The Monroe County Board of Supervisors established the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) in 1987 in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Emergency Response Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) of 1986 to protect the community from harmful and possible life-threatening effects of a hazardous materials release. The LEPC’s purpose is to develop policies, procedures, and emergency plans for prevention of and responding to accidental releases of hazardous chemicals.

Membership Pursuant to 59.54(8), Wisconsin Statutes, the Local Emergency Planning Commission is required to have members as specified in 42 USC 11001(c), which shall have powers and duties under 42 USC 11000 to 11050 and under 166.20 and 166.21, Wisconsin Statutes. Superfund Amendments and Re-authorization Act (SARA) Title III (Section 301(c)) requires that the Committee consist of at least one (1) representative from each of the following groups:

• Group 1: Elected State Official and Elected Local Official
• Group 2: Law Enforcement, Emergency Management, Fire Services, Medical Services/First Aid, Health Services, Hospital, Transportation, and Local Environmental Organization
• Group 3: Broadcast and Print Media
• Group 4: Community Groups
• Group 5: Owners/Operators of Facilities subject to requirements of EPCRA

Duties and Responsibilities

Pursuant to 42 USC 11000 to 11050 and under 166.20 and 166.21, Wisconsin Statutes, duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

1. This is an advisory Committee, not a policy making Committee.
2. Consult and coordinate with the County Board, the County and local heads of emergency management services, and the Public Safety & Judiciary Committee in the execution of the Local Emergency Planning Commission’s duties.

Public Information – Community Right-to-Know

The United States Congress enacted Public Law 99-499 in October 1986 to protect and inform all citizens of the existence of extremely hazardous chemicals that may be manufactured, stored, distributed or used in your community.

P.L. 99-499 is the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) of 1986, Title III of the “Superfund and Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986”.

Information about these hazardous chemicals and locations within Monroe County is available for public review at the Monroe County Emergency Management Department, which is located within the Sheriff’s Office at 210 W. Oak Street, Sparta, Wisconsin 54656. Regular business hours are 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The following information is available:

1. List of facilities reporting
2. Material Safety Data Sheet(s)
3. Inventory form(s) of chemicals
4. Emergency response plan(s)
5. Follow-up emergency notices from facilities

Telephone inquiries as to specific information contained in the files will not be accepted. You must review these files in person.

Copies of documents will be made at the expense of the requestor and at rates established by Monroe County.

Information available from Monroe County Emergency Management is limited to compliance with P.L. 99-499 and does not include all chemicals that may pose a threat to humans, animals or the environment.

If you have questions related to this notice or its application in Monroe County call (608) 269-8711.

Final Amendments to EPCRA Regulations

On October 17, 2008, EPA finalized several changes to the Emergency Planning (Section 302), Emergency Release Notification (Section 304) and Hazardous Chemical Reporting (Sections 311 and 312) regulations that were proposed on June 8, 1998 (63 FR 31268). These changes include clarification on how to report hazardous chemicals in mixtures, and changes to Tier I and Tier II forms. Additionally, the rules now use a question and answer format. Facilities subject to EPCRA reporting, State Emergency Response Commissions (SERCs), Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) and fire departments should become familiar with the new regulation.

For more details please visit: http://epa.gov/emergencies/content/epcra/index.htm

Meetings

Meetings are held twice a year, in the months of January and July, the date, time, and location to be determined by the LEPC Chair and Emergency Management Coordinator.

The agenda for each meeting will be posted on this site, link below, or can be viewed at the Monroe County Emergency Management Department.

All Monroe County LEPC meetings are open to the public and anyone is welcome to attend.

This legal notice is published to inform the general public and complies with Section 324 of P.L. 55-499. Emergency public notices will also be issued in the event an actual emergency occurs which requires public notification.

Agendas and Minutes