Section 40-0111. Corrective actions and reporting  


Latest version.
  • 1.  Where a release of any hazardous substance is suspected or appears
      probable, the department may order the  owner  to  inspect  any  storage
      facility,  location  and/or  associated  equipment  suspected  to be the
      source  of  the  release  and  to  test  for  tightness  and  structural
      soundness.  If  the owner fails to conduct such tests within ten days of
      notification of such an order the department may conduct such tests. The
      reasonable expenses of conducting such tests incurred by the  department
      shall be paid by the owner.
        2.  It  shall  be  unlawful  to continue operation of any tank where a
      continuing release to the environment is occurring. The contents of such
      a tank shall be promptly removed  to  a  secure  storage  location.  The
      department  may  prohibit deliveries of hazardous substances to any tank
      (i) that is leaking or (ii) where a leak appears probable. If the source
      of the leak or a probable leak cannot be determined, the department  may
      prohibit deliveries to any tank or tanks that may be the probable source
      of  a  leak  until such time as the source has been identified, at which
      time the prohibition on delivery will  apply  to  the  leaking  tank  or
      tanks.  In addition, the department may prohibit deliveries of hazardous
      substances  to  any  tank  that  is  in  violation  of  any  requirement
      prescribed by regulation pursuant to this title related to:
        a.  installing  required  equipment  for  spill  prevention,  overfill
      protection,  leak   detection,   corrosion   protection   or   secondary
      containment;
        b. performing leak detection or inspections of tank systems;
        c. properly operating or maintaining leak detection; or
        d.  properly  operating  or  maintaining  spill, overfill or corrosion
      protection equipment.
        (i) The department shall attach a tag to the tank or tanks to identify
      those tanks to which delivery is prohibited and provide a written notice
      to the owner and operator specifying the reasons for the prohibition  of
      delivery.
        (ii)  As  promptly as possible thereafter, not to exceed fifteen days,
      the commissioner shall provide the owner or operator an  opportunity  to
      be  heard and to present proof that such conditions or activity does not
      violate the provisions of this section or of the  rules  or  regulations
      adopted  pursuant  to this title. The commissioner shall adopt rules and
      regulations describing the procedure to be followed in  the  prohibition
      of   hazardous   substance   deliveries.  In  adopting  such  rules  and
      regulations the department shall allow for the owner or operator at  any
      time  to  submit  information  to the department to demonstrate that the
      owner or  operator  is  in  compliance  with  the  requirements  or  has
      corrected  the  violation  that  prompted  the  department  to  prohibit
      deliveries of hazardous substances and to allow the tank or tanks to be,
      as promptly as possible, brought back into operation, not to exceed  two
      business  days  from  the  department's  determination that a tank is in
      compliance.  The  department  shall  use  its  best  efforts  to  timely
      determine compliance.
        (iii)  Unless  otherwise authorized by the department, no person shall
      tamper with or remove, or cause the tampering with or removal of, a  tag
      attached to any tank under the provisions of this subdivision.
        (iv)  No  person  shall  deliver,  cause  the delivery of, deposit, or
      accept a hazardous substance to any tank or tanks  to  which  a  tag  is
      affixed pursuant to this subdivision.
        3.  Any  person  who  is  the  owner  of, or in actual or constructive
      possession or control of, a hazardous substance, as defined  in  section
      40-0105 of this article, or any employee or agent thereof, or any person
      in  a  contractual relationship therewith who inspects, tests or repairs
    
      any portion of the facility which was or is  used  for  the  storage  of
      hazardous substances, shall promptly notify the department as soon as he
      has  knowledge  of  the  release of a reportable quantity of a hazardous
      substance into the environment.