EPCRA 42 USC §11003(c)(1) reads:
List of facilities that store
EHS,
routes likely to be used in the transport of EHS, and
those facilities that contribute or subjected to additional risk due
to proximity to facilities that store EHS.
The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) is required to identify facilities that use or store Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS). A list of EHS can be found at the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) web site: www.epa.gov/ceppo/ehs/ehslist.html. This link is also repeated in Appendix B.
The LEPC is also required to identify routes that are likely to be used in the transport of EHS. In addition, the LEPC is also required to identify those facilities that contribute to or are subject to additional risk due to proximity to facilities that store EHS. The following sections of this page discuss the DeKalb County LEPC's findings for each of these EPCRA requirements in turn.
The LEPC has identified facilities with EHS from reviewing Tier II Reports. The data from these regulated facilities have been entered into the CAMEO database program suite. With the help of the regulated facilities in DeKalb County, the LEPC will continually keep this information up to date.
Regulated facilities can most easily and accurately provide the Tier II Report information by using a computer program that has been specially designed for this. To learn more about how to obtain and use this free Windows program, see our tier2submit.exe web pages.
The LEPC is required to identify routes likely to be used in the transport of EHS.
DeKalb County is largely a rural county, but with a major state university, several railroad lines extending to Chicago, and several pipelines traversing the county. This report will analyze the types of transportation used.
The following types of transportation have been identified by the LEPC:
The following sections of this page will discuss each of these in turn.
DeKalb County is centrally located in northern Illinois, approximately 60 miles (100 km) west of Chicago and 45 miles (75 km) southeast of Rockford. Its location thus puts it on routes between the first and second largest cities in Illinois. In addition, it is located about 15 miles (25 km) west of Aurora and 22 miles (35 km) west of Naperville (the third and fourth largest cities) along the I–88 corridor. Roadway transportation is a major method of transporting EHS. We have identified three different types of roadways that would be used to transport EHS.
Major Roadways and the towns they pass through (I = Interstate, US = U.S. Highway, SR = Illinois State Route):
As of this CERP revision (2005), DeKalb County does not restrict vehicular traffic aside from the State of Illinois' size and weight restrictions.
Many shipments of EHS are in transit through the region. Quantities can range from small shipments to tank cars. It is possible that any EHS could be shipped through the region. Typical accidents can include ruptured fuel tanks, low overhead clearance accidents, and collisions.
Major accidents often result in highway closures and traffic control. This can cause a large disruption in traffic and cause a large short–term economic impact. In addition, an accidental release of a large quantity could result in protective action for the vicinity, including possible evacuation and sheltering of the residents.
Emergency response may include activating the area's Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS), and coordinating highway closures with the DeKalb County Sheriff's Department, along with the other various law enforcement agencies in the county, the State Police, and the DeKalb County Highway Department, and other public works agencies.
Many EHS shipments originate, traverse or terminate in DeKalb County. Industrial areas are usually served by truck traffic routes along major streets. Quantities can range from small shipments to tank cars. Any EHS could be shipped to a facility. Typical accidents include ruptured fuel tanks, low overhead clearance accidents, and collisions.
Major accidents often result in street closures and traffic control. This may disrupt local traffic patterns. In addition, an accidental release of Hazardous Material could result in protective action for the vicinity.
Emergency response may include activating the area's MABAS system. Street closures may involve local police departments and emergency management agencies.
Thoroughfares other than those listed above, such as streets located in downtown business districts and residential areas, generally have infrequent EHS shipments. These shipments are usually limited to small quantities delivered to local businesses. Typical accidents include ruptured fuel tanks, low overhead clearance accidents, low speed collisions, and loading and unloading accidents.
Accidents and small releases are usually handled by the local Hazardous Materials unit. Generally, the size and severity of the accidental release do not require extensive street closures or protective actions.
DeKalb County has five major railroad lines through it, serving as east–west routes from Chicago to points west, and one branch route. For each we list the current owner and their web site, plus other names by which these lines are often identified on maps. Except as indicated, these are exclusively freight routes. From north to south, the major lines are (with the towns they pass through):
The last two railroads cross in Rochelle [Ogle County]:
Amtrak passenger service uses this line between Chicago, Mendota [LaSalle County] and points west.
Quantities of EHS carried on these railroads range from small shipments to 20,000+ gallon tank cars.
It is possible that any type of EHS could be shipped through the region. Possible accident types include ruptured fuel tanks, derailings, collisions, and low overhead clearance accidents. Major accidents often result in highway closures and traffic control. This can cause a large disruption in traffic and cause a large short–term economic impact. In addition, an accidental release of a Hazardous Material could result in protective action for the vicinity.
Emergency response may include activating the area's MABAS system, and coordinating highway closures with the Illinois State Police and Department of Transportation.
There are several transmission pipelines that run through DeKalb County. These include:
Pipelines generally do not contain EHS, but they are included here as facilities that could contribute to additional risk. They are regulated by the Federal Government. In particular, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) of the US Deparment of Transportation (DOT) has the public responsibility for safe and secure movement of hazardous materials through the nation's pipelines. The LEPC maintains a list of Pipeline Emergency Contacts, and has mapped the pipeline locations in CAMEO.
DeKalb County is directly in the path of east–west air traffic traveling to and from Chicago through O'Hare and Midway airports.
Airplanes may carry EHS, but these are regulated as "Dangerous Goods" by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The size, quantity, and packaging of dangerous goods are strictly controlled. The physical hazard from a plane crash and the resulting fuel fire would virtually outweigh any hazard from the cargo on board.
The LEPC is required to identify other facilities that contribute to additional risk as well as identify other facilities that are subjected to additional risk due to proximity to facilities that store EHS.
The LEPC has determined any facility that stores Hazardous Material may contribute to additional risk. These facilities will be entered into CAMEO when Tier 2 reports are received, and this information will be made available to emergency responders.
The LEPC has also determined that pipeline facilities may contribute to additional risk. See the pipeline section above.
The LEPC has determined that the following facilities may be subjected to additional risk due to their proximity to an EHS and/or Hazardous Material facility or transportation route.
Three hospitals in DeKalb County: Kishwaukee Community Hospital in DeKalb city, Valley West Community Hospital in Sandwich, and Kindred Hospital in Sycamore have been identified and entered and mapped into CAMEO. We have also obtained contact information for each hospital.
Both Northern Illinois University in DeKalb City, and Kishwaukee College near Malta have been identified and will be entered into CAMEO. We are working on mapping every location and obtaining contact information.
We have the addresses and contacts for the Municipal Government in DeKalb County from the county directory, including Mayor, Fire, Police, Emergency Management, and Public Works departments. We continually update this data in CAMEO.
We have obtained addresses and phone numbers for every known public and private school in DeKalb County. This data will be maintained in CAMEO.
We have obtained address and contact information for every known Nursing Home in DeKalb County. We will also obtain the number of licensed beds at each facility. We are working on mapping this data into CAMEO.
We have obtained addresses for every known Daycare Center and Home in DeKalb County. We are working on entering and mapping this data into CAMEO.
The following parks and recreation departments are in DeKalb County:
The LEPC will continue to identify and collect information on other types of facilities at risk.
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