February 13, 2007

The Department of Environmental Quality announced today that it has implemented changes to its scrap tire program that will reduce regulatory burdens and encourage the productive use and proper management of scrap tires in Michigan. The changes are a result of a package of bills signed into law by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm on December 29, 2006, that will provide for the continued success of the scrap tire program.

One of the changes classifies certain types of high value scrap tire materials such as tire derived fuel as a commodity largely exempt from regulation as a scrap tire in an effort to facilitate the processing of these commodity materials. In addition, other major changes include:

- The Scrap Tire Regulatory Fund may now be used for enhanced grant
  supporting the development of markets for scrap tires by funding up to
  50 percent of the cost of purchasing equipment or for research and
  development.

- Provides the local fire chief the authority to determine that collection
  site access roads do not meet the requirement to be accessible at all
  times to emergency vehicles.

- Prohibits scrap tires from being placed in open spaces between piles or
  being used to create on site roads.

- Simplifies the manifest requirements by allowing the use of a
  consolidated load manifest for certain loads of scrap tires.

- Requires a person who owns a portable shredding operation to register
  with the DEQ as a collection site.

- Exempts retreaders from hauler registration requirements and
  establishes record-keeping requirements for retreaders.

- Allows the DEQ to enter and inspect a tire retail establishment, a
  vehicle owned or operated by a scrap tire hauler for transporting scrap
  tires, or a collection site or other place where scrap tires are present in
  order to enforce and administer the law.

- Provides for a lien in favor of the State upon a collection site that has
  been the subject of cleanup activity by the State for tires accumulated
  after January 1, 1991, and allows the Attorney General to seek
  additional liens to cover cleanup costs.

- Adds a requirement for the DEQ to report every three years on the
  effectiveness of the law in encouraging reuse and ensuring safe storage
  of scrap tires.

- Requires the DEQ Director to appoint a Scrap Tire Advisory Committee
  to advise the DEQ on the implementation of the law.

- Extends the sunset on Scrap Tire Program funding until 2012.

These changes were the result of recommendations from the Scrap Tire Work Group that consisted of representatives from the regulated community including registered scrap tire haulers, registered collection sites, and scrap tire processors, as well as representatives from local units of government and DEQ staff.

For more information, visit the DEQ Web site at http://www.michigan.gov/deq (click on "Waste," then click on "Scrap Tires"). Additional questions can be directed to Ms. Rhonda Oyer Zimmerman at 517 373 4750 or by e mail at oyerr@michigan.gov.

Editor's note: DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"

Revised February 13, 2007 by Pat Watson