Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)

The Local Emergency Planning Committee, or LEPC, is tasked with the development and implementation of emergency response plans for releases of hazardous materials in Boyle County, as well, the committee has restructured to become an ALL-HAZARDS planning committee. The LEPC is to be made up of fifteen representatives from local emergency management, law enforcement, fire, health, environmental, and media agencies, community groups, elected officials, and the owners and operators of facilities that manufacture use, store, or transport hazardous substances. With the restructure the LEPC now assists the Emergency Management Agency with all emergency planning and exercising the plan.

LEPCs receive guidance from the KY Emergency Response Commission and Kentucky Emergency Management. The LEPCs across the United States were conceived in Title III of SARA, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act. SARA Title III authorized the Emergency Planning and Community Right To Know Act (EPCRA) which helps local communities protect public health, safety, and the environment from chemical hazards. Since most of the same representatives were seated as LEPC members and as the Disaster Preparedness Committee in most LEPCs across Kentucky it made sense for the KY Emergency Response Commission and KY Emergency Management to encourage the two to become one in the LEPC Committee.

Facilities

Boyle County is home to several facilities that fall under the jurisdiction of SARA Title III. These facilities are required to develop plans to respond to accidental hazardous substance releases as well as make chemical hazard and inventory data available to the public. Additionally, they must notify public officials immediately when a release occurs and provide information about such releases to the public. Any facility that manufactures a new chemical or brings a new chemical into the facility that falls under the SARA Title III listing of an Extremely Hazardous Substance (EHS) the facility has 60 days to notify the LEPC of the chemicals and assist the LEPC with formulating an emergency response plan to protect citizens, facility employees, and environment.

The Boyle County LEPC is required to meet twice yearly generally in April and November, however, the committees meet every quarter. These meetings are open to the public.

Questions

If you have questions regarding hazardous materials or need assistance in complying with SARA Title III, please contact LEPC Chairman Mike Wilder at 859-238-1109. In the event of a hazardous materials release or other emergencies, dial 911.