Improving Facility Relations with Local/State/Federal Agencies

Todd EllisNebraska DEQ

Air Compliance Section Supervisorand

Kimberly BaumanDirector, Environmental Affairs

Mississippi Lime Company

What are traits of a good relationship Open communication

Picking up the phone Requesting a meeting Getting to know the agency folks

Honesty To discuss a compliance issue To discuss a problem…or better yet, a

potential problem To ask for help

How do we get thereTrust

Hard to earn, easy to lose

Regulators- we have the first stepApproachableVestedHonest

How do we get there – cont’dSources-

Engage the regulators Provide a “here’s what we’re thinking” call and ask for

input, ideas, clarifications, opinions Before submitting a permit application or even before

compiling an application When contemplating a new or unique project

Report a problem Recognize that reporting an issue is better than the

regulator finding an issue Report even if you think, but are not sure there is a problem

Have a problem solving plan Better to say what you are doing, or what you plan to do,

than be told what to do Follow up as much as necessary

Better to over-communicate than under-communicate

DocumentationEnsure the story is told

Facility files…details, details, details Telephone memos Meeting notes Follow up letters

Hard copy and electronic copy

COC’s and Deviation reports Reference prior contact/communication with

regulator

Make or BreakRegulators & Sources

Remember, our goals are the same Environmental compliance

Evaluate effectiveness of enforcement Letters of Warnings/Notices of Violation Are penalties a deterrent? Are issues properly addressed?

How you treat people and engage with each other during this process is your make or break

Environmental GroupsAn evolving player

Becoming more knowledgeable Becoming more engagedJumping to litigation is not helpful

Should be engaging the regulatorsShould be engaging sources as appropriate

Questions?