Regulatory Background

The federal Accidental Release Prevention Program (Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 68 ) was approved in June 1996. Part 68 implements Section 112 (r)(7) of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. The California Risk Management and Prevention Program (RMPP) was established in 1986. The federal program, with certain additions specific to the state, has replaced the Risk Management and Prevention Program as the California Accidental Release Prevention (CalARP) Program. The legal authority for the CalARP Program is the California Health and Safety Code (H&SC), Division 20, Chapter 6.95, Article 2 (commencing with Section 25531). The California Office of Emergency Services has issued implementation regulations (CCR Title 19, Division 2, Chapter 4.5).).

Contra Costa County Health Services Department

Contra Costa County Health Services Department (CCCHSD) is the administering agency (AA) for the CalARP regulation for all incorporated and unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County. County CalARP staff may be consulted on the program by calling (925) 646-2286.

Guidance Document Vs Regulations

If you are the owner or operator of a stationary source, this document provides guidance to help you determine if your processes are subject to the CalARP regulations and how to comply with these regulations. This document does not substitute for the CalARP regulations, nor is it a regulation itself. Thus, this document cannot impose legally binding requirements on CCCHSD or the regulated community and may not apply to a particular situation based upon the circumstances. However, the Health and Safety Code requires each stationary source to work closely with the administering agency (CCCHSD) in determining an appropriate level of detail for the RMP documentation requirements, including those for external events analysis. The Contra Costa County Community Awareness Emergency Response (CAER) Group, Inc. formed committees comprised of community, industry and CCCHSD members to reach a agreement on the degree of detail appropriate for an RMP submitted to CCCHSD. The committee members solicited, received, and considered outside comments. There were serious discussions of issues. The level of detail described in this document reflects a compromise agreement of the members of the committees that it represents the level of detail appropriate for Contra Costa County.

As stated above, The CalARP regulations require you to work closely with CCCHSD on the appropriate level of detail to include in your RMP. Preparing an RMP consistent with these guidelines fulfills your the requirement to work closely with CCCHSD, with the exception of the consultation on the appropriate process hazard analysis methodology. CCCHSD recognizes that the guidance given here-in will not be appropriate for all situations. You must work closely with CCCHSD to the extent you believe it appropriate to deviate from these guidelines.

CCCHSD may revise this guidance in the future, as appropriate.

Revision Date: July 1, 1998