Department of the Interior
Departmental Manual
Effective Date: 3/3/94
Series: Environmental Quality Programs
Part 518: Waste Management
Chapter 1: Comprehensive Waste Management
Originating Office: Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance
518 DM 1
1.1 Purpose. This chapter prescribes Departmental policy, responsibilities, and functions regarding management of wastes on Departmental lands and facilities through improved awareness, program management, and accountability. The Department has major responsibility for the management and control of waste on Departmental lands and facilities, and associated response actions, in compliance with applicable statutes and regulations.
1.2 Scope. The responsibilities and requirements made applicable to comprehensive waste management by this chapter shall apply to all Departmentally managed lands and facilities. This includes working with non-governmental groups whose activities impact Departmental lands and facilities (e.g., claimants, concessionaires, contractors, permittees, and lessees). For purposes of this chapter, sites on Indian trust lands are not included.
1.3 Definition. In this chapter, the term waste is defined to include solid and hazardous waste, hazardous materials, and hazardous substances under the references listed in Section 1.4 of this chapter.
1.4 References. In terms of comprehensive waste management for the Department, the following statutes are referenced. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (42 U.S.C. 9601 et. seq.); Clean Air Act, (42 U.S.C. 7401-7671q), as amended; Clean Water Act, (33 U.S.C. 1251 et. seq.), as amended; Federal Facility Compliance Act, (42 U.S.C. 6903, 6908, 6924, 6927, 6939 c-e, 6961, 6965); Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, (49 U.S.C. 1801-1812), Pollution Prevention Act, (42 U.S.C. 13101 et. seq.); and, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, (42 U.S.C. 6901 et. seq.); Solid Waste Disposal Act, (42 U.S.C. 6901 et. seq.); Toxic Substances Control Act, (42 U.S.C. 2601 et. seq.); and the Safe Drinking Water Act, (42 U.S.C. 300 f-j 26).
1.5 Policy. Comprehensive waste management for Departmental lands and facilities will be based upon the following four principles:
A. Wherever feasible, the Department will seek to prevent the generation and acquisition of hazardous wastes.
B. Whenever waste generation is unavoidable, the Department will work to reduce the amounts (toxicity or risk) generated through the use of sound waste management practices.
C. The Department will manage waste materials responsibly to protect not only the resources entrusted to it, but the many people who live and work on Departmental managed lands, and those who enjoy those lands and facilities each year.
D. Wherever feasible, the Department will move aggressively to clean up and restore areas under its care that are contaminated by pollution.
1.6 Responsibilities.
A. Assistant Secretaries. All Assistant Secretaries will direct bureaus and offices under their jurisdiction to implement comprehensive waste management using the above four principles.
B. Assistant Secretary - Policy, Management and Budget. The Assistant Secretary - Policy, Management and Budget, through the Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance, is responsible for oversight of Departmental compliance with 518 DM 1.
C. The Advisory Group on Environmental Policy and Compliance. The Advisory Group on Environmental Policy and Compliance is responsible for policy guidance under 518 DM 1.
D. Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance. The Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance is responsible for oversight and issuing guidance and instruction to implement 518 DM.
E. Heads of Departmental Bureaus and Offices. Heads of Departmental bureaus and offices having responsibility for waste management under their jurisdiction, will implement comprehensive waste management using the above four principles. In addition, within their scope of authority, adequate program support is to be ensured in terms of resources and budget.
3/3/94 #2998
New