County Commissioner White Appointed to Emergency Planning Commission by Governor Ritter

Durango, CO – La Plata County Commissioner Wally White was recently appointed by Governor Ritter to serve a two-year term as a local government representative to the State of Colorado Emergency Planning Commission (CEPC).  This Commission was created in response to the Federal Superfund and Reauthorization Act (SARA/Title III) that includes the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know provisions that was enacted in October 1986. This legislation was in response to several severe hazardous materials incidents world-wide. It put in place several protection measures regarding hazardous materials incidents. 

The purpose of the CEPC includes increasing public knowledge and access to information on hazardous chemicals present in communities; and helping communities meet their responsibilities in preparing to handle chemical emergencies by designing local emergency planning districts, appointing a Local Emergency Planning Committee for each district and reviewing local emergency response plans.

The CEPC consists of twelve-members:  five are from State government (two from the Department of Local Affairs, two from the Department of Public Safety and one from the Department of Public Health and Environment); and the remaining seven members are appointed by the Governor (two from local government, two from community/public interest groups, two from affected private industry and one representing a local emergency planning committee).

Commissioner White has been a La Plata County resident since 1979; and prior to his being elected as District 3 Commissioner in 2004, he served on several local committees including the County’s Planning Commission and Predator Control Committee.  He has an extensive background in livestock management, having been an owner, operator and manager of llama and alpaca breeding farms for over 20 years.  He has held several leadership positions in this field, and is a former member of the Board of Directors of the International Llama Association and the Rocky Mountain Llama and Alpaca Association.  As Commissioner, he was appointed by the Secretary of the Interior in 2008 to serve on the Bureau of Land Management’s Southwest Resource Advisory Council.  Commissioner White also serves as the Chair of the CCI Land Use and Natural Resources Steering Committee and was elected to serve on the CCI Public Lands Committee.

“I’m honored to have received this appointment from Governor Ritter,” said Commissioner White.  “The use of toxic chemicals in the environment has always been a big concern to me and I am looking forward to taking an active role on the CEPC to help improve chemical safety and protect public health and the environment.  I believe increasing public knowledge and improving access to information on hazardous chemicals in the community is vital to our health and welfare.  Serving on this Board allows for more opportunities to have our local voices heard.”