Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know (SARA Title III)

Sections 302 & 303 of SARA Title III

Every facility should have an emergency response plan in place to address hazards in the workplace.

Emergency planning is important to address the protection of employees, the facility, the community, and first responders. Your facility may be subject to specific planning requirements under federal and/or state regulations.

Facilities are often subject to multiple emergency planning requirements and choose to combine their emergency plans.

Section 304 of SARA Title III

Chemical releases in Michigan are potentially reportable under one or more of twenty-six different state and federal regulations. Determining which regulations apply to a specific release can be an overwhelming task. The "Release Notification Requirements in Michigan" document was compiled to help owners and operators of facilities in Michigan, including vehicles and farms, determine their potential notification and reporting requirements in the event of a chemical release. Check your permits, licenses, registrations, pollution prevention plans, and local ordinances for additional release reporting requirements.

Report environmental Emergencies to the 24-hour Pollution Emergency Alerting System (PEAS) Hotline at 800-292-4706. During daytime hours, you may also contact the appropriate district office directly.

NOTE: Many incidents that are reportable to EGLE also warrant reporting to the federal National Response Center which serves the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard: Federal NRC hotline:  800-424-8802

If your matter is not an emergency but you just have a question or are seeking information about EGLE programs, regulations, reporting requirements, reportable quantities, etc. please call the Environmental Assistance Center: 800-662-9278.

Hazardous Chemical Inventory

Sections 311 & 312 of SARA Title III

Sections 311 and 312 of SARA Title III address emergency and hazardous chemical inventory reporting. The implementing regulations are codified in 40 CFR Part 370. The regulations are intended to provide the public, local governments, fire departments and other emergency officials with information concerning the potential chemical risks in their communities. Over 6,000 facilities in Michigan submit hazardous chemical inventories to the Michigan SARA Title III Program, Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs), and local fire departments.

Fire Departments and Local Emergency Planning Committees in the following counties can receive your Tier Two report online:

• Allegan
• Alpena
• Antrim
• Arenac
• Bay
• Benzie
• Branch
• Calhoun
• Chippewa
• Clinton
• Crawford
• Delta
• Eaton
• Emmet
• Genesee
• Gogebic
• Grand Traverse
• Gratiot
• Hillsdale
• Ingham
• Ionia
• Iosco
• Isabella
• Kalamazoo
• Kalkaska
• Kent
• Lapeer
• Macomb
• Marquette
• Mecosta
• Midland
• Missaukee
• Monroe
• Montcalm
• Oakland
• Oceana
• Oscoda
• Otsego
• Ottawa
• Presque Isle
• Romulus
• Saginaw
• Shiawassee
• St. Clair
• St. Joseph
• Van Buren
• Washtenaw
• Wayne
• Wexford

Section 313 of SARA Title III

Section 313, commonly referred to as the Toxic Chemical Release Inventory or TRI, requires certain facilities to complete a Form R report annually for specified chemicals. The report form must be submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) by July 1, and covers releases and other waste management of toxic chemicals during the preceding calendar year. Facilities also must report information on source reduction, recycling, and treatment under the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990. One purpose of this reporting is to inform the public and communities surrounding covered facilities about toxic chemicals at individual facilities, their uses, and releases into the environment. The EPA maintains the information in a national TRI database that is available to the public.