The purpose of the Los Alamos County Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPC) is to enhance Los Alamos County’s preparedness and response to hazardous materials incidents by involving the government, private business, non-profit organizations and citizens in planning and preparing for such an incident. The Los Alamos County LEPC will also act as an advisory committee to the Los Alamos County Government in regards to emergency preparedness and response for hazardous materials and will fulfill any and all additional requirements articulated under the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA).
The LEPC is comprised of members representing: Elected County and Local Officials, Law Enforcement, Emergency Management, Firefighting, Emergency Medical Services, Broadcasting and/or print media, Community groups, and Operators and Owners of facilities subject to the requirement of SARA Title III Act. Visit the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The EPRCA was enacted by Congress in 1986 Congress to ensure that government and the public had access to the information needed to plan for chemical emergencies. EPCRA required each state to establish a State Emergency Response Commission (SERC), to create local emergency planning districts, and to establish an LEPC in each district. In addition to fulfilling its role with respect to hazardous chemicals, the Los Alamos County LEPC has expanded its role with respect to hazardous chemicals, the Los Alamos County LEPC has expanded its scope to preparedness for all hazards and all communities.
LEPC Meetings
Los Alamos County LEPC Meetings are held quarterly on the third Thursday, at 1:30 p.m. at the Mesa Public Library 2400 Central Avenue in Los Alamos, NM. Meeting locations and dates are subject to change, so contact Beverley.Si[email protected] to confirm meeting details. All LEPC meetings are open to the public.
Tier II Submitters/Hazardous Materials Facilities
If you are the owner/operator of a facility in Los Alamos County, NM that stores more than 10,000lbs of hazardous substances, or lower quantities of Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS), you are required by EPCRA to report annually by to the Los Alamos County LEPC and DHSEM using a Tier II Report. Learn more about EPCRA, Tier II Reporting, and find the EPA's "List of Lists" containing all designated hazardous materials and EHS here.
Hazardous Materials Spill/Emergency Release Reporting
(EPCRA Section 304 requires facilities to report hazardous materials spills over certain threshold quantities to their LEPC, State Emergency Response Commission (SERC), and the National Response Center (NRC). Facilities having a hazardous materials spill that are required to report should do the following:
1. IMMEDIATELY DIAL 9-1-1 to inform emergency responders of the situation and enact your facility emergency plan.
2. NOTIFY the Los Alamos County LEPC by calling 505-662-8283 followed by notification to the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) at DHSEM at 505-476-9635 (EOC 24/7) or 505-476-0617 (HMER Administrator Mon-Fri 8am-5pm) and provide the following information:
- The chemical name
- An indication of whether the substance is extremely hazardous
- An estimate of the quantity released into the environment
- The time and duration of the release
- Whether the release occurred into air, water and/or land
- Any known or anticipated acute or chronic health risks associated with the emergency and where necessary, advice regarding medical attention for exposed individuals
- Proper precautions, such as evacuation or sheltering in place
- Name and telephone number of contact person
3. As soon as practicable after a release which requires notification, the owner or operator of the facility must provide one or more written follow-up emergency notice(s) to the LEPC and the SERC.
The written follow-up emergency notice must include:
- Information setting forth and updating the information required for the initial emergency notification;
- Actions taken to respond to and contain the release
- Any known or anticipated acute or chronic health risks associated with the release; and
- Advice regarding medical attention necessary for exposed individuals.
- If the hazardous material released is a CERCLA chemical and meets release thresholds, contact the National Response Center (NRC) at (800) 424-8802.
Contact Information