Environmental Protection & Permitting Program (EP³) provides assistance to all University departments in managing environmental issues. There are federal, state, and local laws and regulations that affect our activities on campus. While regulatory compliance is a primary objective, pro-active environmental stewardship and leadership receive equal attention.

Storage Tank Management Program
Storing products and chemicals such as heating oil, diesel fuel, gasoline, acids, and bases in tanks, whether underground or above grade, raises concerns over leaks, spills, and overfills. EP³ manages environmental issues associated with the University's tank systems. The University has closed or removed 153 tanks. Also, 27 tank systems have been upgraded or replaced and are routinely inspected. While many of the tanks were closed to meet legal requirements, more than 50% of the systems closed or upgraded were done as a proactive measure to reduce liability and improve the overall campus environment.

EP³ is also responsible for the collection and proper disposal of chemical, radioactive, and biological waste generated throughout the 27 million square feet of facilities during teaching, research, and clinical operations at the Ann Arbor campus. EP³ is also responsible for environmental investigation and remediation, property transaction, lease and due diligence assessments, property redevelopment and campus environmental planning issues, the OSEH Emergency Response Team, and the Pollution Prevention (P2) Program. The EP³ Program supports the University community by providing professional services and oversight.

Chemical Use Compliance
Regulations, as well as environmental stewardship, require reporting of hazardous material storage and usage to the local community. EP³ works with campus units to obtain chemical inventories and prepares the reports required by Title III of the Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act. These reports are provided to the Ann Arbor Local Emergency Planning Committee for use by emergency responders.

• Secondary containment design
• Emergency response
• SARA Title III Reporting

Research Activity
Ongoing operations and research activity must employ sound environmental practices to provide environmental stewardship and limit liabilities. EP³ works with University units to reduce or eliminate concerns and maintain compliance with the constantly changing regulations. Developing pollution prevention programs and managing environmental permits are just two examples of the assistance EP³ provides.

• Grant review for environmental compliance
• Assist researcher with compliance issues

Property Redevelopment
Future plans and activities at the University affect the natural environment. EP³ works with other groups on campus, during the early planning stages, to identify and eliminate potentially negative impacts on the environment. Throughout the planning process, EP³ promotes actions that have a positive effect on the environment.

• Work on FP & D design team for OSEH issues
• Review sites for environmental issues
• Wetland issues

Interaction/Liaison with MDEQ, MDNR, and Federal Regulators

• Mich DEQ
• Mich DNR
• US EPA

Air Quality Compliance, Monitoring, and Permits
The 1990 Clean Air Act is one of the most comprehensive and far-reaching pieces of environmental legislation ever written. Regulatory impacts and requirements stretch from the large boilers at the Central Heating Plant down to the use of chemical fume hoods in laboratories. EP³ manages the permit and air emission issues faced by the University and interacts with state regulators on all air issues. This includes:

• Title V Renewable Operating Permit
• Source Permits
• Annual Inventories of emission sources

Air Quality Permits

• Renewable Operating Permit 199600218
• Nitrogen Oxide Budget Permit
• Nitrogen Oxide Budget Trading Report

Air Quality Reports

ROP Reports

Refrigerant Management
Management of the campus CFC inventory is performed by the Plant Operations Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Shop.

Environmental Assessment and Remediation
Potential environmental concerns may exist on University property from past or current activity. EP³ coordinates assessment activities to investigate site soil and groundwater quality. If the assessment activities identify contaminants within the subsurface, the concentrations are often compared to risk-based criteria for site-specific exposure pathways. If remediation is deemed necessary, cost effective and innovative solutions are implemented. Remedial options may include natural attenuation, in situ treatments, excavating impacted soils, or property restriction. One or a combination of these options may be implemented in a Due Care Plan to ensure the protection of human health and the environment.

Property Transactions; Phase I Assessments and Phase II Investigations
Acquiring real estate may raise potential liability issues for the purchaser. Through historical uses of the property, hazardous material may have been released into the sub­surface. Additional environmental concerns may include asbestos-­containing materials, lead-based paint, wetlands, and regulatory compliance history. In order to identify these concerns, EP³ coordinates Phase I Assessments and Phase II Investigations for properties the University is considering acquiring, leasing, selling, or developing. Phase I and Phase II activities include a site inspection, interviewing occupants, reviewing historical documents detailing the operational and regulatory history of the property, and environmental sampling.

The University of Michigan is required to implement and comply with a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure - Pollution Incident Prevention Plan (SPCC-PIPP). The SPCC rules are regulated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) regulates the PIPP requirements. Both rules were written to prevent the pollution of the waters of the United States from oil, salt, and/or polluting materials.

The integrated plan is intended to provide guidelines for preventing the release of petroleum substances, salt, or any polluting material into the environment, especially to surface water s. The plan provides guidelines for inspections, preventive maintenance, commitment of resources, and emergency response procedures that will be implemented in the event of an oil, salt, or polluting material spill at The University of Michigan.

• SPCC
• SPCC Fact Sheet
• EPA
• MI Part V
• Part V
• Secondary Containment
• Catchment vs. Containment
• Containment MDEQ link

Storing products and chemicals such as heating oil, diesel fuel, gasoline, acids, and bases in tanks, whether underground or above grade, raises concerns over leaks, spills, and overfills. EP³ manages environmental issues associated with the University's tank systems. The University has closed or removed 153 tanks. Also, 27 tank systems have been upgraded or replaced and are routinely inspected. While many of the tanks were closed to meet legal requirements, more than 50% of the systems closed or upgraded were done as a proactive measure to reduce liability and improve the overall campus environment.

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Storage Tank Division is responsible for the protection of the public health and the environment from releases associated with aboveground and underground storage tanks. The DEQ regulates the design, construction, installation, and operation of certain aboveground storage tanks storing flammable and combustible liquids, liquefied petroleum gas, and compressed natural gas for purposes of fire safety. Tank installation plans are reviewed and tank inspections are performed on all new tanks required to be certified. All tank projects at the University of Michigan must be reviewed by the Occupational Safety and Environmental Health Department (OSEH). All plan submittals and communication to the DEQ must go through the OSEH Department. Contact OSEH, Environmental and Hazardous Materials Management at 936-1920 for more information.

30,000 gallon double walled fiberglass underground storage tank

Storage Tank Installation and Forms Aboveground Storage Tanks (AST) Underground Storage Tanks (UST)

Sanitary Sewer System Discharges
Preventing chemical discharges to a drain is important in eliminating adverse impacts on the Ann Arbor Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Huron River. EP³ surveys and samples discharges from University facilities to determine if discharges exceed target levels at the Ann Arbor Wastewater Treatment Plant. Pollution prevention projects help to locate contaminants and eliminate them from our waste stream.

Your Guide to What Can Go Down the Drain

• Your Guide to What Can Go Down the Drain in the Arts
• Your Guide to What Can Go Down the Drain in the Lab
• Your Guide to What Can Go Down the Drain in Plant
• Your Guide to What Can Go Down the Drain at the University of Michigan

Storm Water, Surface Water, and Ground Water Quality
Storm water runoff, surface water, and groundwater resources directly impact University operations from research to housing. Controlling storm water pollutants and runoff from campus property is important in preventing adverse impacts on the Huron River. EP³ oversees the University's Storm Water Management Program which enables the University to be proactive in protecting the Huron River. EP³ monitors water quality and designs corrective measures when they are required. Installation of monitoring wells, collection of ground and surface water samples, pollution prevention, routine maintenance of detention ponds, and obtaining permits are all part of the program.

• OSEH/SNRE Storm Water Site
• Storm Water Management Program Plan (SWMPP)

Storm Water Quality Reports
Annual Storm Water Discharge Reporting for Municipal Storm Water NPDES Permit MI0053902

• Storm Water Reports

Water Quality Permits

• Municipal Storm Water Permit MIS040090
• Central Power Plant MI250333

Storm Water Management Reference Materials

• Rainfall Frequency Atlas of the Midwest, 1992 (NOAA – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
• Computing Flood Discharges for Small Ungaged Watersheds, June 2008 (MDEQ - Michigan Department of Environmental Quality)
• Guidebook of Best Management Practices for Michigan Watersheds (MDEQ - Michigan Department of Environmental Quality)
• Low Impact Development Manual (Southeast Michigan Council of Governments)
• Post-Construction Storm Water Worksheet
• 90 Percent Annual Non-Exceedance Storms, March 2006 (MDEQ - Michigan Department of Environmental Quality)