Hazmat agreements approved with neighboring counties
The Butler County hazardous materials response team will respond to large-scale hazardous material incidents in four surrounding counties under a series of contracts county commissioners approved Wednesday, March 11.
Clarion, Lawrence, Mercer and Venango counties will pay $2,500 each to the Butler County Hazardous Materials Response Team 100 this year, and reimburse the hazmat team for the cost of materials used and the amount of time the team’s equipment is used following any response.
Emergency Services director Steve Bicehouse said expenses above and beyond the $2,500 fee are billable under the state’s Act 165 of 1990, the Hazardous Material Emergency Planning and Response Act.
The other counties are responsible for billing the parties responsible for the incidents and then reimbursing Team 100, he said. The other counties also are responsible for resolving any disputes between them and the company or party that caused the incident, he said.
“These responses would only be for a true emergency that needs an offensive team. Not one that typically you see for fuel spills or smaller events that can be handed locally. So these will be for large events,” Bicehouse said.
He said the other counties used to pay a contractor to handle hazardous materials responses, but the contractor raised its fees 200%, he said.
Emergency management coordinators from the other counties will call Butler County’s 911 emergency dispatch to request Team 100. Team 100’s commander or hazmat specialist will call the coordinator who made the request to make sure the team doesn’t respond to something for which they are not needed, he said.
The agreements are for one year because the county is in talks with the other counties about forming a regional hazmat team, Bicehouse said.
Commissioners also approved a landowner agreement to treat and manage invasive plant species in Alameda Park in partnership with the Butler County Conservation District.
The agreement calls for the conservation district to develop an invasive species management plan, coordinate efforts to prepare and treat sites for invasive species, coordinate funding and provide follow-up assistance.
Some of the invasive species in the park are privet, tree of heaven, Japanese knotweed, Japanese barberry and invasive vines, according to Lance Welliver, county parks and recreation director.
The agreement involves the Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management pilot project in 13 northwestern Pennsylvania counties, including Butler. The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded $210,000 to the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts for the pilot. The association said $149,000 will be distributed evenly among conservation districts participating in the program.
In addition, the commissioners approved a $158,000 professional services agreement with Pashek+MTR for consulting services for the county’s comprehensive park, recreation and open space plan.
Welliver also said the dog park at Alameda Park will be closed for maintenance from April 13 through May 22, and the flashlight Easter egg hunt will be held March 27 at the park.
