Land Division

        The Land Division administers several of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management’s Waste Management and Remediation Programs pursuant to the authorities granted by the provisions of the Alabama Environmental Management Act, Ala. Code §§22-22A-1 to 22-22A-16 and various other Acts.    The Land Division has primary jurisdiction over disposal of solid and hazardous waste within the State and with the remediation of contaminated sites.  Major programs within the Land Division include Hazardous Waste, Solid Waste, Remediation, Scrap Tire, and Brownfields/Voluntary Cleanup.  Several Other Programs are also administered by Land Division.

Hazardous Waste Program: the basics

The rules for ADEM’s Hazardous Waste Program are found in Division 14 of the ADEM Administrative Code, pursuant to Ala. Code §§22-30-1 to 22-30-24.  Division 14 regulations contain standards applicable to generators and transporters of hazardous waste and facilities that treat, store or dispose of hazardous waste.  Division 14 also sets forth the permitting requirements for treatment, storage and disposal facilities and transporters of hazardous waste and for corrective action at sites where hazardous wastes may have been disposed of without a permit.  These rules are at least as stringent as the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations administered by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The Land Division administers the delegable provision of RCRA.  EPA has promulgated regulations that ADEM must follow in administering the provisions of RCRA in the State of Alabama.  All federal hazardous waste rules are published in the Federal Register and subsequently Land Division undergoes a rulemaking process to adopt each regulation and any modifications to existing regulations into Division 14 of the ADEM Administrative Code.  The Land Division may adopt regulations more restrictive than RCRA in certain instances.

Solid Waste Program: the basics

The rules for ADEM’s Solid Waste Program are found in Division 13 of the ADEM Administrative Code, pursuant to Ala. Code §§22-27-1 to 22-27-49.  Division 13 regulations contain standards applicable to the design and operation of solid waste landfills and set forth the permitting requirements for solid waste disposal facilities.   Collection and transportation of household solid waste is regulated by the Alabama Department of Public Health.

The Solid Waste Program is administered within Land Division by the WPB for solid waste landfill permitting, compliance inspections and enforcement and corrective action.  WPB also inspects illegal solid waste disposal sites and investigates complaints regarding solid waste disposal.  Enforcement action is taken as necessary to assure proper disposal of all solid waste in Alabama.

Permitted Landfills can be found by clicking here.

Remediation Program: the basics

The Land Division administers a remediation program for contaminated sites under several federal and state regulations and Acts.  Sites contaminated with hazardous waste and hazardous substances are addressed in this Program.  ADEM assists EPA with remediation at sites subject to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, known as Superfund or CERCLA.  ADEM may clean up small sites contaminated with hazardous substances under the Alabama Hazardous Substance Cleanup Fund Act, pursuant to Ala. Code §§22-30A-1 to 22-30A-11 (AHSCF).  Drycleaner site remediation pursuant to Ala. Code §§22-30D-1 to 22-30D-12, the Alabama Drycleaning Environmental Response Trust Fund Act (ADERTF), is reviewed and approved by Land Division.  Division 16 regulations contain standards applicable to the remediation of drycleaner sites utilizing Drycleaner Environmental Trust Fund monies.

The Remediation Program is administered within Land Division by the GHWB and WPB for Superfund projects.  AHSCF and ADERTF remediation projects are administered by the ESB.

Scrap Tire Program: the basics

The rules for ADEM’s Scrap Tire Program are found in Division 4 of the ADEM Administrative Code, pursuant to Ala. Code §§22-40A-1 to 22-40A-24.  Division 4 regulations contain requirements applicable to the generation, transportation, storage and processing of scrap tires.  Division 4 also sets forth the permitting requirements for transporters and processors of scrap tires.  Remediation of scrap tire sites is also conducted by Land Division under the Scrap Tire Environmental Quality Act.  Funds collected by the Alabama Department of Revenue for the Scrap Tire Environmental Fee of $1 per tire are used by ADEM to hire contractors to remove illegally disposed scrap tires for reuse or disposal.

The Scrap Tire Program is administered within Land Division by the WPB for permitting, compliance inspections and enforcement and scrap tire site remediation.  WPB also inspects illegal scrap tire disposal sites and investigates complaints regarding scrap tire management.  Enforcement action is taken as necessary to assure proper management of all scrap tires in Alabama.

Brownfields/Voluntary Cleanup Program: the basics

The Land Division administers a program for redevelopment of brownfields sites in Alabama.  Brownfields sites are real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.  Often in highly desirable locations, redevelopment of brownfields sites may bring jobs, increase the local tax base or create public space without disturbing greenfields.  The Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) rules are found in Division 15 of the ADEM Administrative Code, pursuant to Ala. Code §§22-30E-1 to 22-30E-13.  Division 15 regulations contain requirements applicable to sites wishing to enter the VCP, including reports to be submitted and public participation. 

The Land Division also administers a Brownfields Program utilizing a grant from EPA under the Section 128(a) of the federal Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act.  The Brownfields Program assists local governments and non-profit organizations with assessment, cleanup and redevelopment of brownfields sites.  ADEM may perform site assessments for these entities at no cost, and also offers training and assistance on applying for EPA grants available under Section 128(a).

The Brownfields/Voluntary Cleanup Program is administered within Land Division by the ESB.

Other Programs

Various Other Programs are administered by the Environmental Services Branch, including:

CERCLA Site Assessments, where sites potentially contaminated with hazardous waste or hazardous substances are assessed for EPA.  Based on the assessment, a site may be proposed for listing on the National Priorities List or assigned to EPA Remediation Staff for remedial action under Superfund.

Medical Waste Program, where medical waste generators register with ADEM and medical waste transporters and processors are issued permits.

PCB Compliance Program, where ADEM performs inspections and enforcement assistance to EPA for sites regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act.

Waste Pre-Approval Program, where generators of solid waste must submit hazardous waste determinations prior to receiving approval to dispose of hazardous waste and special waste in permitted hazardous waste or solid waste landfills.

Applicable State Statutes may be found at: www.legislature.state.al.us/CodeofAlabama/1975/coatoc.htm

To view additional Hazardous Waste information please click on the following:   
EPA Envirofacts Homepage

To view additional PCB information please click on the following:   
EPA PCB Homepage

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Contact Information

ADEM
Attn: Land Division
Post Office Box 301463
Montgomery, Alabama 36130-1463

Telephone Number : (334) 271-7730
Fax Number: (334) 279-3050

Question About our Land Division:
landmail@adem.state.al.us

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Since August 18, 2004