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W"r <br />r_t. <br />I • <br />I; <br />D <br />Ivr. <br />b' <br />z' <br />fVIi111 u '‘,OIci’s <br />Leaks from petroleum and <br />chemical storage unks are a <br />serious health and <br />iSloinqf^ Ttink <br />^^PioqiMin ^ <br />environmental problem <br />throughout the U5. Uncorrected leaks <br />have caused fires and explosions when vapors <br />from gasoline and other petroleum products have <br />entered sewers and basements. Qty and private <br />water supplies have been contaminated, too. <br />when petroleum products leaked from nearby <br />tanks. With an estimated three to five million <br />underground tanks and one to two million <br />aboveground tanks hi this country, we will face <br />problems caused by leaking storage tanks far into <br />the future. <br />Owners should also submit forms <br />for any tanks that have not yet <br />en reported. CDiese regtUations <br />lave been in place for underground <br />storage bmtcs 1985. and became <br />effective for atov^rround stoiage tanks in 1989). <br />The igency pro via forms for this purpose. <br />Reported tanks are placed on the hffGV's <br />underground and aboveground tank inventories. <br />Septic tanks, most underground petroleum <br />storage tanks smaller than 1.100 gallons, and <br />some p'oeline facilities are not covered * *hi$ <br />requireu.ent. <br />The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency <br />(MPCA) estimates that there are more than 40,000 <br />above- and below-ground storage tanks in <br />k^tuiMoti. To prevent, control and clean up tank <br />Inks In the state, the MPCA regulates tank <br />Installation and maintanance. and has access to <br />•tan and federal funds to perform cleanups. <br />Minnesota also has a program to reimburse <br />qualtfyin; wners and operators for part of their <br />cleanup costs. <br />Underground Tanks: <br />Federal regulations require that the MPCA be <br />notified of any tank removals 30 days in advance. <br />For any underground tanks taken out of service <br />after 1973. report to the MPCA the date the tanks <br />were taken out of service, the infonnation listed <br />under the first requirement, and the type and <br />quantity of substances remaining in the tank, if <br />any. New federal regulations also require tank <br />owner, to evaluate the excavation site to <br />determine if there has been any leakage from the <br />tank. <br />GENERAL REPORTING AND <br />PERMIT REQUIREMENTS <br />Genenl repotting requirements for all tank <br />owners art summarUed below. Specific fact <br />sheeta on technical standards and rules for <br />storagt tanks are also available from the MPCA. <br />ALL TANK OWNERS MUST: <br />Repott certain infonnation to the MPCA such as <br />tankage, size and contents within 30 days after <br />installation of a new tank, or within 30 days after <br />any changes in tank ownership, use or contents. <br />Aboveground Tanks: <br />All new and existing aboveground liquid storage <br />tanks must have permits (this includes any indoor <br />taiUcs that potentially could leak product beyond <br />the building). Any permit exemptions for tank <br />size or location are determined on a cas#*by-case <br />basis. To obtain a permit, an aboveground tank <br />must meet several criteria: the area surrounding <br />the tank must be diked to retain leaked liquid; the <br />area under the tank must be reasonably <br />impervious to spills; and the tank owner must <br />have a spill prevention plan filed with the MPCA. <br />The MPCA will be reviewing permit rules this <br />year to determine what modifications are needed. <br />■. vv