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Virginia DEQ Strategic Priorities

Improve quality of solid waste inspections and timeliness of reports

Agency Goal Achieve focused, more efficient programs to meet or exceed environmental standards
Objective Achieve certain, consistent, timely enforcement
Strategy Improve quality of solid waste inspections and timeliness of reports
Team Lead Miller,Debra 
Team Member(s) Shawn Davis, Graham Simmerman 
Opportunity Solid Waste - 5: Improve quality of inspections and timeliness of inspection reports 
Created Date 2/10/2006
Last Update 3/12/2007 
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# Action Owner Comp Target Date Status Comment
1 Reinforce communications expectations between inspector and permittee. Shawn Davis  check on 9/1/2006  Complete  Completed 10/6/2005. Continue to reinforce during classroom and field training. Addressed and discussed in detail w/ ROs during 2003 HW/SW Compliance Training and 2005 SW Conference - see Compliance/Enforcement Presentation. Also, addressed in draft Inspection Manual, see Chapter Six (Pg 27 - Arrival thru Pg 35 - Exit Conference) and draft CEDS Manual, see Section II.E.4 (pg 11). 
2 Reinforce guidelines and training for inspectors to ensure they can discuss potential compliance issues with permittees at the completion of the field inspection and before leaving the site. Shawn Davis  check on 5/15/2007  Complete  Completed 10/6/05. Addressed and discussed in detail w/ ROs during 2003 HW/SW Compliance Training - Discussion of Findings & Exit Interview and 2005 SW Conference – see Compliance/Enforcement Presentation. WDD made special emphasis of need for Inspection Outbrief during 2005 SW Conference. Addressed in draft Inspection Manual, see Chapter Six (Pages 33-35 – Exit Conference) and draft CEDS Manual, see Section II.E.4 (pg 11). Each manual to be published per project timeline. 
3 Enhance inspector training with “real life” scenarios. Shawn Davis  check on 3/1/2006  Complete  Completed 10/6/05. Currently use “real-life” scenarios in training. Discussed real life scenarios during 2003 HW/SW Compliance Training and 2005 SW Conference (10/4-6/05). Also, SWC Inspection Plan outlines use of ‘real-life” scenarios (i.e., WPM will perform at least one inspection per quarter with a SW inspector). Anticipate Opp 5, Task 4 will include similar language to describe WPM’s role in inspection oversight. Further, SWCC assisted with 7 inspections in 5 regions during 2005 and used these “real-life” scenarios to train inspectors. SWCC was advised in 2006 to discontinue “real-life” training except when specifically requested by RO, no requests have been received. Will continue to use “real-life” scenarios in training as appropriate.  
4 Ensure adequate field oversight role for management to ensure consistency of inspection scope, quality and reports. Graham Simmerman      3/15/2007  Underway  Finalizing text now to complete task. Text will be included a section in SW Compliance Inspection Manual draft to be circulated for comments in May 2007. 
5 Streamline input of routine data, preparation of inspection reports, and completion of inspection checklists. Shawn Davis      5/15/2007  Underway  Team members solicited 4/10/05, no response. WDD solicited team members 5/8/06, 5 ROs respond. Team established 6/1/05. Welcome email sent 6/15/06, initial call scheduled 7/5/06. 7/5/06 - Initial call held, team actively brainstormed & exchanged written ideas. 8/8/06 – call to discuss draft manual and overarching concepts, several items tabled for follow-up. 8/14/06 – call on follow-up items, revisions circulated. 8/28/06 – call held to discuss final issues and additional revisions circulated. 9/8/06 – final revisions circulated. 9/18/06 – draft CEDS SWC Manual sent to SWC group for comment by 10/2/06. 9/28/06 – comment period extended to 10/27/06 per RO requests. Team leader on FML October – February 2007. RO comments made 10/5/06 & 11/9/06, team lead received comments 2/27/07. 
6 Reinforce guidelines on timely issuance of inspection reports. Shawn Davis  check on 10/15/2005  Complete  Completed 10/6/2005 - Addressed and discussed in detail w/ ROs during 2003 HW/SW Compliance Training and 2005 SW Conference (10/4-6/05) - see Compliance/Enforcement Process presentation. Addressed in draft Inspection Manual (Chapter Ten–Time Processing & Compliance Tracking) and draft CEDS Manual (Section I – Introduction, etc.). Also, 30 day timeframe for report issance included in SW Inspector EWPs and other regional guidance. 
Resources
1. Discussed at SW Conf 10/4-6/05. Include in Compliance Manual. DEQ to offer Customer Service training to all staff. Managers to remind staff routinely. 2. Discussed at SW Conf 10/4-6/05. Add to Compliance Manual for inspectors to document debriefing. Managers to remind staff routinely. 3. Currently use "real-life" scenarios in training. Used it at SW Conf 10/4-6/05. Will continue to use at specific inspector training. 4. adding a discussion of the managers role in inspection oversight and inspection debriefing to the next compliance manual update 5. CEDS guidance not currently available, needs to be developed 6. Discussed at SW Conf 10/4-6/05. Include in Compliance Manual. Managers to remind staff routinely. Developing routine reports. 

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