Division of Emergency and Remedial Response

Program Description

The Division of Emergency and Remedial Response focuses on the prevention, identification, investigation and cleanup of chemical and petroleum hazards in Ohio.  Activities conducted, overseen, or supported by the division include brownfield revitalization; emergency response; site assessment and investigation; spill prevention, control and countermeasures; remedial response; and voluntary assessment/cleanup actions. 

Emergency Response, Special Investigation and Radiological Safety Section (ERSIS) 

The Emergency Response Program conducts and oversees emergency response actions at spills and releases of chemicals, petroleum and other hazardous materials that threaten human health and the environment.  The district On-scene Coordinators may conduct an emergency response action themselves or assist local fire and haz-mat officials. Emergency response actions are typically short in duration and timeliness is critical. Ohio’s release reporting law requires a “spill” or release to be reported within 30 minutes. The U.S. EPA “List of Lists” contains the list of hazardous substances with reportable quantities that must be reported when spilled or released.  The reportable quantities for oil, which includes animal and vegetable oils, can be found in Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 3750-25-20.  Spills and releases should be reported to the Ohio EPA Release Reporting Hotline at 1-800-282-9378.

The Emergency Response Program conducts inspections at facilities subject to the Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Regulations. 

The Emergency Response Program also participates in the Elemental Mercury Collection Program.  The goal of the collection program is to reduce the amount of mercury in local communities throughout Ohio, thereby reducing the risk of mercury releases to homes, schools and the environment.

Assessment, Cleanup and REuse Section (ACRE)

The Assessment, Cleanup and REuse Section conducts and oversees the assessment, investigation and cleanup of contaminated and potentially contaminated sites that threaten human health and the environment.

The Enforcement/Remediation Program conducts assessments at sitesand oversees investigations and cleanups at sites through the use of administrative and judicial enforcement orders.  The program also assists U.S. EPA by conducting assessments at potentially contaminated sites and overseeing the cleanup of Superfund sites and removal actions.  The assessment, investigations and cleanups are conducted and overseen by district Site Coordinators.

Sampling and assessment assistance can be provided by the Site Investigation Field Unit to communities that want to revitalize brownfield sites. Through a grant from U.S. EPA, the Site Investigation Field Unit can provide subsidized assistance to communities, port authorities and other public entities.

The Voluntary Action Program issues releases of liability called covenants not to sue to those who voluntarily clean up contaminated sites and provides technical assistance to those conducting these cleanups.  Those who seek a covenant for sites that they voluntarily cleaned up must meet certain cleanup standards and submit information to Ohio EPA in a “no further action letter” documenting that the standards have been met. The review of the submitted information is conducted by district Site Coordinators.  Technical assistance may also be provided by the district Site Coordinators.

Site Assistance and Brownfield Revitalization Section (SABR)

The Site Assistance and Brownfield Revitalization Program manages marketing and outreach activities for the division.  It assists local governments with the cleanup and marketing of contaminated and potentially contaminated properties through conferences, on the Internet (e.g., the Ohio Brownfield Inventory) and other venues.  It manages the federal brownfield grant and coordinates grant-funded technical assistance and targeted brownfield assessments.  It also manages the environmental insurance program.

The section assists the Ohio Department of Development and the Clean Ohio Council in adminstering the Clean Ohio Fund.

The section also oversees the cetification, performance tracking and training of Voluntary Action Program certified professionals and certified laboratories.

Page last updated September 30, 2009