Alabama. Dept. of Environmental Management.

Authorities:

Alabama Government Manual. Sixth edition. Atlanta: Darby Printing Company, 1982.

Code of Ala. 1975, 9:7:10-9:7:22. Charlottesville: The Michie Company, 1977.

The Ala. Dept. of Environmental Management administers and enforces the provisions and executes the functions of the Ala. Air Pollution Control Act of 1971, the Ala. Safe Drinking Water Act of 1971, the Hazardous Waste Management Act of 1978, and appropriate portions of the Solid Waste Disposal Act. Acting through the Environmental Management Commission, the Dept. adopts and promulgates rules, regulations and standards for the Dept. and develops environmental policy for the State. The Dept. also serves as a clearinghouse for environmental data. (Ala. Government Manual, 1982, p. 267)

1982 May the Legislature established the Dept. of Environmental Management to manage the natural resources of the State in a manner compatible with the environment, and the health and welfare of the citizens of the State.

The Dept. is under the control and supervision of the Director of Environmental Management, appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the Environmental Management Commission.

The functions of the Air Pollution Control Commission, the Division of Air Pollution Control of the State Health Dept., the Water Improvement Commission, the Ala. Water Well Standards Board, the Board of Certification of Water and Wastewater Systems, the Ala. Coastal Area Board, the Environmental Health Administration Laboratory of the State Health Dept., and the functions of the State Health Dept. with respect to solid waste collection and disposal, public water systems, and hazardous waste disposal were transferred to the Dept. of Environmental Management.

It is the responsibility of the Dept. to report to the Governor and Legislature on the programs and activities of the Dept. and to recommend needed changes in legislation or administrative practice; to develop, conduct, and disseminate education and training programs; to enter into agreements and contracts with other State agencies, the Federal government or private individuals to accomplish its objectives; to establish and maintain regional field offices in order to provide more effective and efficient service; to issue, modify, suspend or revoke orders, citations, notices of violation, certificates or permits; and to hold hearings to investigate questions pertaining to environmental management. (Acts of Ala. 1982, No. 82-612)

The Dept. is financed by the Ala. Dept. of Environmental Management Fund which is composed of all appropriations, grants and gifts, federal aid, fees, penalities or fines, and all monies from any program whose functions were transferred to the Dept. (Ala. Government Manual, 1982, p. 268)

The Ala. Environmental Management Commission appoints the Director of the Dept. of Environmental Management, establishes rules, regulations and environmental standards for the Dept. and hears appeals of administrative action. (Ala. Government Manual, 1982, p. 269)

The Commission was established by the Legislature in 1982 May. The Commission is composed of seven members who serve for a term of six years. No member may serve more than eighteen years. One member must be a physician licensed to practice in the State; one member must be a professional engineer registered in the State; one must be either a chemist possessing at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited university or a licensed veterinarian; one must be certified by the National Water Well Association Certification program; one must be a biologist or an ecologist possessing at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited university; one must be an attorney licensed to practice law in the State; and one must be a resident of the State for at least two years but is not required to have any specialized experience. All members are expected to be familiar with environmental matters. Members are appointed by the Governor.

The Commission selects a chairman from its members for a term not to exceed three consecutive years. The Commission meets at least once every two months and keeps a record of its proceedings. Members receive one hundred dollars for each day they meet.