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About US
Our Mission
"The Ground Water
Protection Council is a national association of state ground
water and underground injection control agencies whose mission
is to promote the protection and conservation of ground water
resources for all beneficial uses, recognizing ground water as a
critical component of the ecosystem."
“The
Ground Water Protection Council provides a forum for stakeholder
communication and research in order to improve governments’ role in the
protection and conservation of ground water.”
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Organizational
Description
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The Ground Water Protection Council (GWPC) is
a nonprofit (501(c)6) organization whose members consist of state ground water
regulatory agencies which come together
within the GWPC organization to mutually work toward the protection of
the nation’s ground water supplies. The purpose of the GWPC is to
promote and ensure the use of best management practices and fair but
effective laws regarding comprehensive ground water protection.
We work with people who have
a stake in ground water protection - citizens, federal, state
and local government officials, environmentalists, various industries
and members of
congress to pose questions and search for answers that are both
practically and politically feasible.
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How GWPC Works
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The
Ground Water Protection Council (GWPC) is one of the most effective national
organizations for the protection, conservation and management of ground
water resources. GWPC members are the state officials who set
and enforce regulations on ground water protection and underground
injection. |
in return, |
Members gain satisfaction in
knowing they are a part of developing workable solutions to help ensure
local ground water protection. Additionally, members receive research
support, expert opinion and public outreach materials through the
organization's meetings, seminars, symposia, workshops and publications.
Also, each member of GWPC can know first- hand how others feel about certain
issues and how it could affect their state agency |
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History
of the GWPC
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The Ground Water Protection Council (GWPC) was incorporated
as a nonprofit national association, headquartered in the State of Oklahoma, in
November, 1983. It was initially incorporated by five states who wanted to form
an organization that would serve as a forum to bring together technical and
regulatory experts to discuss underground injection control (UIC) issues and
overall ground water protection. The founders also sought to develop a strong
public outreach/education program to inform the public about the safety of the
national UIC program and to develop information that could be used by the states
to enhance this effort. Since then the Board of Directors have enhanced GWPC’s
overall commitment to broader ground water issues as a recognition that the UIC
program is one piece of a much larger effort to effectively protect ground water
as an essential component of the ecosystem.
The GWPC is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of
senior state agency managers representing the states in each of the USEPA’s
ten regions. Board members are elected by their peers. The GWPC core members
include representatives of state regulatory agencies responsible for ground
water protection and underground injection activity. The purpose of the GWPC is to promote the safest methods and most
effective regulations regarding comprehensive ground water protection procedures
and underground injection techniques. The Ground Water
Research and Education Foundation (GWREF), provides independent research and review
of ground water and related matters in an effort to improve technologies and
assist State regulatory agencies in waste disposal. GWPC and the
Foundation have been credited with carrying out many successful projects that
have had significant outcomes regarding best management practices and fair but
effective laws regarding comprehensive ground water protection.
The GWPC was founded upon a sound principal from which it has never wavered.
It has matured into a respected national association of state ground water and
UIC agencies. Along the way, GWPC has had a significant impact in affecting
national policy in underground injection and ground water protection.
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Supporters
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While GWPC
membership is limited to state agencies, we encourage public
participation in our meetings, divisions and committees. This
insures that state agency members receive feedback from a wide
range of public stakeholders on issues affecting ground water regulation
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Injection Wells
The USEPA has said that underground injection "reduces human
exposure to organic and inorganic chemicals and heavy metals by removing
them from the environment."
The Ground Water Protection Council believes that
the ongoing goal to improve the environment through source reduction,
recycling and other waste management improvements is of utmost importance.
Deep well injection of hazardous and non-hazardous waste, however, plays a
crucial role in providing a safe and effective alternative method for
disposal of residual liquid wastes, especially those that would pose the
greatest risks if disposed of by another method.
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GWPC’s Direct Involvement with UIC Issues:
1) Mitigated parts of the Land Ban which would have banned all deep
well disposal of hazardous waste in 1988
2) Determined difference between significant and non-significant
compliance for Class I & II wells
3) Provided leadership in definition of wastes eligible for disposal in
Class I & II wells
4) Conducted a national survey on the effects of hydraulic fracturing
on ground water quality |
How the GWPC Uses Support
Support provides GWPC with the means to conduct independent
technical and policy studies that can be used to ensure that "sound
science" is applied in national rule making that effects state and
federal ground water and underground injection programs.
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Benefits of GWPC Support
As a supporter of the GWPC you meet and communicate with
representatives of the state and federal agencies that administer
regulations. As a supporter of GWPC your input is welcomed as
we consider technical issues, rules, and legislation affecting the
national UIC programs. You also have access to GWPC’S
extensive library containing one of the most comprehensive
bibliographies of underground injection topics. |
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Supporter
Application
For more information contact the GWPC Support
Coordinator,
Len Erikson.
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