Daniel Czecholinski

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality's Fiscal Year 2024 Strategic Plan outlines a multi-year roadmap to protect and enhance public health and the environment in Arizona. The plan addresses key strategic issues including workforce development and retention, sustainable program funding, enhancing community engagement, mitigating water contamination such as PFAS, managing water resources amidst drought conditions, and leveraging federal infrastructure funds. Key strategies involve improving hiring and training, securing long-term funding, developing enhanced public information and engagement tools, creating a state vision for PFAS, catalyzing water recycling, maximizing federal funding opportunities (IIJA and IRA), and assuming primacy for federal UIC and CCR programs.

The meeting included discussions on the Arizona Water Infrastructure Act, highly hazardous flammable train reports, the emergency response fund, and the hazardous materials emergency preparedness grant. An update was provided on local emergency planning committees, focusing on emergency response plan submissions and exercises. The commission discussed a proposal for receiving, reviewing, and working with the LEPCs on their emergency response plans, including a timeline for submission, review, and modification.

The meeting included a review of March meeting notes, a vote to fill a vacant committee seat, and a call for nominations for Vice Chair. Mike Stidham and Dave Bartholomew were considered as potential replacements for the vacant OWAC seat, and both candidates were added to OWAC. The nomination of a vice chair was tabled until the next meeting. Chair Tack will coordinate with David Lelsz regarding sampling, and Chloe will reach out to the legislative team to invite them to speak at the May OWAC meeting regarding Phase 2 status.

The meeting included updates on Phase 2 and Department answer to 4.01 Recommendations, an introduction to David Kim, Groundwater Manager, a presentation on a proposed site definition and general permit structure. The topic of 2024 OWAC Membership Application was scheduled, but not reached during the meeting. Additionally, problems caused in Africa by product installation was for information, but the presenter was not present.

The meeting included a review of ground rules and approval of July notes with a correction regarding the next meeting time. Reports were given from the Future State, OMC, PPL, Database, and Design & Permitting committees and sub-work groups, with discussions on recommendations and EPA guidelines. A motion was passed to forward a presentation and supporting documents regarding the use of E301 force main for effluent collection system applications. Another motion was passed to recommend the department work with EZ Treat (and others) to create a path down the individual light permit applying BADCT appropriately based upon design and other site conditions. The Infield Testing Results and Problems Caused in Africa by Product Installation agenda items were not reached and will be addressed in future meetings.