(Cal EPA hears County appeal)…The hearing was held in the County Board of Supervisors Chambers.

The County filed the appeal after the California Environmental Protection Agency denied the County Fire Departments application to become the local CUPA, the Certified Unified Program Agency. Imperial County is one of only two California Counties not to serve as their own CUPA. The CUPA oversees regulatory issues related to hazardous waste and underground storage tanks in businesses throughout Imperial County. County Fire Chief Alfredo Estrada told the hearing it only makes since that his department be named the CUPA, since they already do many of the tasks and respond to all the calls. County Supervisor Ryan Kelley, Chairman of the County Supervisors, said keeping the CUPA local would benefit local businesses. Currently the Department of Toxic Substance Control under the Cal EPA regulates the Imperial County.