Permits | Air | Water | Land | Field | Education

AGENCY OVERVIEW

Administration (334) 271-7710 permitsmail@adem.state.al.us

ADEM is under the authority of a director, appointed by the Environmental Management Commission, and a deputy director, who is a merit system employee. The director is the final authority on a number of activities and provides direction in the development of department policy, legislation, etc., while the deputy director is largely responsible for day-to-day operations.

 Office of General Counsel (334) 271-7855

Staff attorneys represent ADEM in all civil litigation in state and federal courts, assist in the formulation of administrative orders (mechanisms for enforcing environmental regulations) and represent ADEM in appeal hearings before the Environmental Management Commission.

Public Affairs Office (334) 260-4501 publicaffairs@adem.state.al.us

The Public Affairs Office serves as a conduit for information between ADEM and various groups including government officials, the regulated community, special interest groups, environmental organizations, the media and the general public. The Public Affairs Office routinely issues, to the media, news releases on regulation changes, enforcement actions, public hearings, emergency cleanups, environmental studies and a variety of other topics. The Public Affairs Office also provides direct responses to requests for information on environmental issues and refers citizens, when appropriate, to other state agencies for additional information.   Top of Page

Permit Coordination & Development (334) 271-7714 permitsmail@adem.state.al.us

The Permit Coordination & Development Center serves as the one-stop focal point for all permit applications and Brownfield re-development projects by coordinating communications, conferences and other administrative functions concerning these matters. An environmental permit is the mechanism used to regulate emissions to the air and water as well as to assure quality drinking water and the proper management of solid and hazardous wastes. The conditions and limits of these permits are developed by skilled technical staff assigned to the specific program areas to ensure the protection of human health and the environment.  Top of Page

Air Division (334) 271-7861 airmail@adem.state.al.us

ADEM’s Air Division and local air pollution control programs in Jefferson County and Huntsville implement procedures designed to ensure that national ambient air quality standards, established by EPA to protect human health and the environment, are met. These measures include monitoring air quality, periodically reviewing state emission-limiting regulations, implementing a permitting system to ensure that facilities comply with applicable regulations and do not violate ambient air quality standards and monitoring industrial operations to assure that pollution controls are properly operated and maintained. These efforts have resulted in the number of areas in the state not meeting EPA standards for priority pollutants decreasing from a high of 14 in 1977 to one --- the Birmingham metropolitan area, including Jefferson and Shelby counties, which is not meeting ozone standards.  Top of Page

Water Division (334) 271-7823 h2omail@adem.state.al.us

ADEM evaluates and classifies all waters of the state based on existing and expected uses. More than 99 percent of the state’s waters maintain at least a fish & wildlife water-use classification --- the goal of the federal Clean Water Act. These standards are met and maintained by regulating point-source discharges (including municipal wastewater treatment plants and industrial facilities) and non-point source discharges (including runoff from agriculture, forestry, construction and urban areas).

ADEM issues permits requiring that, at a minimum, industries use best available technology and municipal and private permittees provide secondary treatment. Point-source dischargers must also ensure that effluents are free of pollutants toxic to aquatic life.

ADEM also administers the State Revolving Fund, which provides low-interest loans for drinking water and wastewater projects, the federal Clean Vessel Act, which provides grants for marina wastewater facilities, and the Operator Certification and Training Program for the state's water and wastewater treatment operators.

ADEM’s effectiveness in issuing permits to protect water quality is checked through intensive studies designed to ensure that discharges do not impair water quality. Water quality management follows directions and priorities set by the Clean Water Action Plan, watersheds management, the Nonpoint Source Management Plan, the Coastal Area Management Plan and the Mobile Bay Natural Estuary Program.

ADEM’s Groundwater programs include the Underground Injection Control Program, which regulates injection of treated wastewater into wells, and the Underground Storage Tank Program, designed to prevent and clean up pollution caused by leaking underground storage tanks. The program also provides technical support to components of ADEM and other agencies for projects with the potential to affect groundwater, and protects public water supplies using groundwater sources through a Wellhead Protection Program.

ADEM’s Water Supply Program regulates public water systems to assure Alabamians safe drinking water. Standards for construction and operation of water supply systems and requirements for monitoring for physical, chemical, radiological and microbiological contaminants all help ADEM achieve this objective. The Department’s Water Well Standards Program requires that well drillers be licensed and that such wells meet construction standards designed to assure good water quality. ADEM also protects surface water sources through a Source Water Assessment and locally determined source water protection programs mandated by the reauthorization of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.  Top of Page

Land Division (334) 271-7730 landmail@adem.state.al.us

Solid and hazardous wastes are inevitable byproducts of our daily lives and must be managed properly. ADEM’s Land Division seeks to ensure proper management of wastes currently being generated, remediation at sites where waste has been improperly managed and planning for future waste disposal.

ADEM permits landfills that receive municipal solid waste, inert materials and nonhazardous industrial waste to ensure that sites are suitable and that construction and operation comply with environmental regulations.

A 1989 law established as a goal a 25 percent reduction of the solid waste stream, required all counties to develop plans for meeting their solid waste needs for a 10-year period and mandated local approval by the city or county government for any new or expanded solid waste management facility prior to ADEM’s processing a permit application. ADEM assists local governments in meeting their waste-reduction goals and planning requirements.

ADEM also administers major provisions of the federal hazardous waste law, which specifies environmental standards for hazardous waste generators, transporters and treatment, storage and/or disposal facilities (TSDs). The "cradle-to-grave" regulatory approach tracks hazardous waste from generation to final disposition, imposing strict standards at each step. TSDs must demonstrate financial resources sufficient to cover costs of any environmental or health problems that might occur while the site is operational and to ensure safe closure and adequate management for 30 years thereafter. Hazardous waste transporters are required to secure a permit and carry documents thoroughly identifying the waste being transported.

The federal Superfund program addresses abandoned or inactive sites where wastes have been improperly managed and emergencies resulting from spills, leaks or other accidents. Land Division personnel assist EPA in implementing Superfund provisions by conducting site assessments and overseeing removals at these sites. In addition, the Land Division administers the Alabama Hazardous Substances Cleanup Fund, used to assess and remediate similar sites not eligible for Superfund monies. Top of Page

Field Operations Division (334) 260-2700 fieldmail@adem.state.al.us

The Field Operations Division, through its various Field Offices, is the primary source of scientific and technical support for the Department. The personnel assigned to these offices coordinate multimedia sampling events, conduct inspections of facilities to verify compliance with environmental rules, and conduct water-quality studies of area streams. The Division also maintains air- and stream-monitoring networks, investigate complaints and fish kills, and respond to spills or other incidents that threaten the environment. Analytical support for these, and other Departmental efforts are provided by three Divisional Laboratories.

In the regulatory arena, Field Operations Division has responsibility for the permitting, inspection, compliance monitoring, and enforcement activities associated with animal feeding operations, mining, construction, silviculture, and other nonpoint sources. The efforts to prevent adverse impacts on water quality due to nonpoint sources include working with federal and other state agencies to ensure the use of best management practices, and requiring stormwater controls for mining and construction sites. The Division is also involved in the regulatory activities associated with the Alabama Coastal Area Management Plan and with water quality certifications for Dredge and Fill permits.Top of Page

Education & Outreach  (334) 394-4360 oeomail@adem.state.al.us

In 1996, ADEM combined a number of nonregulatory functions and created the Office of Education & Outreach. Through its Pollution Prevention Unit, this office provides assistance on recycling and pollution prevention and facilitates the Waste Reduction & Technology Transfer program, developed in conjunction with the Tennessee Valley Authority, through which retired engineers and scientists provide waste reduction assessments, upon requests, to state industries.

ADEM’s Ombudsman Office assists small businesses in complying with environmental rules and serves as a liaison between ADEM, small business, local governments and the general public to keep these groups informed of regulatory changes and opportunities for compliance assistance. This office also maintains a toll-free telephone line for inquiries regarding its services.

The Nonpoint Source Unit provides assistance on controlling nonpoint source pollution to the agricultural, silviculture, construction, mining and urban communities through education and funding for demonstration projects.

Through the Office of Education & Outreach, ADEM provides speakers for civic clubs, professional groups or other organizations and educational materials for the general public, businesses, teachers and students.
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