Local Emergency Planning Committee
What is the Local Emergency Planning Committee?
It is a community based organization, that helps prepare for emergencies. Primarily, those involving hazardous materials. Specifically EHS' or Extreme Hazardous Substances. That are stored, transported, or utilized in our local community. The L.E.P.C develops and reviews emergency response plans that include evacuation planning, training programs, and a description of hazardous materials. Provides information about chemicals in the designated district to its citizens. ***
History
The Local Emergency Planning Committee (L.E.P.C). Is a federally mandated body. Passed in October of 1986 by the U.S. Congress under Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA). Which included The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). The law was a direct response to two incidents, primarily the 1984 Union-Carbide toxic gas release in Bhopal, India. This incident has resulted, to date, in excess of 20,000 deaths, and roughly 250,000 - 500,000 injuries. A year later the same toxic gas was released in West Virginia, United States, injuring at least 150 people in the surrounding community. This prompted Congress to pass these laws to assist in protecting communities nationwide. This is to not only inform the local residents of the chemicals in their areas and what to do in the event of a release, exposure and/or evacuation, but to also prepare first responders of how to respond to a specific hazardous chemical release.
The purpose of this law would require communities to plan for emergencies, involving the release of hazardous chemicals in their area. It aims to protect public health and the enviroment, by providing the public and government with information about the potential chemical hazards in those districts, such as what the chemical is, the amount, how to treat a release and/or exposure. This includes evacuation planning in the event of a release.
Santa Fe County L.E.P.C reports under the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC). Through the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management of New Mexico.
Structure
Under EPCRA, The SERC's or State Emergency Response Commission's, are to divide their states into Emergency Planning Districts. Then name an L.E.P.C for each district. In this case, Santa Fe County would be a district. As of October 10th, 2024, The Santa Fe County Office of Emergency Management hosted the 2nd official quarterly meeting. Establishing the committee by-laws establishing the conduct and voting of it's members and public cooperation and participation. The LEPC consists of a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Information Officer, which is voted on by voting members of the committee. Which would consist of citizens of Santa Fe County, business operators, law enforcement, fire department personnel and subject matter experts. The meetings are held quarterly and are open to the public. All public records requests for hazardous chemical information should be forwarded to the State Emergency Response Commission at this time.
Meeting Schedule and Information
Scheduled Local Emergency Planning Committee Meetings
for 2025 will take place at:
The Nancy Rodriguez Community Center
1 Prairie Dog Loop
Santa Fe, NM 87507
The LEPC quarterly meeting schedule is as follows.
January 9th, 2025. 10am - 1pm
April 10th, 2025. 10am - 1pm
July 10th, 2025. 10am - 1pm
October 9th, 2025. 10am - 1pm
If you have any questions, comments or concerns. Please contact us HERE, or call OEM Outreach Coordinator at 505-428-3102.
Sub-Committees
At present time there are no sub-committees. During our October 10th 2024 meeting, it was voted to allow sub-committees to the LEPC. This was optional, and is not a requirement of EPCRA. The reason for this vote was to allow the LEPC to grow and include other emergencies outside of hazardous materials.
***The LEPC is an independent commission, Santa Fe County is the hosting agency and can not have sole authority over the LEPC per SERC and EPCRA guidelines, with the exception of sub-committees unrelated to EPCRA and SERC.
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The economic development activities and work plan for the Economic Development Division focus on Population Goal 2: Promote a Sustainable and Equitable Community, and its sub goal: To Incentivize Sustainable Economic Development including the following strategies:
