A partnership of Community, Government, Business & Industry to make our environment chemically safe.

PAGE INDEX Peninsula Area Why an LEPC? LEPC Responsibilities Implementation of Title III Information Availability LEPC Membership LEPC Bylaws

PENINSULA AREA The Cities of Hampton, Newport News, and Poquoson and the County of York established a regional Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) consistent with Federal Public law 99-499, the "Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986", under Title III, Section 301.

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WHY A LEPC?

On December 4, 1984, a cloud of methyl isocyanite gas escaped from a Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, India...an incident resulting in more than 2,500 deaths and tens of thousands of injuries, some permanently disabling, as a result of accidental exposure to this extremely toxic gas. The Bhopal tragedy, coupled with a similar, but non fatal, and less destructive chemical release in Institute, West Virginia, here in the United States, prompted the implementation of the national legislation known as the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA). This legislation was implemented by the U. S. Congress at the same time during which the Superfund Act (CERCLA) was being reauthorized. This is why it is also known as SARA Title 111, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986.

The purpose behind SARA Title III/EPCRA has been to create a cooperative relationship among government, business, and the public, involving all of them in the effort to prevent, to plan and prepare for, and to manage chemical emergencies.

Moreover, all three need to understand their important, unique, and interdependent responsibilities for making SARA Title III/EPCRA work.

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LEPC's RESPONSIBILITIES ARE TO:

1. Develop an Emergency Plan to respond to chemical incidents/accidents.

2. Collect and store information provided by facilities involved in chemical activities.

3. Make that information available to the public.

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THE LEPC's PLAN TO ASSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE SPIRIT OF EPCRA, INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:

1. ID of facilities subject to requirements of Title III.
2. Methods and procedures to follow by all responding to a release of chemicals.
3. Designation of Emergency Coordinators who respond to the requirements of the plan.
4. Procedures to notify all officials and the community that a release has occurred.
5. Methods to determine the release occurrence on the population likely affected.
6. List or description of emergency equipment, facilities and personnel available to respond to emergencies.
7. Evacuation plans, including alternate traffic routes.
8. Training programs for local emergency response and medical personnel.
9. Methods and schedules for exercising the Emergency Plan.

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LEPC MEMBERSHIP

LEPC Members are comprised of:

1. Elected State and local officials.
2. Law enforcement, civil defense (emergency management), fire fighting, health, EMS, local environmental, hospital and transportation personnel.
3. Broadcast and print media.
4. Community groups.
5. Owners and operators of facilities subject to the requirements of SARA Title III

Each jurisdiction will have one position on the LEPC. Also, representation from each of the adjacent military bases to the four jurisdictions will be invited to attend meetings of the LEPC.
See list of current PLEPC members.
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INFORMATION AVAILABILITY

The LEPC is responsible for responding requests from the public for information reguarding EPCRA. While the LEPC is glad to provide this information, the LEPC operates on a very limited budget. Materials are available to the public; however, cost for reproducing any documents will be charged according to the following schedule:

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