An Introduction to wSTARS

Overview• wSTARS--What is it? How is it used and maintained?

•How does it benefit tribes?

•How to get your data into the system

•System walk through

•Questions

What is wSTARS? web-based Sanitation Tracking and Reporting

System IHS database Internet database that stores and tracks information

on sanitation facilities projects Confidential and secure database

What is wSTARS used for? IHS uses the data to track and prioritize projects

and needs related to sanitation of all media types--water, wastewater, solid waste

EPA uses wSTARS to store and track dump data

EPA’s Role EPA collects and inputs data into the wSTARS

system National Open Dump Inventory

Since 2007Current national total 3,000+

Report to Congress

How does wSTARS benefit tribes? Means of getting your data into part of the national

picture

Beginning of process to request funding for clean ups

wSTARS and SDS wSTARS has 6 sub-systems for tracking and

reporting dataOnly one we are interested in today -SDSSanitation Deficiency System documents information about sanitation deficiencies

related to AI/AN individual homes and communities

How the SDS works Contains variety of media projects Once a project is in the system it is assigned a

score or deficiency ranking Scores are assigned by IHS via national guidelines Projects are selected for funding based on

deficiency ranking every FY

How the SDS works… Projects can be assigned a deficiency value 1-5 Solid waste projects cap at 3 Open dump cleanups can earn high rankings

Contain hazardous materialsOnly option for disposal in the communityCan use discretionary points to up ranking

Projects are rescored every year, priority list not a waiting list

Getting your data in the system… wSTARS

Get your information to EPA Regional wSTARS contact

SDS contact your IHS area reservation engineer

Information for wSTARS What is an open dump?

Any facility or site where solid waste is disposed of which is not a sanitary landfill which meets the criteria promulgated under section 6944 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act 42 U.S.C 6941 and which is not a facility for disposal of hazardous waste. --Open Dump Cleanup Act 1994

Open Dump Inventory Form One form per dump site!

Open Dump Inventory Form Field Guide

Facility Name: _____________________________________________________________________________________________

Community: _______________________________________ Tribe: _________________________________________________

State: ______________________County: __________________________________ EPA ID (if any) _______________________

Lat/Long: N_____________________________________(Decimal) W_____________________________________ (Decimal)

Land Status: ___AK Native Land ___Allotted ___Fee ___NM Pueblos ___Private ___Trust (Individual) ___Trust (Tribal)

Solid Waste Inventory Form

Solid Waste Inventory FormSolid Waste System Type (check one) Condition (check one)

___Solid Waste Disposal Site ___Open Dump-Buried ___Open Dump-Surface

___Closed ___Cleaned up ___Upgraded ___Properly Managed

___Collection System with Off-Reservation Disposal ___Open Dump-Surface ___Properly Managed ___Needs Improve

___Transfer Site ___Open Dump-Surface ___Cleaned up ___Properly Managed

___Transfer Site with Off-Reservation Disposal ___Open Dump-Surface ___Cleaned up ___Properly Managed

___Recycling facility ___Open Dump-Surface ___Cleaned up ___Properly Managed

___Construction and Demolition Debris Landfill ___Open Dump-Buried ___Open Dump-Surface

___Closed ___Cleaned up ___Properly Managed

System Status: ___Active ___Inactive

Site Characteristics

1.Surface Area (Acres) _______________Acres

2.Surface Volume (Cubic Yards) ______________yd3

Hazard Factors (check all that apply)1.Contents___Abandoned automobiles ___Abandoned trailers ___Animal carcasses ___Appliances/white goods ___Construction and demolition waste ___Drums/containers of unknowns/pesticide containers ___Electronics___Florescent light bulbs ___Furniture ___Lead acid batteries ___Medical wastes ___Meth-lab wastes ___Municipal solid waste ___Scrap tires ___Sewage sludge/septic-tank pumpings ___Suspected asbestos or lead containing materials___Suspected RCRA Subtitle C hazardous wastes (treated wood, paints, solvents) ___Waste oil/oily wastes ___Yard/green wastes

1.Rainfall (check one)___Low (<10 in/yr)___Medium (10-25 in/yr)___High (>25 in/yr)

2.Site Drainage and Leachate Potential (check one)___Site drainage protects ground or surface water___Limited ponding, drainage effects largely neutral___Site drainage increases ground or surface water contamination 3.Flooding Potential (check one)___No potential for flooding___Debris movement from flooding unlikely ___Debris movement from flooding likely 4.Frequency of Cover (check one)___Daily ___Monthly ___Never___Weekly ___Yearly

Open Dump Inventory Form

Hazard Factors (continued)

1.Frequency of Burning (check one)___Burning does not occur ___Burning less frequently than weekly___Burning more frequently than weekly

2.Fenced site ___Yes___No

3.Controlled Access (check one)___Effectively controlled access___Ineffective controls or poorly restricted access___Unrestricted access

4.Public Concern (check one)___No concern voiced___Little concern voiced by the public___Concern frequently voiced by the public

Proximity Factors

1.Vertical Distance to Drinking Water Aquifer (check one)___Greater than 600 feet___51-599 feet___Less than 50 feet

2.Horizontal Distance to Surface Water Bodies (check one)___Greater than 1,000 feet___51-1,000 feet___Less than 50 feet

3.Distance to Homes (check one)___Greater than 5,000 feet___1,000-5,000 feet___Less than 1,000 feet

Open Dump Inventory Form

General Description (include description of how to get to the site from a known location)

Comments

Surveyor:__________________________________________________________InventoryDate:________________________(First Name, Last Name, Organization) (mm/dd/yy)

Tips For Inventory Forms Lat/Longs

Should be in decimal form but Degrees, Minutes, Seconds can be converted easily.

Most GPS units will calculate an area for you when walking the perimeter of the site.

Calculating Area/Volume: 1 acre is approximately the size of a football field without the

end zones. Dump Truck ~ 10 cy and Semi trailer ~ 100 cy

Tips for Inventory Forms-Use free internet tools/maps to help determine proximity

factors.

-Answer every question.

-Take time to include information on how to get to the site – under general description.

-Great work for summer help!!!

wSTARS online https://wstars.ihs.gov/

Minimum Requirements:Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or higherAdobe Flash Player 9.0 or higher

Questions?

Becky Geyer, US EPA Region 5312-353-8314

geyer.rebecca@epa.gov

Scott Snell, IHS Bemidji 218-444-0502

Scott.snell@ihs.gov