The purpose of Hazardous Waste program is to ensure that all hazardous waste generated in Madera County are properly handled, recycled, stored and disposed.  In California, there are four characteristics that identify a hazardous waste:

• Ignitable
• Reactive
• Corrosive
• Toxic

In addition to the four characteristics, if a waste is listed in the State and/or Federal regulations, then it is also considered a hazardous waste.

 Program Overview

• Environmental Health Division provides regulatory oversight of hazardous waste program, including:
• Annual permit issuance
• Inspect businesses for compliance with the Hazardous Waste laws and regulations
• Verify Hazardous Waste accumulation, labeling, container and tank management standards, and waste generator status
• Respond to complaints of illegal disposal of hazardous waste

 Part of the Hazardous Waste inspection and oversight program is the Onsite Treatment of Hazardous Waste - Tiered Permitting program. Hazardous waste treatment is any method, technique, or process designed to change the physical, chemical, or biological composition of any hazardous waste or reduces its harmful characteristics and may reduce the volume of the hazardous waste.

Tiered Permitting is a State of California authorized hazardous waste treatment and storage program that matches each permitted tier with the degree of risk associated with the waste generators treatment or storage activities.

The 5 Tiers of Tiered Permitting program are as follows:

• Full Permit
• Standardized Permit
• Conditional Authorization (CA)
• Conditionally Exempt (CE)
• Permit by Rule (PBR)

The State of California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has regulatory oversight of Full Permit and Standardized Permit facilities.

The three lower tiers - Permit by Rule (PBR), Conditional Authorization (CA), and Conditionally Exempt (CE) are regulated by the local administering agency. In Madera County, the local administering agency is the Environmental Health Division.

 Program Overview

• Environmental Health Division provides regulatory oversight of the Tiered Permitting Program, including:
• Annual permit issuance
• Permitting of all authorized waste treatment activities.
• Triennial inspection for all tiered permitting waste treatment activities.
• Oversight of all waste treatment unit closures

 Additional Information
Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC)
DTSC Publications and Forms