MDARD Michigan Core Pesticide Applicator Practice Exam

Which agency administers both federal and state hazardous waste regulations?

1. MDNR

2. MDA

3. EPA

4. MIOSHA

The correct answer is: MDNR

The correct response is that the agency responsible for administering both federal and state hazardous waste regulations is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA is a federal agency that sets national standards and regulations regarding hazardous waste management through laws like the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). On the state level, each state, including Michigan, has its own environmental authority that implements and enforces these regulations. In Michigan, this responsibility falls under the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), previously known as the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) in earlier contexts. While MDNR does play a role in environmental protection in Michigan, it is primarily focused on a broader range of natural resource management and environmental preservation rather than specifically administering both federal and state hazardous waste regulations. The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) focuses on agricultural concerns and does not administer hazardous waste regulations. MIOSHA, or the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is involved with workplace safety and health standards, not hazardous waste management. Understanding the specific roles these agencies play highlights the importance of recognizing how regulations are implemented at both federal and state levels and clarifies the correct identification of the primary agency involved in hazardous waste regulation.