Source: https://code.dccouncil.us/dc/council/code/titles/8/chapters/13/
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 03:04:46+00:00

Document:
D.C. Law Library - Chapter 13. Hazardous Waste Management.
↪ Chapter 13. Hazardous Waste Management.
Chapter 12. Hazardous Materials Study Commission. [Repealed].
Chapter 14. Hazardous Materials Transportation.
Chapter 13. Hazardous Waste Management.
Subchapter II. Toxic Source Reduction.
§ 8–1301. Purposes and findings.
(3) To reduce or eliminate at the source, wherever feasible and as expeditiously as possible, the generation of hazardous waste and the release of toxic chemicals in the District of Columbia.
(7) Other states and local jurisdictions that have implemented source reduction technical assistance programs for businesses have shown programs to be cost-effective.
Air quality control regulations enacted: Section 3 of D.C. Law 5-165, as amended by § 15 of D.C. Law 6-192, effective February 24, 1987, enacted air quality control regulations of the District of Columbia as Chapters 1 through 9 of Title 20 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations, “Environment and Energy”.
Section 485 of D.C. Law 6-42 amended §§ 100.4 and 105.1 of the Air Quality Control Regulations, effective March 15, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-165; 20 DCMR Chapters 1 through 9) to provide for adjudication of infractions pursuant to Chapter 18 of Title 2. Section 501(b) of D.C. Law 6-42 provided that the provisions of the act shall apply only to infractions which occur or are discovered by inspection after October 5, 1985.
Delegation of authority pursuant to D.C. Law 2-64, the “District of Columbia Hazardous Waste Management Act of 1977”, see Mayor’s Order 98-55, April 15, 1998 ( 45 DCR 2704).
(1) The term “disposal” means the discharge, deposit, injection, dumping, spilling, leaking, or placing of any hazardous waste into or on any land or water so that such hazardous waste or any constituent thereof may enter the environment, be emitted into the air, or discharged into any waters, including ground waters.
(1A) The term “guarantor” means any person, other than the owner or operator, who provides evidence of financial responsibility for an owner or operator.
(2) The term “hazardous waste” means any waste or combination of wastes of a solid, liquid, contained gaseous, or semisolid form which, because of its quantity, concentration, or physical, chemical, or infectious characteristics, as established by the Mayor, may: (1) cause, or significantly contribute to an increase in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible, or incapacitating reversible, illness; or (2) pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, or disposed of, or otherwise managed. Such wastes include, but are not limited to, those which are toxic, carcinogenic, flammable, irritants, strong sensitizers, or which generate pressure through decomposition, heat or other means, as well as containers and receptacles previously used in the transportation, storage, use or application of the substances described as a hazardous waste.
(3) The term “generation” means the act or process of producing hazardous waste.
(3A) The term “generator” means any person by site whose act or process produces hazardous waste or whose act first causes a hazardous waste to be subject to regulation.
(3B) The term “manifest” means the form used for identifying the quantity, composition, and the origin, routing and destination of hazardous waste during its transportation from the point of generation to the point of disposal, treatment, or storage.
(4) The term “Mayor” means the Mayor of the District of Columbia or his or her designated agent.
(5) The term “person” means any individual, partnership, corporation (including a government corporation), trust, association, firm, joint-stock company, organization, commission, the District or federal government, or other entity.
(5A) The term “person responsible” means a person who is or has been the generator of hazardous waste, the owner or operator of a site that contains or a vehicle that transports hazardous waste, or a person who by contract, agreement, or otherwise arranges or has arranged for disposal or treatment of hazardous waste.
(ii) Reduces the hazard to public health and the environment associated with the release of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.
(B) The term “source reduction” includes equipment or technology modifications, process or procedure modifications, reformulation or redesign of products, substitution of raw materials, and improvements in housekeeping, maintenance, training, or inventory control.
(C) The term “source reduction” does not include any practice that alters the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics or the volume of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant through a process or activity that is not integral to and necessary for the production of a product or the provision of a service.
(6) The term “storage” means containment in such a manner as not to constitute disposal.
(6A) The term “toxic chemical” means a chemical or chemical category listed in 40 C.F.R. 372.65.
(7) The term “transport” means the movement from the point of generation to any intermediate site, and finally to the point of ultimate storage or disposal.
(8) The term “treatment” means any method, technique, or process, including neutralization, designed to change the physical, chemical, or biological character or composition of a hazardous waste so as to neutralize or as to render it nonhazardous, safer for transport, amenable for recovery or storage, or reduced in volume.
(9) The term “treatment facility” means a location for treatment, including an incinerator or a facility where generation has occurred.
This section is referenced in § 8-103.06, § 8-105.02, § 8-1051, § 8-1053, and § 8-1441.
(a) It is unlawful to own, construct, substantially alter, or operate any hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facility or site or to generate, store, transport, treat, or dispose of any hazardous waste except in accordance with the terms of the permit issued by the Mayor for the facility, site, or activity.
(b) The Mayor may issue, vary, or modify the terms of a permit or suspend, revoke, or deny a permit to achieve the purposes of this chapter, except that the Mayor may not issue a permit for a period that exceeds 10 years. The terms of any permit for a treatment, storage, or disposal facility shall require that the permit holder take corrective action within or beyond the facility boundary if necessary to protect human health and the environment. The Mayor may establish the appropriate permit fee according to costs associated with its issuance.
(c) Any license issued pursuant to this section shall be issued as an Environmental Materials endorsement to a basic business license under the basic business license system as set forth in subchapter I-A of Chapter 28 of Title 47.
This section is referenced in § 8-1309.
D.C. Law 15-38, in subsec. (c), substituted “an Environmental Materials endorsement to a basic business license under the basic” for “a Class A Environmental Materials endorsement to a master business license under the master”.
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 3(m) of Streamlining Regulation Emergency Act of 2003 (D.C. Act 15-145, August 11, 2003, 50 DCR 6896).
§ 8–1304. Hazardous waste management plan.
(3) A comparison of the alternatives, costs and benefits of public and private transportation, storage, treatment, and disposal of hazardous wastes.
This section is referenced in § 8-1305.
§ 8–1305. Rules and regulations.
(9) Requirements for on-site and off-site corrective action by owners or operators of a disposal, storage, and treatment facility.
(b) At the time of publication of the proposed rules and regulations referred to in this section, a copy of the same shall be provided to the Council of the District of Columbia.
(c) The proposed rules shall be submitted to the Council for a 45-day period of review excluding Saturdays, Sundays, legal holidays, and days of Council recess. If the Council does not approve or disapprove the proposed rules, in whole or in part, by resolution within this 45-day review period, the proposed rules shall be deemed approved.
District of Columbia Hazardous Waste Management Act Proposed Rulemaking Approval Resolution of 1995: Pursuant to Proposed Resolution 11-174, deemed approved October 11, 1995, Council approved the proposed rulemaking adopting Chapters 40 through 54 (Hazardous Waste Regulations) of Title 20 DCMR issued pursuant to the “District of Columbia Hazardous Waste Management Act of 1977”, as amended.
Delegation of Authority pursuant to D.C. Law 2-64, the District of Columbia Hazardous Waste Management Act of 1977, see Mayor’s Order 2005-70, April 19, 2005 ( 52 DCR 5495).
The Mayor may grant a variance not to exceed 180 days upon a showing that compliance with the requirements of this chapter or the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto would result in an unreasonable financial hardship, and that the public health and welfare would not be endangered.
§ 8–1307. Inspections; analyses; right of entry; notice; posting.
(3) Inspect and copy any records, reports, information, or test results relating to the purposes of this chapter. Each such inspection shall be commenced and completed with reasonable promptness.
(b) If the officer or employee obtains any samples prior to leaving the premises, he or she shall give to the owner, operator, or agent in charge, a receipt describing the sample obtained, and if requested, a portion of each such sample equal in volume or weight to the portion retained. If any analysis is made of such samples, a copy of the results of such analysis shall be furnished promptly to the owner, operator, or agent in charge.
(c) When there is a threat to human health or the environment, or a release of hazardous waste into the environment, and the responsible party or address is unknown, or cannot be located, written notice shall be served by conspicuously posting the notice on the property where the threat exists or the release occurred and sending a copy to the last known address via certified mail.
(d) When dangerous chemicals and hazardous waste on property pose an imminent threat to human health or the environment, the Mayor may post the property and restrict access. The posting shall provide the public with notice that a dangerous condition exists and shall prohibit the owner from removing or handling the waste without prior approval by the Mayor.
Any person adversely affected by an action taken pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or the rules and regulations promulgated thereto is entitled to a hearing before the Mayor upon filing with the Mayor, within 15 days of the date of such action, a written request for a hearing. Such hearing shall be held in accordance with other contested case procedures under the provisions of the District of Columbia Administrative Procedure Act (§ 2-509). The decision on the appeal shall be final.
§ 8–1309. Suspension and revocation of permit.
(a)(1) The Mayor may suspend a permit issued in accordance with § 8-1303 if the holder of the permit is in violation of this chapter or the rules promulgated pursuant to the chapter.
(2) Written notice of the suspension shall be served upon the affected party or the party’s designated agent.
(b)(1) Where a permit has been suspended, the person affected has the right to reapply for a permit.
(2) If the person is able to demonstrate an ability and willingness to comply with the permit and with the provisions of this chapter and the rules, the Mayor may grant a new permit.
(c)(1) Where there is a history of repeated violations or where a permit has been previously suspended, the Mayor may revoke a permit, upon a showing of subsequent violation, and upon providing the affected party, or the party’s designated agent, with written notice of the intent to revoke the permit and with an opportunity for a hearing prior to revocation.
(2) The revocation shall take effect 15 days after the notice has been given, unless a written request for a hearing is received by the Mayor within that period.
(d) The Mayor may immediately revoke a permit upon an initial violation of the chapter or the rules where the violation presents an imminent and substantial endangerment to the public health, the public welfare, or the environment.
If the Mayor finds that any person is operating a storage, treatment, or disposal facility, or is generating or transporting hazardous wastes in an illegal, unsafe, or otherwise improper manner that endangers the public health, the public welfare, or the environment, the Mayor may request the Corporation Counsel to commence appropriate civil action in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to secure a temporary restraining order, a preliminary injunction, a permanent injunction, or other appropriate relief.
(a)(1) Whenever the Mayor has reason to believe that there has been a violation of this chapter, the rules promulgated pursuant to this chapter, a threat to human health or the environment, or a release of hazardous waste into the environment, the Mayor may give written notice of the alleged violation, threat, or release to the person responsible and order the person to monitor, test, or take corrective measures that the Mayor considers reasonable and necessary.
(2) The notice shall state the nature of the violation, threat, or release and allow a reasonable time for the performance of the necessary corrective measures.
(A) If a person fails to comply with the notice within the time period stated in the notice, the Mayor shall take corrective action necessary to alleviate or terminate the violation, threat, or release to protect human health or the environment.
(B) The Mayor may recover the costs of corrective action incurred by the District of Columbia government from any person responsible by requesting the Corporation Counsel to commence appropriate civil action in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
(b)(1) Any person who violates this chapter or the rules shall be liable for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $25,000 for each violation.
(2) For any violation, each day of the violation shall constitute a separate offense and the penalties prescribed shall apply separately to each offense.
(c)(1) Any person who knowingly violates this chapter or the rules shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $25,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 1 year, or both.
(3) Prosecutions for violations of this subsection shall be brought by the Corporation Counsel.
(d) Civil fines, penalties, and fees may be imposed as alternative sanctions for any infraction of the provisions of this chapter, or any rules or regulations issued under the authority of this chapter, pursuant to Chapter 18 of Title 2. Adjudication of any infraction of this chapter shall be pursuant to Chapter 18 of Title 2.
Each separate provision of this chapter shall be deemed independent of any other provision of this chapter, and if any provision, sentence, clause, section, or part thereof is held illegal, invalid, or unconstitutional or inapplicable to any person or circumstance, such illegality, invalidity, unconstitutionality, or inapplicability shall not affect or impair any of the remaining provisions, sentences, clauses, sections, or parts of this chapter or their application to other parts or circumstances. It is hereby declared to be the legislative intent that this chapter would have been enacted if such illegal, invalid, or unconstitutional provision, sentence, clause, section, or part had not been included therein, and if the person or circumstances to which this chapter or any part thereof is inapplicable had been specifically exempted therefrom.
§ 8–1313. Dust suppression and road treatment.
The use of waste, used oil, or other material, which is contaminated or mixed with dioxin or any other hazardous waste for dust suppression or road treatment in the District of Columbia, is prohibited.
§ 8–1314. Actions against guarantor.
(2) The owner or operator is likely to be solvent at the time of judgment, but jurisdiction cannot be obtained with reasonable diligence in any state or federal court.
(b) In any claim asserted against a guarantor pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the guarantor shall be entitled to invoke all rights and defenses that would have been available to the owner or operator of the hazardous waste storage, treatment, or disposal facility if an action had been brought against the owner or operator by the claimant and that would have been available to the guarantor if an action had been brought against the guarantor by the owner or operator.
(c) The total liability of any guarantor shall be limited to the aggregate amount that the guarantor has provided as evidence of financial responsibility to the owner or operator.
§ 8–1315. Hazardous waste and toxic chemical source reduction.
(8) Assess and collect a fee on the generation of hazardous waste and emission of toxic chemicals.
Section 6605 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, Pub. L. 101-508, the Pollution Prevention Act, referred to in (7), is codified as 42 U.S.C. § 13104.
§ 8–1316. Identification of major generators of hazardous waste and releasers of toxic chemicals.
(4) The top 25% of businesses, including any District or United States government operations, that generate or release the largest amount of hazardous waste or toxic chemicals in the District.
(b) Within 30 days after the Mayor has presented the report specified in subsection (a) of this section to the Council, the Mayor shall notify in writing each business identified that the business is subject to the provisions of this subchapter.
(c) Every 4 years following March 8, 1991, the Mayor shall reassess the findings required by subsection (a) of this section and make any change in the reporting or targeting of technical assistance indicated.
This section is referenced in § 8-1315 and § 8-1317.
§ 8–1317. Annual hazardous waste and toxic chemical reports.
(3) Is identified in § 8-1316.
(b) The Mayor shall require the submission of additional source reduction and recycling data collected in accordance with section 6607 of the Pollution Prevention Act, or other federal legislation or regulations.
(c) EPA Form R, and any additional data required, shall be signed by a senior-level manager who shall be liable for any inaccuracies contained in the submission.
This section is referenced in § 8-1318.
The “Pollution Prevention Act”, referred to in (b), is Pub. L. 101-508, § 6601 et seq., codified at 42 U.S.C. § 13101 et seq. Section 6607 of the Pollution Prevention Act, referred to in (b), is codified at 42 U.S.C. § 13106.
§ 8–1318. Hazardous waste and toxic chemical source reduction plans.
(a) Pursuant to rules issued by the Mayor in accordance with § 8-1322, beginning on January 1, 1992, and every 4 years thereafter, each business required to submit EPA Form R, and any additional data required, in accordance with § 8-1317, including any District or federal government operations where applicable, shall submit a source reduction plan to the Mayor.
(4) A comprehensive economic and technical evaluation of appropriate technologies, procedures, and training programs to achieve hazardous waste and toxic chemical source reduction, including a schedule for and the estimated costs of implementation of the reduction.
§ 8–1320. Hazardous waste and toxic chemical fee waivers.
(3) Successfully implemented source reduction techniques so that the generation of hazardous waste or toxic chemical usage has been significantly reduced to levels identified in the technical literature for that standard industrial classification as representative of the best source reduction practice.
(b) Industrial classifications that engage in off-site recycling to reclaim the resource value of waste as the best management strategy for minimizing waste may substitute recycling for the source reduction techniques specified in subsection (a)(3) of this section. At no time shall incineration, with or without energy recovery, be regarded as source reduction or recycling for the purposes of this subchapter.
§ 8–1321. Confidential business information.
No trade secret or commercial or financial information submitted by a business to the District government pursuant to the requirements of this subchapter shall be disclosed to the public, if the Mayor determines that the disclosure would result in a substantial harm to the competitive position of the business in accordance with § 2-534(a)(1).
(a) Within 180 days from March 8, 1991, the Mayor shall, pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2, issue rules to implement the provisions of this subchapter, including rules regarding the criteria for preparation of source reduction plans and the imposition of source reduction fees. The Mayor shall consult and give significant weight to the recommendations of the Litter and Solid Waste Reduction Commission in the issuance of rules to implement this subchapter.
This section is referenced in § 8-1318 and § 8-1320.
Motor vehicles, moving infractions, application of law, see § 50-2302.01.
Motor vehicles and traffic, uniform classification and commercial drivers’ licenses, “commercial motor vehicle” defined, see § 50-401.

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