Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)

Purpose

The basic purpose of the LEPC is to provide a comprehensive approach for responding to and managing incidents and emergencies involving hazardous materials in San Miguel County. The LEPC also serves as a forum in assessing the needs for additional training and resources to carry out response plans.

The LEPC is designed to emphasize local awareness and planning to ensure that all businesses and organizations which store hazardous materials have emergency plans to assist emergency responders in the safe handling of material spills on their property.

LEPC in San Miguel County

In San Miguel County, the All Hazard Planning Group functions as the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). We encourage both industry and community participation in our planning meetings. The group meets quarterly on the first Thursday of the month, unless otherwise posted.

Community Right-to-Know

The LEPC encourages an active community to increase awareness of hazardous materials and emergency planning, and it should not be viewed as a regulatory commission but rather a partner in safety and preparedness with all local businesses, industries, and most of all, the community. The LEPC is here to help and welcomes any questions, comments, or concerns about local emergency planning and preparation.

Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), community members have access to information received by their LEPC. To obtain information on hazardous chemical storage in San Miguel County, submit requests by email to Jennifer Dinsmore. For further information call Jennifer Dinsmore, Emergency Management Coordinator, at 970-728-9546.

Preparing for HazMat incidents

In the event that a hazardous materials release occurs, knowing what to do is key. When a hazmat emergency requires citizens to act to protect themselves, either through evacuation or immediate sheltering, local authorities will notify the public through news outlets, on-scene announcements, emergency telephone notification, and possibly door-to-door contact. It is critical to your safety that you follow the emergency instructions that you are given.

If you see an accident or incident that may involve hazardous materials, notify your local emergency authorities, dial 911. DO NOT approach an area where potentially hazardous materials may be present. Let authorities and trained emergency personnel handle the situation. Hazardous materials spills should be reported to the proper authorities for safe and complete clean-up and disposal.

Business and Industry

Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), facilities which deal with hazardous materials that meet or exceed certain threshold amounts are required by federal law to submit documentation of said materials on an annual basis. This documentation is now required to be submitted electronically through the submission program "TIER II submit". This program is free and available online. See Facility Letter from March 2013 for more information. To obtain the Tier II submission program and for reporting requirements and procedures for this state, visit the EPAs website. Tier II information must be submitted electronically.