News Release 284

EPA WILL AUDIT MISSOURI'S
UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK INSPECTION PROGRAM

Volume 36-284

Contact: Renee Bungart

(For immediate release)

573-751-4465

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, MAY 19, 2008 -- Over the next several months, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7, will audit the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' underground storage tank inspection program.

From May through July, EPA will inspect approximately 80 facilities that were inspected by the department and its contractor in state fiscal year 2008.  EPA will send letters to each facility notifying them of its plans and requesting that each facility have certain records available on-site for inspection. 

EPA will also be auditing the department's compliance and enforcement program as part of its routine oversight of federal environmental programs.  The audit is designed to ensure the state follows technical regulations and program authorization requirements.

Federal and state technical regulations for underground storage tanks are designed to reduce the chance of releases from underground storage tanks, detect leaks and spills when they do occur and secure a prompt cleanup. Underground storage tank owners and operators are responsible for reporting and cleaning up any releases.

EPA delegates oversight of the underground storage tank programs to state government and approves the state regulation and compliance of the program.

For information about Missouri's efforts to deal with underground storage tanks, contact the department's Hazardous Waste Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-3176.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming events, hearings and meetings, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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