Goal HAZ-6: Protect people and environmental resources from contaminated hazardous material sites and minimize risks associated with the use, storage, transport, and disposal of hazardous materials.
Hazardous materials are toxic, ignitable, corrosive, or reactive substances that can cause harm to people. Hazardous materials are used by households and businesses within urban areas. The improper use and disposal of hazardous materials can contaminate soil and groundwater resources and compromise the health and quality of life of residents. Accidents involving the transportation of hazardous materials can also cause explosions or spills that endanger the lives and property of nearby residents and businesses. This goal and its supporting policies are designed to establish strategies to minimize exposure to hazardous materials through the documentation, monitoring, clean-up, and re-use of hazardous material sites; and the implementation of best practices for the routine use, storage, transport, and disposal of hazardous materials.
The City shall maintain its status as a Certified Unified Program Agency and implement the City’s Unified Hazardous Materials and Hazardous Waste Management Program, which includes:
· Hazardous Materials Release Response Plans and Inventories (Hazardous Materials Business Plans - HMBP);
· California Accidental Release Prevention (CalARP) Program;
· Underground Storage Tank (UST) Program;
· Above-ground Petroleum Storage Act (APSA) Program, including Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plans;
· Hazardous Waste Generator Program;
· On-site Hazardous Waste Treatment (Tiered Permit) Program; and
· California Fire Code Hazardous Material Management Plans (HMMP) and Hazardous Materials Inventory Statements (HMIS).
The City shall require site investigations to determine the presence of hazardous materials and/or waste contamination before discretionary project approvals are issued by the City. The City shall require appropriate measures to be taken to protect the health and safety of site users and the greater Hayward community.
The City shall direct the Fire Chief (or their designee) and the Planning Director (or their designee) to evaluate all project applications that involve hazardous materials, electronic waste, medical waste, and other hazardous waste to determine appropriate permit requirements and procedures.
The City shall review applications for commercial and industrial uses that involve the use, storage, and transport of hazardous materials to determine the need for buffer zones or setbacks to minimize risks to homes, schools, community centers, hospitals, and other sensitive uses.
The City shall maintain and further develop its collection programs for household hazardous waste and e-waste (cell phones, batteries, computers, televisions, computers, monitors, etc.).
The City shall provide educational resources to residents and businesses to promote safe practices related to the use, storage, transportation, and disposal of hazardous materials.
The City shall coordinate with State, Federal, and local agencies to develop and promote best practices related to the use, storage, transportation, and disposal of hazardous materials.
The City shall maintain designated truck routes for the transportation of hazardous materials through the City of Hayward. The City shall discourage truck routes passing through residential neighborhoods to the maximum extent feasible.