Development of a DRAFT Low-Threat UST Closure Policy

Underground Storage Tank (UST) Program

Development of a Draft Low-Threat Underground Storage Tank Case Closure Policy

A Draft Low-Threat Underground Storage Tank (UST) Case Closure Policy (Policy) has been developed by a stakeholder group for consideration by the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board). The purpose of the proposed Policy is to establish consistent statewide case closure criteria for low-threat petroleum UST sites. The proposed Policy is intended to provide direction to responsible parties, their service providers, and regulatory agencies. The proposed Policy seeks to increase UST cleanup process efficiency. A benefit of improved efficiency is the preservation of limited resources for mitigation of releases posing a greater threat to human and environmental health.

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Adoption Hearing

The State Water Board will consider adoption of a proposed Resolution to approve a Substitute Environmental Document and adopt a proposed Water Quality Control Policy for Low-Threat Underground Storage Tank Case Closure. The location and time of the meeting are provided below.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012, at 9 a.m.
Joe Serna Jr.-Cal/EPA Headquarters Building
Coastal Hearing Room
1001 I Street, 2nd Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

Public Hearing

The State Water Board conducted a Public Hearing for the receipt of oral comments on a Draft Policy and Draft SED on Tuesday, April 17, 2012. No Board action was taken.

Revised Notice | Notice
Low-Threat Underground Storage Tank Case Closure Policy - 1/31/12
Draft Substitute Environmental Document

The public comment period for both the Draft Policy and Draft SED ended March 19, 2012

See Comments

CEQA Scoping

The adoption of policies for water quality control has been certified as an exempt regulatory program under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

The State Water Board held public scoping meetings to gather input from public agencies and interested persons on the scope and content of the environmental documentation to be prepared for this project.

The public comment period ended November 8, 2011.

Low-Threat UST Closure Policy Scoping Document
Draft Low Threat UST Closure Policy
Notice of Public Meetings
Comments Received During Scoping Document Comment Period (9/21/2011 – 11/8/2011)

Peer Review

Health and Safety Code Section 57004, requires all Cal/EPA organizations to submit for external scientific review the scientific basis and scientific portion of all proposed policies, plans and regulations. The peer reviewer’s responsibility is to determine whether the scientific findings, conclusions, and assumptions are based upon sound scientific knowledge, methods, and practices. Go to the State Water Board’s Peer Review web page.

Policy Stakeholder Group

The Draft Low Threat UST Closure Policy was developed by a group of nine individuals from several different California UST stakeholder groups including two Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) agencies, a Local Oversight Program (LOP) agency, a water district, responsible party (RP) representatives from the Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) and California Independent Oil Marketers Association (CIOMA), two participants from Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), and one UST consultant.

Regulatory Outreach Proposed Petroleum Low-Threat Closure Policy

Outreach Meetings

Documents Developed by the UST Stakeholder Group

Draft Low Threat UST Closure Policy - Final 7/14/11
Technical Justification for Direct Contact - Final 7/16/11
Technical Justification for Groundwater Plume Lengths, etc - Final 7/12/11
Technical Justification for VI Pathway - Final 6/30/11