Integrated Waste Management Board Records, 1979-2004

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Summary

Creators:
Integrated Waste Management Board
Abstract:
The California Integrated Waste Management Board collection consists of 34.5 cubic feet of textual records covering the years 1974-2004 and is organized into seven series: Board Meeting Packets, Bill Files, Hearing Files, Budget File, Subject File, Legislative Proposals, and Board Ex Parte Communication. Some recurring topics in the collection include: solid waste management and resource recovery; waste reduction, recycling, and reuse; beverage container recycling; abandoned vehicle recycling and disposal; cleaned-up solid waste disposal sites; waste tire disposal; regulated landfills; proper disposal of used oil; the reuse and recycling of household hazardous waste such as batteries; safe disposal of medical waste; and air and water quality.
Extent:
34.5 cubic feet of textual material
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English

Background

Scope and content:

The California Integrated Waste Management Board collection consists of 34.5 cubic feet of textual records covering the years 1974-2004 and is organized into seven series: Board Meeting Packets, Bill Files, Hearing Files, Budget File, Subject File, Legislative Proposals, and Board Ex Parte Communication. Some recurring topics in the collection include: solid waste management and resource recovery; waste reduction, recycling, and reuse; beverage container recycling; abandoned vehicle recycling and disposal; cleaned-up solid waste disposal sites; waste tire disposal; regulated landfills; proper disposal of used oil; the reuse and recycling of household hazardous waste such as batteries; safe disposal of medical waste; and air and water quality.

The Board Meeting Packets series includes information about meetings that members of the California Integrated Waste Management Board held from 1986 to 1988.

A large component of the content of the collection is legislative Bill Files. While the majority of the bills promote health, safety, the reduction of waste, and are generally environmentally conscious (these bills are discussed more thoroughly in the Series Description section), some legislation specifically refers to the California Integrated Waste Management Board itself: SB429 (1989-1990) replaced the 9-member CIWMB with a new board consisting of 5 members; AB2548 (1993-1994) abolished the board member structure of CIWMB and transferred its powers and duties to the newly created Division of Integrated Waste Management in the Resources Agency; SB2026 (1993-1994) further eliminated the board member structure of CIWMB and transferred its powers and duties to the newly created Department of Waste Management within the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA).

Additionally, the California Integrated Waste Management Board works alongside other agencies, such as the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), on environmental programs that revolve around waste management. For instance, AB3348 (1993-1994) was a joint report urgency bill developed by the CIWMB and SWRCB that revises the manner in which funds from the solid waste disposal site cleanup and maintenance account are allocated. This joint report to the legislature and governor provide recommendations based upon a study of solid waste landfills' regulatory authority of state and local agencies. The report focused on six major issues: (1) Consolidation of Regulatory Authority, (2) Solid Waste Assessment Test (SWAT) Program, (3) Solid Waste Disposal Site Hazard Reduction Act of 1989, (4) disposal site operator fees, (5) financial assurances, and (6) regulatory activities of other state and local agencies.

The collection also consists of two Hearing Files. The hearing from 1993-1994 pertains to the Little Hoover Commission, and the hearing from 1996 was held by the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources as an informational hearing on solid waste management in California.

Finally, the largest series of the California Integrated Waste Management Board collection includes the board's Ex Parte Communication letters between board members and the public about both proposed and official legislation that is brought to the board.

No further accruals are expected.

Biographical / historical:

The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) was a state agency charged with recycling and waste reduction. The mission of the Board was to promote the reduction of waste whenever possible; to manage all materials to their highest and best use; and to protect public health and safety, and the environment. During its existence, the California Integrated Waste Management Board worked to implement programs to seek a higher and better use for an estimated 92 million tons of waste generated each year in California.

Specifically, the CIWMB provided grants and loans that helped California's recycling industry; used incentive grants and loans to help spur the private sector into developing new markets for recycled materials; cleaned up solid waste disposal sites; and cleared illegal waste tire disposal sites. The CIWMB also regulated California landfills; promoted the proper disposal of used motor oil; promoted the reuse and recycling of electronic waste; coordinated the safe disposal of sharp waste; and encouraged the purchase of environmentally preferable devices.

The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) was established on January 1, 1973, as the State Solid Waste Management Board through Senate Bill 5, also known as the Solid Waste Management and Resource Recovery Act of 1972. This bill was proposed by State Senators John Nejedly, Edwin Z'Berg, and Ralph Dills and signed into law (Statutes of 1972, chapter 324) by Governor Ronald Reagan. This statute gave the Solid Waste Management Board broad authority related to solid waste handling, disposal, and reclamation. Principle responsibilities of the new agency were the creation of state solid waste management and resource recovery policy, development of minimum standards for solid waste handling and disposal, and approval of county solid waste management plans. Each of the state's 58 counties was given the responsibility of developing and submitting to the Board by January 1, 1976, a long-term solid waste management and resource recovery plan, subject to the approval of its incorporated cities.

In 1982, Assembly Bill 2906 (Chapter 1158), introduced by Assembly Member Richard H. Lehman, renamed the agency to the California Waste Management Board. Chapter 1095, Statutes of 1989 (AB939) revised the membership of the California Waste Management Board and renamed it the California Integrated Waste Management Board. This new board would be required to encourage planning that reduces, recycles, and reuses garbage to the maximum extent possible.

Beginning in 1972, the CIWMB was one of six agencies under the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA). The Board was run by six members, four of whom were appointed by the governor and one by each branch of the Legislature. The term limit for board members was four years.

AB 939 also set the stage for a series of reforms affecting waste management at the State and local levels, which resulted in the creation of a statewide collection infrastructure and a cultural shift that has elevated conservation of resources over the convenience of disposal. The Act, along with Title 14, Chapter 15, also provided the foundation to put the state on course to comply with federal standards (Subtitle D) for managing solid waste, including the design, construction and operation of landfills.

As a leader in the state on green building standards and promoting extended producer responsibility, the CIWMB has cleaned up 1,000 old burn dumps and illegal dump-sites and ensured proper funding for landfill post closure maintenance. The Board increased the diversion of used tires, successfully regulated the recycling of 500 million pounds of electronic waste, and has funded over $3 million per year in household hazardous grants to local governments.

In 1993, California became one of the first states to receive federal approval to assume authority over its solid waste activities, having actually exceeded the federal standards through the adoption of more stringent State regulations.

After thirty-seven years, the California Integrated Waste Management Board was dissolved when Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 63, proposed by State Senator Tony Strickland, into law on July 24, 2009. Governor Schwarzenegger decided to dissolve this agency before any cuts were made to education and health care as part of the 2009-2010 budget. SB 63 abolished the Board as of January 1, 2010, and transferred its duties and responsibilities to the new Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (DORRR), which would be created within the Natural Resources Agency, merging with the Bottle Bill's Division of Recycling program, and creating the new CalRECYCLE brand.

Acquisition information:
The California State Archives acquired the Integrated Waste Management Board Records according to state law.
Physical location:
California State Archives
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Location of this collection:
1020 "O" Street
Sacramento, CA 95814, US
Contact:
(916) 653-2246
reference@sos.ca.gov
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