Compliance Assistance and Pollution Prevention in New England

Rhode Island

In 2004, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Office of Technical and Customer Assistance was awarded an EPA State Innovations Grant to develop and implement a self-certification program for auto salvage yard facilities in Rhode Island. The project was titled, "Auto Salvage Environmental Results Program: Improved Compliance And Performance Through Innovation". Design and planning for the three-year project began in August 2004, and has resulted in the development and implementation of an ongoing certification program for Rhode Island auto salvage yard facilities. It allows RIDEM, for the first time, to take a comprehensive, multi-media sector-based approach to environmental compliance and pollution prevention in the auto salvage yard industry.

The program consists of three major parts:

• Certification of auto salvage yard facilities
• Statistically-based performance measurement
• On-site compliance and pollution prevention technical assistance

The principal partners in developing the program included:

• Department of Environmental Management
• University of Rhode Island Center for Pollution Prevention & Environmental Health
• Narragansett Bay Commission (NBC), Pollution Prevention Program

It incorporated a stakeholder process that included representatives from RIDEM regulatory agencies, the RI Department of Business Regulation, EPA Region 1, the auto salvage industry, and Rhode League of Cities & Towns.

The project is targeting priority environmental issues, building on Rhode Island’s success with the ongoing Auto Body Repair Facilities, Underground Storage Tank, and the Exterior Lead Paint Removal Environmental Results Programs now in place. The auto salvage yard facility initiative is a multi-media, multi-agency partnership-based program with a special focus on RCRA solid and hazardous wastes restoration, restoration and maintenance of water quality, groundwater protection, reduction in cost of wastewater infrastructure, and proper removal and management of mercury switches. The Certification Workbook (107 pp., 885 KB, about PDF) and Certification Checklist Package (52 pp., 335 KB, about PDF) are written in plain, easy-to-understand language for those not technically versed in reviewing complex environmental regulatory language.

Certification documents were provided to Rhode Island auto salvage yard facility operators in May 2007, with compliance certification checklists to be completed and returned to RIDEM by September 15, 2007 in order to participate. Certification will take place every three years.

Although participation in the program is voluntary, benefits to participants include:

• Reduced inspection priority, with the ability to correct existing violations without fear of gravity-based fines/penalties under the Rhode Island Environmental Compliance Incentive Policy Act
• Making the operator better prepared for a random inspection of work being performed
• Being placed on a public list of certified auto salvage yards facilities
• Receiving a Certificate of Participation from RIDEM
• Using RIDEM Certification as a marketing tool with customers
• Receiving information and education on methods of complying with environmental regulations that apply to auto salvage facilities
• Free technical assistance from RIDEM’s Office of Technical & Customer Assistance (OTCA) and the University of Rhode Island Center for Pollution Prevention & Environmental Health, to comply with environmental regulations and implement best management practices that could result in financial savings
• Receiving educational and promotional materials

In the State of Rhode Island, auto salvage yards are required to be licensed by the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR) , and comply with statutory and regulatory requirements, as well as comply with local licensing requirements allowed by state statute.

For more information about the program from the Department of Environmental Management, contact:

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Office of Technical and Customer Assistance
Pollution Prevention Program
Auto Salvage Yard Facilities Certification Program
Thomas Armstrong (Thomas.Armstrong@dem.ri.gov)
(401) 222-4700, Ext. 4412
Website: http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/benviron/assist/asy/index.htm

For state auto salvage yard licensing information, contact:

Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation
Auto Body and Auto Wrecking & Salvage Operations
Jeanne McCarthy
(401) 222-2416
Website: http://www.dbr.ri.gov/divisions/commlicensing/autowrecking.php