Join SCS staff as we participate in the 41st annual Baynanza celebration of Biscayne Bay, April 15, 2023.
Baynanza is a celebration of Biscayne Bay and its significance as one of the most important ecological systems in South Florida. Traditionally celebrated throughout March and April, Baynanza culminates with the Biscayne Bay Cleanup Day, where thousands of volunteers join together to help clean up our bay’s shoreline. Since it began in 1982, volunteers have helped remove over one million pounds of trash from Biscayne Bay.
Along with the annual cleanup efforts associated with Baynanza, Miami-Dade County also conducts restoration activities in Biscayne Bay throughout the year. In 2020, staff from the Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources (DERM) coordinated the removal of 70,000 pounds of debris from the Bay and adjacent wetlands. These efforts were partly documented by public service announcements tackling issues of marine debris around Biscayne Bay and illegal dumping in coastal wetlands.
This year, Baynanza commemorates its 41st year, and on April 15, 2023 (from 9 a.m. to noon), the community will come together once again to celebrate the incredible marine resources and help restore Biscayne Bay’s shoreline at over 30 locations across Miami-Dade County. Volunteers at all the cleanup sites will receive a free commemorative T-shirt and community service hours are available to all students who participate.
Click for updates and registration information.
Air permitting compliance is a crucial aspect of operating a facility that generates air emissions. The process involves obtaining permits from regulatory agencies that establish requirements to demonstrate that the facility operates within limits set by air quality regulations.
Air permitting is not just for industrial operations but impacts many businesses.
In Miami-Dade County, Florida, the agency responsible for issuing air permits is the Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM). Businesses that emit air pollutants, such as fine particulate matter (dust), volatile organic compounds, and hazardous air pollutants, or which operate combustion equipment such as ovens, furnaces, boilers, and backup power generators must obtain air permits to operate legally. The Florida Department of Environmental Quality provides state guidance here. These permits are required to ensure that the facility’s emissions are within limits set by air quality regulations and that the facility is taking the necessary steps to control and reduce emissions.
Local business example
In the case of one apparel printing facility in Miami-Dade County, SCS Engineers (SCS) was hired to assist with obtaining the necessary air permits from DERM. The scope of services included reviewing current and proposed operations information, calculating air emission estimates, and preparing the narrative and application forms. SCS also prepared a Request for Information (RFI) to confirm the necessary background information, such as equipment specifications, facility layout, projected usage, and operating records. The deliverables included an Air Construction Permit Application and an Air Operating Permit Application. In this case, SCS could prove that the client did not need a permit even though the regulatory agency thought they might.
What are the steps?
The process of obtaining an air permit can be complex and time-consuming, which is why businesses often hire specialized environmental engineering firms to assist them. In this example, SCS provided DERM with a detailed report and application package, including a process flow diagram, equipment specifications, and actual and potential emissions calculations.
It’s important for businesses operating in Miami-Dade, or any county, to understand the air permitting process and the regulations set by local authorities. Environmental engineering firms can provide more accurate and detailed information, so management understands the specific air quality regulations that apply to their business.
The value is in implementing the practices necessary to maintain compliance with air quality regulations and keeps your reputation with workers and the community stellar. Businesses continuing to operate illegally face administrative and civil violations, court actions, and potential environmental insurance challenges. Another consideration is that the same engineering firm can likely advise you on stormwater and groundwater permits and compliance for your facility.
About the Author: Troy Schick, PE, is a Project Manager based in our Miami, Florida, office. He is a Professional Engineer licensed in Florida and a Qualified Stormwater Management Inspector.
Stormwater and Air Permitting Compliance Resources for Businesses:
Meet and greet SCS professionals at the 2023 Florida Public Works Expo, April 18-20, at the Jacksonville River City Downtown Hotel and the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center.
The Florida Public Works Expo attracts hundreds of Public Works professionals from the State of Florida and the Southeast, providing a great opportunity to network with your peers, boost your motivation, and gain powerful new tools for success! You will also have the opportunity to attend a variety of Technical Sessions designed to sharpen your skills, maximize production, and keep you on the cutting edge of emerging technologies and products. Be sure to visit the Trade Show and acquire new tools, tips, and techniques from the leading suppliers and manufacturers in your industry!
There are many great reasons to attend the Expo, including:
The event is hosted by the Florida Chapter of the American Public Works Association.
Click for details and registration information
Meet SCS Engineers professionals at our booth at the SWANA Alabama Chapter’s Spring Meeting, April 3-5, at the Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, AL.
The Alabama Chapter is dedicated to advancing the practice of economical & environmentally sound solid waste management in the State of Alabama. The Spring Meeting awards student scholarships, honors outstanding individuals, and provides continuing education opportunities.
Click for more details and registration information.
On January 11, 2023, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency posted the General NPDES Permit for Industrial Storm Water Discharges (NPDES Permit No. ILR00) for public review and comment.
Please note that numerous modifications and additions are proposed for Attachment 1 of the NPDES Permit No. ILR00. At the time of authoring this blog, Attachment 1 has not been made public by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Once this document is made available, a follow-up post will be prepared to summarize the changes associated with each subsector.
Modifications and added parts or sections are summarized below:
All comments on the draft permit and requests for a public hearing must be received by the IEPA no later than February 11, 2023.
Our team of Storm Water professionals in Illinois includes Spencer LaBelle and Scott Knoepke, who are ready to answer your NPDES Permit questions and discuss how the proposed modifications to the permit may impact your operation.
Join SCS Engineers professionals at the WMEP Manufacturing Matters! 2023 Conference, “Rising to the Challenge”, April 27, 2023, at the Hyatt Regency in Milwaukee, WI.
This premier manufacturing industry conference will include a Celebration of Wisconsin Manufacturing reception the evening prior to the conference.
The conference is taking shape – check back for conference details and registration information
The Recycling Association of Minnesota (RAM) and the Solid Waste Association of North America Land of Lakes Chapter are hosting their annual Conference & Show April 25 & 26 at the Mystic Lake Center in Prior Lake, MN.
The RAM/SWANA Conference & Show continues to be the premier recycling and waste management conference in the Upper Midwest.
RAM/SWANA Conference topics include Hazardous Waste, Recycling, Solid Waste, Food Waste Diversion, and Sustainability. Continuing Education Credits are available, and there always are numerous networking opportunities. Several SCS Engineers professionals are attending the conference – we hope to see you there!
MDE Regulatory Alert: Maryland Landfill Air Regulation
On December 30, 2022, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) published a proposed regulation addressing the control of landfill gas (LFG) methane emissions from municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills in the state. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas (GHG) with a global warming potential of more than 25 times greater than carbon dioxide. The proposed regulation is modeled after similar rules in California and Oregon, incorporates provisions from the EPA’s federal landfill air regulations under NSPS & EG 40 CFR 60 Subparts Cf and XXX and NESHAP CFR 63 Subpart AAAA, and would become among the most stringent in the US.
The new regulation will be submitted to the EPA for approval as part of Maryland’s state plan for MSW landfills (state plan). The state plan will be equivalent to or more stringent than the EPA’s NSPS & EG 40 CFR 60 Subparts Cf and XXX and NESHAP CFR 63 Subpart AAAA, and will apply to smaller and mid-sized landfills not currently subject to the EPA’s federal rules.
MDE estimates that 32 active and closed MSW landfills in the state will be subject to the proposed regulation.
Some key provisions of the rule include:
This rulemaking has been several years in development and is consistent with Maryland’s GHG Reduction Act of 2009 and the recent Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 that requires Maryland to become “net zero” for GHG emissions by 2045, with an interim goal of achieving 60% GHG reductions by 2031 (over 2006 levels). MDE estimates that once implemented, this rule will achieve a 25-50% reduction in GHG emissions from affected landfills. MDE estimates the capital costs associated with rule compliance would range from $1 to $3 million, annual operating and maintenance costs range from $150k to $400k, and additional costs for monitoring (~ $60k annually), recordkeeping, and reporting.
MDE has scheduled a virtual public hearing on the proposed action at 10:00 am on February 1, 2023. Comments can be submitted by 5:00 pm (Eastern Time) on February 1, 2023, to Mr. Randy Mosier of MDE at .
For additional information on MSW regulations and GHG emission reductions, please visit scsengineers.com or one of SCS’s nationwide offices.
Speak with SCS Engineers environmental and solid waste professionals at the 2023 SWANA FL Winter Conference, February 20-22, at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista. SCS Engineers is a sponsor of this event.
The conference will explore “Imagine More: The Brightest Ideas in Solid Waste” and will feature industry thought leaders and the brightest minds in the solid waste industry, all in the beautiful setting of the Disney Springs area. Continuing education hours will be available.
The program will provide an interesting and educational agenda of sessions and speakers discussing the latest developments in the solid waste industry and a great way for industry suppliers and service providers to showcase their products and services.
This multi-day conference will include general sessions on best practices in the solid waste management profession, networking events and more. The conference is attended by local, state and municipal government solid waste directors, managers, regulators, operators and coordinators, in addition to private sector consulting engineers and suppliers of materials and equipment used in the management of solid waste.
Click for Program and Registration Information
Be part of the community of change by participating in GreenBiz23 conference and expo, February 14-16, in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Today’s sustainability professional is under pressure to do more, and do it faster, than ever before. What will it take to address the complex issues on your plate at the scale, scope and speed required? GreenBiz 23, the premier gathering of 1,800 sustainable business leaders, will deliver the insight and inspiration you need to accelerate change.
Join the dynamic GreenBiz 23 community to harness the knowledge of experts, peers and new voices to help you achieve net zero, advance the circular economy, elevate social justice, safeguard biodiversity, build resilient supply chains and more. You’ll gain access to inspiring keynotes, engaging breakout sessions and valuable networking that will help you address these complex issues.
The conference features tracks on:
The expo will feature more than 50 organizations paving the way for sustainable business. Learn about the technologies, programs and practices that these companies are employing while forming valuable connections with members of the dynamic GreenBiz community.
To Learn More and for Registration Info
