FEDERAL CRACKDOWN ON UNDERGROUND TANKS YIELDS
THOUDSANDS OF VIOLATIONS
Boston -- Following a month-long national enforcement sweep, EPA
announced a total of more than 10,050 inspections across the country
aimed at identifying and correcting problems at underground storage tanks.
The agency found 3,192 violations, nationally, during the May initiative. In
New England, 328 inspections were conducted by federal and state
environmental officials, yielding 130 enforcement actions to correct
problems with the underground tanks. By December 1998, all tanks must
meet state and federal laws that require corrosion protection, spill
containment, and overfill protection to safeguard the environment and
public health. Over the past nine years, more than 320,000 leaks have
been confirmed, 60% of which were leaks to groundwater, from
underground storage tanks.
"Only 18 months remain for tank owners to close, replace, or upgrade
leak-prone bare steel tanks," said John P. DeVillars, EPA's New England
administrator. "EPA Administrator Carol Browner announced in May that
the 1998 deadline will not be extended."
The largest case in New England was brought against the town of
Weymouth, Massachusetts, for a number of violations of federal and state
environmental laws on the handling of underground storage tanks. In
September of last year, EPA issued the town a field citation of $300 for
not monitoring one of its underground storage tanks for releases. EPA then
requested additional information about all the tanks owned by Weymouth,
but the town never responded.
Inspectors from EPA's Underground Storage Tank Program visited each
of the town's facilities where there are underground tanks. Numerous
deficiencies were noted that included failing to conduct leak detection,
failing to register an underground tank with the state, failing to install spill
containment and overfill prevention equipment and failing to close a tank
system that has been out of service for longer than six months. Violations
involved 11 tanks at eight facilities, including fire, school, police, and public
works departments.
The town faces a $151, 793 fine for the violations found.
"Our New England communities have an equal if not higher obligation than
private companies to live by the environmental laws of this country," said
DeVillars. "Weymouth, perched within the sensitive groundwater area of
the South Coastal Basin, needs to be vigilant in its efforts to see that their
own actions do not harm the ecosystem. The environmental risks posed by
a leaking underground tank are real. A management program set up ahead
of time, can go far in preventing disaster."
EPA issued 16 field citations during the enforcement sweep which went to
6 state and local agencies, 7 retail stores, a golf course, car dealership,
and construction firm. A list follows:
epa.gov
Colleen I wholeheartedly disagree with you. This business will be even stronger in the future because those who do not meet up to EPA requirements will be fined even more heavily.
I think you should call Jim Crehan at the company and talk to him. His number is in the thread header above. I believe that if you do you will agree with me that business will be booming in 1999 and beyond. After all EVDS can not only put in a new tank if necessary but their Capscan device can save money on insurance and detect a leak before it becomes a serious problem.
Regards, Jeff |
