Regulatory Compliance and Quality Programs: Constraints and Opportunities of Integration

Find out more how Freer Consulting can help your business with regulatory compliance and quality programs. By examining the costs and benefits of implementing process-based integrated management systems, organizations may gain insight into the potential value of merging regulatory compliance with quality programs. As an example, the food processing industry is regulated by the Food […]

AISC Updates Steel Fabrication Standard

https://www.freerconsulting.com/aisc-certification-consulting The American Institute for Steel Construction (AISC) has updated its steel fabrication standard, now titled Standard for Certification Programs 207-20, which supersedes the prior Certification Standard for Steel Fabrication and Erection, and Manufacturing of Metal Components 207-16. The new standard takes effect on June 1, 2021 and is available for download. A brief summary […]

Changes to AWO Responsible Carrier Program

The American Waterways Operators (AWO) has implemented changes in its Responsible Carrier Program (RCP). If your company is a participant in the RCP, it might be a good time to review your safety management system to ensure that your company is in compliance. According to The Waterways Journal Weekly, changes to the RCP include: AWO […]

Tire Dust Is Poisoning Coho Salmon

In December of 2020, The Seattle Times reported that in a paper published in Science magazine, researchers have identified an antioxidant chemical used in tire rubber that can cause the deaths of coho salmon, particularly in the Puget Sound region: More specifically, a single chemical, 6PPD-quinone, derived from a preservative that helps tires last longer, […]

Alaska Construction General Permit Available for Review

If your business has coverage under the Alaska Construction General Permit for Discharges from Large and Small Construction Activities, you have an opportunity to review and comment on the proposed final permit that the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will issue to succeed the current permit. The last day to submit feedback to DEC […]

Ecology Releases New Construction Stormwater General Permit

The Washington Department of Ecology has reissued the Construction Stormwater General Permit to take effect on January 1, 2021. The permit authorizes stormwater and approved non-stormwater discharges associated with construction activity. Permit coverage is required for the following: Ongoing construction sites that are covered under the existing permit Construction sites that disturb one acre or […]

EPA Proposes Changes in New MSGP

In March of 2020, the EPA released its final proposed version of the Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) that will replace the 2015 version currently in force. The MSGP authorizes stormwater discharges in areas where the EPA is the permitting authority, e.g., areas not covered by a state general permit. The comment period for the proposed […]

Violations of the Clean Water Act in Washington in 2019

Over the past several years, regulatory authorities and nonprofits have increased their watch over stormwater compliance. Freer Consulting routinely monitors records for the state of Washington from the Region 10 office of the Environmental Protection Agency for Notices of Intent (NOI) to Sue under the Clean Water Act. In 2019, the EPA received 21 NOIs […]

King County Stormwater Violations Trend

This year, a new permit for Industrial Stormwater General Permit (ISGP) for the state of Washington went into effect. Now is a great time to look at how permit holders in King County did over the 2015-2019 period regarding stormwater violations. Data was collected from the Department of Ecology looking at all industrial stormwater violations […]