Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
DEQ outlines when to report spills, limits of state response and contact info
Summary
Montana DEQ told the Missoula LEPC that spills meeting 40 CFR 302 reportable quantities, petroleum tank releases and any release that could lower groundwater quality should be reported. The agency explained its duty officer role, on-scene coordinator criteria, and that there is no statewide fund for orphan spills.
John Rassman, duty officer coordinator and state on-scene coordinator for the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), told the Local Emergency Planning Committee on Oct. 14 that certain hazardous releases must be reported and that DEQ’s response is constrained by jurisdiction and funding.
DEQ’s reporting line and thresholds are meant to ensure rapid notification and follow-up. “Spills, releases or discharges of hazardous substances in amounts that meet or exceed the reportable quantities in 40 CFR 302” must be reported, Rassman said. He added that suspected releases or overfills from underground storage tanks and petroleum storage tanks carry a 24-hour reporting requirement to preserve eligibility for the petroleum tank cleanup fund.
Why it matters: prompt reporting allows DEQ to notify responsible parties and oversee cleanup. Rassman said the agency depends on the responsible party to perform cleanup and to…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
