Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and what are it's primary responsibilities?

The LEPC is a product of federal legislation passed in the wake of the Bhopal disaster in India, where thousands of people died because of an accident involving hazardous chemicals. To prevent similar occurrences in our communities, Congress pass ed the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), also known as Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA), in 1986. Congress enacted the EPCRA regulations to benefit communities. Two of the main goals of this law are to:

• Provide a basis for each community to develop and tailor a chemical emergency planning and response program to suit the community’s needs, and
• Provide the public with a right-to-know attitude to identify, quantify, locate, and determine the physical and chemical properties of hazardous substances in the community.

For more information, please refer to the Region 6 LEPC Handbook -- May, 2004.

Who should I contact in the event of an emergency?

There are several different contacts depending on the type of emergency, below is some helpful contact information:

• Local Fire Chief and Emergency contact numbers.
• Local Emergency Telephone List
• San Miguel County Government Offices Telephone List
• New Mexico State Police Search and Rescue Office: (505) 454-3409

Who are the members of the LEPC?

The membership comes from the local area and should be familiar with factors that affect public safety, the environment, and the economy of the community. That expertise is essential as the LEPC advises the writers of the local emergency management plan, so that the plan is tailored to the needs of the planning district. For more information, please refer to the Region 6 LEPC Handbook -- May, 2004.

Does the LEPC have appointed Officers?

The LEPC is required to appoint a Chairperson and may appoint a vice-Chairperson and other officers. For more information, please refer to the Region 6 LEPC Handbook -- May, 2004.