Chemicals that are classified as an EHS are reportable at lower levels. Certain Threshold Planning Quantities (TPQ's) are established that are below 55 gallons or 500 pounds. Facilities must notify the LEPC and SERC immediately by letter that an EHS is in their inventory, as well as the name of a facility representative to assist in planning needs.

The State of Maryland also requires notification to the Maryland Department of the Environment, within 2 hours of the release at 410-974-3551. If any chemical, to include petroleum, enters a waterway or storm drain they must be reported.

During any notification the caller will need to provide certain information.  Have the following information available to assure no delay during notification:

* Name of the facility
* Address where the release is occurring
* The caller's name
* What is the product being released
* How long has the release been occurring
* Phone number
* Health effects associated with the product
* Did the release enter a waterway
* What has been done to stop the release

In most cases, notification to the local authorities will result in some type of emergency response. This can range from a full scale Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) response for large incidents to a smaller response of a local official for a small release that can be quickly contained.

Proper planning and training for facility employees on emergency procedures will reduce the response time to an incident and reduce clean up costs. Making sure that employees know the proper notifications to make will reduce the chance of large fines and imprisonment for facility officials. Fines can be up to $27,500 per incident, per reporting point for each day notification is not completed.

After a reportable release has occurred the facility may be required to file a written report to the SERC and LEPC. These reports are known as 304 reports and detail the questions asked in the initial notification. The facility will also have to expand the report to include what clean-up methods were used and what the facility has done to assure that this type of incident will not occure again. These reports are maintained for public information and can be obtained through the State Emergency Response Commission at the Communty Right to Know Section of Martyland Department of the Environment (410) 631-3000 or the Local Emergency Planning Committee (410) 638-4900.

In Harford County there is a specific hazardous material law. This law requires the immediate notification to Emergency Operations for any spill of a chemical, including petroleum, that threatens or enters the environment. The 9-1-1 emergency number should be used for this purpose. Any citizen who sees an environmental crime or hazard taking place should call 9-1-1 immediately. Fines for non-compliance in Harford County are up to $1,000 per incident, per day of the release.  Criminal penalties can be applied to the party responsible for non-compliance to this regulation.

The Harford County LEPC provides FREE EPCRA compliance assistance to any business that needs help with its reporting requirements. Contact the Harford County Emergency Operations Center at 410-638-4900 or e-mail your request to mkmoses@harfordcountymd.gov to set up an appointment with the SARA Title III Coordinator or the Environmental Enforcement Officer. They will visit the site and review the reporting requirements, if any, that the facility must complete. After the reporting requirements are known they will help the facility by providing a Tier II form and training on how to complete the forms properly.  They can also provide administrative assistance to assure the forms are filled out properly and mailed to the correct reporting locations. THIS IS A FREE SERVICE PROVIDED BY HARFORD COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

You may download a copy of the "Right-To-Know a Guide For Business" from here. 

This information is provided for you in Adobe Acrobat format.   To obtain a copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader, go to Microsoft's page at: www.adobe.com/prodindex/acrobat/readstep.html.

The Harford County LEPC maintains that assisting the facility with compliance is the best policy to assure a balance between the community, business and emergency responders. If a problem is found that places the facility in violation, the LEPC will work with that facility to achieve compliance.