Underground Storage Tanks (USTs)

The UST Program increases public safety and environmental health by assisting tribal UST facilities with EPA UST regulations, operations, and maintenance. Through onsite UST compliance assistance training, the UST program is designed to assist with leak detection methods and leak prevention methods. The UST Program facilitates communication among tribal UST stakeholders. Our UST Program assists pueblos and tribes with UST systems and related concerns to enhance tribal values, cultures, lands, and health. Through compliance assistance training workshops, and assistance with opening and closing UST facilities, we promote and preserve tribal environments and investments.

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) establishes the authority to regulate USTs. An EPA regulated UST system can be defined as a tank and any underground piping connected to the tank that has at least 10% of its combined volume underground

Why Monitor USTs?

Many pueblos and tribes operate gas stations which provide economic development, jobs, and commodities for the surrounding community. Gas stations have UST systems buried underground, containing large amounts of fuel. Proper operation and maintenance of these UST systems is critical in protecting tribal land and water. There are about 200 USTs on tribal lands in New Mexico, and millions of USTs nationwide. Because USTs are underground, it’s easy to forget about them. However, just one leaked gallon of gasoline can contaminate millions of gallons of drinking water!

What is Compliance Assistance?

Compliance assistance means helping businesses, federal facilities, local governments, and tribes meet their environmental regulatory requirements. To protect the health, safety, and drinking water of the community, USTs are regulated by environmental laws. USTs are operating in compliance when documents are maintained showing tanks, piping, and equipment are properly installed, registered, insured, protected from corrosion, regularly monitored, and tested. Compliance assistance helps regulated communities and businesses to comply with environmental laws. Compliance assistance is provided through on site visits, online resource centers, fact sheets, guides, and training.

We offer assistance with record-keeping, on and off-site training, and informative walk-through visits so your tribal UST facility is prepared for inspections and operating safely. Compliance assistance is most effective when used in an integrated strategy combining compliance monitoring, training, and compliance incentives.

Compliance Monitoring Activities

  • How to maintain compliance with general
    requirements
  • Identifying spill and overfill protection equipment
  • Proper use of release detection equipment
  • When corrosion protection system is necessary
  • Education on reporting and organization of record keeping
  • Proper temporary and permanent tank closure