponsor, Safety-Kleen covered the total cost of waste packing, transportation, and incineration.
KDHE would like to extend a special thanks to Safety-Kleen Corporation and Kansas Farm Bureau for their part in making the program a success and for minimizing the cost to Kansas taxpayers.
Jim Rudeen, Bureau of Waste Management
Dr. Ron Hammerschmidt, Director of Environment, is pleased to announce that Gary Blackburn has accepted the position as Director of the Bureau of Environmental Remediation, effective December 12, 1999. Mr. Blackburn assumes the position formerly occupied by Larry Knoche, who retired June 1999.
Gary has 20 years of tenure with the Department of Health and Environment. For the past 10 years, he has ably served as chief to the Storage Tank Section.
"With his expertise and work record with the department, I am confident Gary can provide leadership to our Remedial, Assessment and Restoration, Storage Tank, and Surface Mining programs," said Dr. Hammerschmidt.
Three grass root organizations offer environmental and health and safety professionals from Kansas businesses a beneficial networking opportunity. The Salina Safety Network, the Southeast Kansas Safety and Environmental Network (SEK-SEN) and the Harvey and McPherson County groups provide this service in their respective areas as network members meet monthly to apply their various experience, knowledge, and training skills to problem-solving discussions.
Members include human resource managers, plant managers, owners, environmental managers, safety coordinators, supervisors, and safety committee members. No dues or membership fees are required to join the network and guests are always welcome
Knowledgeable speakers are invited to the meetings to help network members stay up-to-date on regulatory changes regarding safety and health, and to offer solutions for individual businesses' problems and concerns. Discussion topics that might be covered include hazardous material transport, worker's compensation issues, machinery guarding, risk management, confined space training, drug and alcohol testing, and EPA and OSHA regulatory requirements.
The Salina group meets the third Tuesday of each month. Further information is available from:
Terry HadenSEK-SEN members meet the second Thursday of each month, alternating locations between Parsons and Chanute. More information on this group's activities is available from:
Sean K. Rook, CHMM
Systech Environmental Corp.
P.O. Box 111, South Cement Rd.
Fredonia, KS 66736
Ph.: 1-800-778-7224, ext. 102
Fax: 316-378-4505
seanr@fredonia.sysenv.com
The Harvey and McPherson County group is the newest organization, which began in the winter of 1999. This group meets the second Thursday of the month, currently after lunch from 12:30 to 1:30 in Hesston. More information is available by contacting:
Tiffany Goodvin
Moridge Manufacturing, Inc.
Moundridge, Kansas
316-345-6301
tgoodvin@mail.grasshoppermower.com
The Year 2000 environmental conference will be held September 12-13 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel and Expocentre, Topeka. We expect over 300 to attend this year's conference which will feature a keynote speaker, concurrent sessions, seminars with a focus on pollution prevention (including case studies) and regulatory changes.
If you are interested in exhibiting, and have not previously exhibited, be sure to call to get your facility included on the exhibitor's mailing list. We have arranged for space to accommodate 40 exhibits with a wider space allowed for each exhibitor.
The three program planning committees (which include businesses and industries;
communities and military representatives; and a KDHE staff committee) will meet
in February. If you are interested in participating on one of the program planning
committees, please call us at 1-800-357-6087. The committees meet once and their
charge is to provide topic ideas and/or speakers to assure that the conference
meets the needs of those who attend.
The application instructions for the 2000 Pollution Prevention Awards will soon be available. Applications will be sent via this newsletter's mailing list, and the information is available on the KDHE web page http://www.kdheks.gov/befs/p2awdapp_instrct.html"
Pollution Prevention Pledge information is also included on the P2 Awards brochure, so if you have not "taken the pledge" please consider this step in preserving the Kansas environment.
All Pledges and P2 award applications must be submitted by June 30, 2000. Watch your mailbox for the P2 Awards and Recognition information to be mailed soon.Janet Neff, Office of Planning and Prevention
The Remedial Section of KDHE's Bureau of Environmental Remediation hosted students and faculty from Kansas University's Field and Laboratory Methods in Hydrogeology class.
A demonstration on the KDHE mobile laboratory was presented by Farrell Dallen and a presentation by Mike LaBuda focused on the Geoprobe. The Geoprobe presentation and discussion included capabilities and limitations compared to a standard drilling rig, a display and explanation of sampling equipment and sample recovery along with a general overview of the Bureau's Model 5400 Geoprobe.
The mobile laboratory presentation included a discussion on types of samples analyzed; types of parameters analyzed; preparation of samples; field based analytical methods; the equipment and instrumentation used; and the rational of using field-based analytical methods.
The December 6 presentation was the second consecutive year that BER has hosted the class and the enthusiasm shown suggests a threepeat next year.
Mike LaBuda, Bureau of Environmental Remediation
This two volume guide consisting of the Decision Maker's Guide and the Technical Resource Manual, is intended to assist community leaders develop effective water quality protection plans which assure sustainable local water resources as well as compliment river basin and statewide water quality protection activities.
The guide is the product of a cooperative effort between KDHE - Bureau of Water Nonpoint Source Section and K-State Research and Extension's Office of Local Government. Financial assistance for completing the guide was from the Kansas Water Plan - Nonpoint Source Technical Assistance Fund and Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Grant Funds.
The guide is based on the premise that effective action for protecting the quality of our water resources occurs when everyone - individuals and organizations, local, state and federal governmental agencies work in a collaborative manner. The guide is specifically designed to serve the needs of local government decision makers and personnel. It serves as a "How-to" manual to organizing, planning and implementing locally-driven comprehensive water quality protection strategies. All of the information has been customized to Kansas laws, institutions and customs to target the information needs of Kansas city and county officials.
For additional information contact Don Snethen, KDHE Nonpoint Source Section (785-296-5567) or Dr. John Leatherman at K-State Research and Extension (785-532-4492).
Don Snethen, Bureau of Water
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has chosen the artwork of 13 children from across the state to be included in its first "Kansas Don't Spoil It!" year 2000 wall calendar. The winners were selected from more than 2,700 entries received through a contest that included kindergarten to high school students. Each winner received a $50 U.S. Savings Bond, a certificate of accomplishment and other "Kansas Don't Spoil It!" items.
A 12th grader from Troy High School in Doniphan County won the grand prize. Her artwork, which depicts several environmental activities linked together like a puzzle under the theme "It All Fits Together," will be featured on the calendar's cover. Each month a new poster will be featured for the twelve winners from grades kindergarten through 11th.
The "Kansas Don't Spoil It!" calendars will be available in late December. KDHE will distribute them to cities, counties, schools, legislators, businesses, community recycling centers, and others throughout the state.Cathy Colglazier, Bureau of Waste Management
Office of Planning and Prevention
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Building 283, Forbes Field
Topeka, Kansas 66620
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment recently published the Kansas Environment report. The report was developed to foster discussion and examination of environmental issues in the state. The twenty-four page biannual report covers selected environmental trends in air quality, water quality, waste management, and environmental remediation.
Along with the trends, the report addresses current developments and challenges for the future. Ozone and particulate matter are the main issues addressing air quality in Kansas. The water quality topics are many and diverse. Total maximum daily loads, trends in biological monitoring and water chemistry, runoff, and water pollution control are detailed. Over the years, the frequency of recycling and composting has increased, and other improvements in solid and hazardous waste management have been made. A current issue for the remediation program is the cleanup of contamination from illegal drug manufacturing activities.
Comments should be directed to Ronald F. Hammerschmidt, Ph.D., Director, Division of Environment, Forbes Field, Building 740, Topeka, Kansas 66620.
Bonnie Liscek, Planning and Prevention; and John Mitchell, Bureau of Waste Management
