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Compliance Inspections are conducted by Regulated Storage Tank Division Inspectors to
determine if storage tank facilities are in compliance with state and federal regulations. Inspections of
underground storage tank systems focus on the facility meeting leak detection requirements and other
operational, upgrade or closure requirements as applicable.
Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Investigations are conducted at facilities that
report a suspected or confirmed release. The investigation consists of recording the report in the LUST
database, determining compliance status of the facility, reviewing the facility’s Initial Response to a Release
(IRR) report, requiring and reviewing an Initial Site Characterization (ISC) Report and making a referral (if
necessary) to the Technical Branch for further review or assessment.
Leaking Aboveground Storage Tank (LAST) Investigations are conducted at facilities that
report releases from aboveground storage tanks, ranging in size from 1,320-40,000 gallons, that store a
petroleum product as defined in Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission
Regulation 12 (PDF File).
Compliance with environmental regulations is determined with the technical operational requirements enforced
through the State Fire Marshal’s office. Reporting and tracking requirements for LAST investigations are the
same as for LUST investigations.
Complaint Investigations are conducted on complaints received from the public and the
regulated community concerning all environmental or regulatory aspects of operation of underground storage tank
systems. Should you wish to file a complaint, please complete as much of our
Citizens RST Complaint Form as possible and contact us as shown on
the worksheet.
Technical Assistance is provided to the regulated community (owners, operators, licensed
companies and contractors, testers and individuals), consultants and the general public concerning regulatory
and technical requirements of underground storage tank systems.
Enforcement Case Development is initiated by the inspection staff as an informal
enforcement action in the form of a "Notice of Non-Compliance," "Follow-up Notice of Non-Compliance" and a
referral memorandum to the Enforcement Administrator (after informal efforts prove unsuccessful.) Formal
enforcement actions are handled by the Enforcement Administrator and include "Warning Letters," "Compliance
Meetings," "Consent Administrative Orders," "Notices of Violation," "Emergency Orders" and "Default
Administrative Orders."
Emergency Response is conducted for regulated storage tank systems when spills,
overfills or releases warrant this type of response. Inspectors are also on 24-hr. emergency response rotations
to respond to spills, releases or upset conditions after hours in order to monitor the necessity and adequacy of
a response by the spiller. |
