IEPA Glossary: Key Terms & Definitions for Developers and Consultants

IEPA Key Terms & Definitions

Air Pollution Control: A chapter of the Indiana Environmental Policy Act (IEPA) that establishes air quality standards, permitting requirements for emissions sources, and monitoring and reporting obligations for regulated entities (IC 13-17).

Chapter 1: General Provisions: The first chapter of the IEPA that provides definitions of important terms used throughout the Act and outlines the general purpose and scope of the regulation (IC 13-11).

Chapter 2: Air Pollution Control: See "Air Pollution Control".

Chapter 3: Water Pollution Control: A chapter of the IEPA that sets water quality standards, effluent limitations, and permitting requirements for discharges into water bodies, as well as addresses stormwater management and groundwater protection (IC 13-18).

Chapter 4: Solid and Hazardous Waste Management: A chapter of the IEPA that regulates the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of solid and hazardous waste, establishes permitting requirements for waste management facilities, and sets standards for waste handling and disposal practices (IC 13-20).

Chapter 5: Enforcement and Penalties: A chapter of the IEPA that outlines the enforcement powers of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and the penalties for violating IEPA provisions, including civil and criminal sanctions (IC 13-30).

Enforcement Actions: Actions taken by relevant state agencies, such as notices of violation, administrative orders, and civil and criminal penalties, in response to violations of the IEPA (IC 13-30-4).

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS): A detailed document prepared by state agencies under the IEPA for projects that are likely to have significant environmental effects, which considers alternatives that could minimize or mitigate those effects.

Hazardous Waste: Waste that poses a substantial or potential threat to public health or the environment, as defined and regulated under Chapter 4 of the IEPA (IC 13-20).

IC 13-11: The Indiana Code section that contains Chapter 1 of the IEPA, providing general provisions and definitions.

IC 13-12-4: The primary legal reference for the Indiana Environmental Policy Act, found in Indiana Code Title 13, Article 12, Chapter 4.

IC 13-17: The Indiana Code section that contains Chapter 2 of the IEPA, addressing air pollution control.

IC 13-18: The Indiana Code section that contains Chapter 3 of the IEPA, addressing water pollution control.

IC 13-20: The Indiana Code section that contains Chapter 4 of the IEPA, addressing solid and hazardous waste management.

IC 13-30: The Indiana Code section that contains Chapter 5 of the IEPA, addressing enforcement and penalties.

IDEM (Indiana Department of Environmental Management): The primary state agency responsible for administering and enforcing the IEPA.

IEPA (Indiana Environmental Policy Act): A state-level regulation designed to ensure that state agencies consider the environmental consequences of their actions and decisions, particularly those related to large-scale projects or activities that may have a significant impact on the environment.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Recordkeeping Requirements: Obligations under the IEPA for regulated entities to conduct regular monitoring, maintain accurate records, and submit periodic reports to relevant agencies to ensure compliance with applicable standards and limitations (IC 13-14-4).

Penalties: Sanctions imposed by relevant state agencies for violations of the IEPA, which may include civil and criminal penalties (IC 13-30-4).

Regulated Activities: Activities subject to the provisions of the IEPA, including industrial facilities, agricultural operations, construction projects, waste management facilities, mining operations, and transportation activities.

Regulated Entities: Entities subject to the provisions of the IEPA, such as state agencies, boards, commissions, local governments, and private entities that receive state funding or approval for projects that may have significant environmental impacts.

Solid Waste: Garbage, refuse, sludge, or other discarded material, including solid, liquid, semisolid, or contained gaseous material, as defined and regulated under Chapter 4 of the IEPA (IC 13-20).

State Agencies: Government bodies at the state level that are subject to the provisions of the IEPA, including boards and commissions.

Water Pollution Control: A chapter of the IEPA that sets water quality standards, effluent limitations, and permitting requirements for discharges into water bodies, as well as addresses stormwater management and groundwater protection (IC 13-18).