Other Field Operations Activities
The Division supports the Air Program through the operation
and maintenance of manual and automated, semi-continuous and continuous ambient
air quality monitors; the visual inspection of permitted emission sources; the
inspection of asbestos removal projects; the investigation of air related
complaints and releases; and the observation of facility conducted stack tests.
The ambient monitoring network maintained by the Division consists of discrete
sampling sites for ozone, particulates (PM2.5 and PM10), sulfur dioxide,
nitrogen oxides, lead, and precipitation.
For Current Air
Quality Data
- COMPLIANCE MONITORING PROGRAM
The Compliance Monitoring Program utilizes compliance
sampling inspections (CSI), performance audit inspections (PAI), and
reconnaissance inspections (RI) to assess the compliance of municipal and
industrial facilities with their National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) permit. During a CSI, samples are collected from the facility discharge
and subjected to chemical and bacteriological analysis. The results of these
analyses are used to determine compliance with the permitted discharge
limitations, validate the self-monitoring reports submitted by the facility,
determine the quantity and quality of the discharge, develop future permits, and
provide evidence for enforcement proceedings.
- FISH KILL BIANNUAL REPORT
As part of its’ emergency response program, the ADEM investigates
reported fish kills. These investigations are usually conducted in conjunction
with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR). The
purpose of the investigation is to determine the cause and severity of the
kill. Often an investigation is inhibited by the time between the actual time
of the kill and the receipt of the report by the appropriate authorities.
Depending on the given situation, a fish kill investigation may
include the following: soil, water, and fish tissue sampling for laboratory
analysis; on-site measurements of chemical and physical water quality
parameters; interviews with associated residents and fishermen; and finally, a
total count of individual fish killed and species involved. If a cause can be
determined and regulatory action is deemed appropriate, the State Attorney
General’s Office is authorized to recover, at a minimum, the monetary value of
the fish killed for the purpose of restocking the waterbody by the ADCNR.
The Department has a long-standing and
continuing compliance program relative to the implementation of effective best
management practices (BMPs) associated with timber harvesting forestry
activities, including road construction associated with these harvesting
operations.
The Department’s Field Operations Division staff and Alabama Forestry Commission
staff work cooperatively to promote forestry (silviculture) BMP implementation,
conduct compliance assistance for forestry operators, perform routine
evaluations of forestry activities statewide, respond to citizen complaints in a
timely manner, achieve voluntary implementation of BMPs where possible, and the
Department requires implementation of BMPs though compliance assurance
activities, as necessary. In addition, Field Operations Division staff
independently perform compliance inspections of forestry operations and initiate
appropriate compliance activities as needed in order to ensure that effective
forestry BMPs are implemented and maintained to ensure the protection of water
quality.
Alabama’s Best Management Practices
For Forestry document can be
obtained from the Alabama Forestry Commission, or viewed/downloaded at
www.forestry.state.al.us/bmps.htm.
If you have
any questions, wish to file a complaint related to BMP implementation or
potential water quality impacts, or want to request additional information
regarding water quality requirements relative to forestry timber harvesting
operations, please contact ADEM at:
Mining &
Nonpoint Source Section
Field Operations Division
Phone: 334-394-4311
Facsimile: 334-394-4326
mnps@adem.state.al.us
 | UNDERGROUND INJECTION CONTROL (UIC) SAMPLING
INSPECTION PROGRAM The function of the
Underground Injection Control sampling program is to verify that facilities
are conforming to the limits contained in their wastewater disposal permit
and/or to determine the constituents of any wastewater being disposed of in
this manner. The Division is responsible for conducting monitoring activities
at UIC facilities.
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 | UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK (UST) INSPECTION PROGRAM
The Division supports the Underground Storage Tank Program by conducting UST
inspections and compliance activities out of the Birmingham, Decatur and
Mobile Field Offices. This includes the inspection of new installations,
upgrades, closures, and releases that occur from regulated storage tanks.
These inspections provide the information to maintain a comprehensive UST
database and are the primary mechanism for determining if the USTs are
compliant with state regulations.
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- CLEAN WATER ACT (CWA) SECTION 401 WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATIONS
Section 401(a)(1) of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. Section
1251, et seq., requires that certain type activities have a state water quality
certification. The Department issues certification, for a period not to exceed
five (5) years from the date of issuance, when there is reasonable assurance
that discharges resulting from the proposed activities will not violate
applicable water quality standards established under Section 303 of the Clean
Water Act and Title 22, Section 22-22-9(g), Code of Alabama 1975,
provided the applicant acts in accordance with conditions specified in the
certification. The Department also certifies that there are no applicable
effluent limitations under Section 301 and 302 nor applicable standards under
Section 306 and 307 of the Clean Water Act in regard to the activities specified
in each submittal. The 401 Water Quality Certifications are conducted in
conjunction with CWA Section 404 permits that are issued by the Mobile and
Nashville Districts of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Department also
issues water quality certification for Corps of Engineers Nationwide and General
Permits.
In addition, ADEM Admin. Code Ch. 335-6-12
requires an operator/owner or applicant to register for and maintain valid
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) coverage for stormwater
discharges prior to beginning construction or land disturbance (1) above the
Ordinary High Water Mark, (2) for any non-dredge/fill operations below the
Ordinary High Water Mark, and/or (3) construction of associated upland dredge
disposal sites that will equal or exceed one (1) acre in size. The regulations
also require NPDES registration for disturbance activities less than one
(1) acre that are part of, adjacent to, or associated with a larger common plan
of development or sale, that may eventually equal or exceed one (1) acre, or if
less than one (1) acre in size if stormwater discharges have reasonable
potential to be a significant contributor of pollutants to a water of the State
or have reasonable potential to cause or contribute to a violation of applicable
Alabama water quality standards as determined by the Department. The regulated
construction disturbance also includes, but is not limited to, associated areas
utilized for support activities such as vehicle parking, equipment or supply
storage areas, material stockpiles, temporary office areas, and access roads,
and pre-construction activities performed in advance or in support of
construction such as logging, clearing, and dewatering. Please be advised that
a registrant, operator/owner, contractor, or other responsible entity,
separately or collectively, must retain NPDES registration coverage for phased
developments until all disturbance activity, including phased
construction, is complete. Information regarding registration under ADEM
Administrative Code Chapter 335-6-12 for discharge of treated stormwater from
regulated construction, construction materials management, small non-metallic,
noncoal mining, processing and related activity can be viewed/downloaded from
the ADEM Construction
WebPage.
U. S. Army Corps of
Engineers
Mobile District -
Joint Public Notices
Nashville
District -
Joint Public
Notices
JOINT CORPS
404 PERMIT
AND ADEM 401 APPLICATION FORM
LANDFILL INSPECTIONS
The objectives of the hazardous wastes monitoring program
are achieved by conducting Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluations (CME) or
Operations and Maintenance (O&M) inspections at regulated facilities. A CME
involves locating monitoring wells, determining static water levels,
establishing total well depths and evacuating all standing water. After these
steps are completed and documented, samples are collected for laboratory
analysis. O&M inspections are less intensive and involve observing the
sampling techniques of facility personnel and obtaining split samples for
analysis.
The Division supports the Solid Waste Program by conducting
inspections at permitted solid waste facilities and unauthorized dump sites
through the Decatur and Birmingham Field Offices. The permitted facilities
include municipal solid waste landfills, industrial landfills, and
construction & demolition landfills. These inspections provide information to
the Solid Waste Program relative to facility compliance with applicable solid
waste rules.
The objectives of the RCRA monitoring
program are achieved by conducting Comprehensive Monitoring Evaluations (CME) or Operations and
Maintenance (O&M) inspections. A CME involves locating monitoring wells,
determining static water levels, establishing total well depths and evacuating
all standing water. After these steps are completed and documented, samples are
collected for laboratory analysis. O&M inspections are less intensive and
involve observing the sampling techniques of facility personnel and obtaining
split samples for analysis.
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