California s Abandoned UST Initiative

Transcription

1 California s Abandoned UST Initiative Laura Fisher, Chief UST Leak Prevention Unit and Office of Tank Tester Licensing California Water Resources Board National Tanks Conference Phoenix, AZ September 15, 2015

2 Presentation Overview Background on Initiative Resources and Tools Developed Initiative s Accomplishments Next Phases of the Initiative

3 Background on Initiative Abandoned UST Definition: USTs are considered abandoned when regulated substances are no longer stored and/or monitoring requirements of the operating permit are not being implemented, including maintenance of the UST system. USTs that are out-of-service (temporarily) abandoned for more than 12 months must be removed or permanently closed in place.

4 Background on Initiative 2011 to 2013: UST Cleanup Partnership in Los Angeles County, known as the I-710 Corridor Initiative 82 Abandoned UST sites discovered in Los Angeles County, in limbo between prevention and cleanup side Partnership helped bring 46 sites into compliance in Los Angeles County Needed to develop a strategy for identifying Abandoned USTs and reaching out to owners

5 Background on Initiative Goals of the Initiative: Achieve compliance at Abandoned UST sites statewide. Determine whether abandoned USTs still contain product, and remove any product present.

6 Background on Initiative 2013 to 2015: Compiled inventory of 342 sites with improperly abandoned USTs in California Developed tools and resources with local regulatory agencies to address backlog of Abandoned UST sites, including: Case management techniques Technical and funding option guidance Free one-on-one consultation

7 Resources and Tools Developed Developed case management techniques: Detailed property owner/rp searches Created standard directives templates Notice of Non-Compliance Issued for 191 sites Notice of Violation 133 sites Courtesy Letter 124 sites Right-of-Entry 25 sites signed Tracked shipment 129 notices reissued

8 Resources and Tools Developed Developed case management techniques: Tracked notice deadlines and communication with owners, and tailored approach based on responses. OWNER COOPERATION CATEGORY: OUT OF COMPLIANCE ABANDONED UST SITES Owners Have Not Responded 18% Compliance in Progress 21% Owners Claim USTs Properly Closed 5% Owners Not Accepting Responsibility 20% Owners Claim Financial Hardship 36%

9 Resources and Tools Developed Developed case management techniques: Created Abandoned UST Site type Regulator access only Allows regulator to manage sites as they would other cleanup sites Tool to track correspondence and case notes Export data to track progress of the Initiative

10 Resources and Tools Developed Technical and funding option guidance: While tracking mailed directives, outreach to owners was conducted with phone calls, personal visits, and meetings. Tools developed to obtain site specific and owner information in order to tailor suggested approach based on owner responses. Phone Call Script Questionnaire

11 Resources and Tools Developed Technical and funding option guidance:

12 Resources and Tools Developed Technical and funding option guidance: Guidance package prepared for owners claiming financial hardship with step-by-step instructions. Removing, Replacing, and Upgrading Underground Storage Tank (RUST) Loan & Grant Program Orphan Site Cleanup Fund (OSCF) Emergency, Abandoned, and Recalcitrant (EAR) Account Program U.S. EPA s Targeted Brownfields Assessment (TBA) Program

13 Resources and Tools Developed Tank Removal Workshop for Property Owners Los Angeles, December 2014

14 Initiative s Accomplishments Fresno site tank removed through EPA s TBA Program

15 Initiative s Accomplishments Obtained compliance at 60% of the 342 Abandoned UST sites. Removed or closed 159 USTs at 70 sites.

16 Next Phases of the Initiative UST Gauge & Pump Pilot Program in Kern County & San Bernardino County Sites with product or unknown product status Expanding assistance with gauging and pumping tanks in partnership with local agencies across California Local enforcement/office hearings Develop strategy for addressing sites with empty tanks

17 Questions? Laura S Fisher Chief of UST Leak Prevention Unit and Office of Tank Tester Licensing California State Water Resources Control Board Phone: laura.fisher@waterboards.ca.gov More information on California s Abandoned UST Initiative: abandoned_storage.shtml