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  • Secondary containment for oil-filled operation equipment under SPCC

    On December 26, 2006, EPA provided an optional alternative to the general secondary containment requirements in 40 CFR §112.7(c) for qualified oil-filled operational equipment ( 71 FR 77266 ). Because the alternative is optional, an owner or operator could choose to comply with the existing SPCC requirements to provide general…

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  • Do settlement communications, such as past “agreements in principle,” impact the implementation of the final Consent Decrees?

    The parties are bound by the terms of the various final, publicly available consent decrees. These consent decrees were made available for public comment before they were finalized and entered by the Court. Past settlement communications and documents created in the course of settlement discussions have been incorporated (or not)…

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  • What is the Confidentiality Order?

    The Confidentiality Order (Order) is a court order entered by the Federal District Court for the District of Montana (Court) on August 8, 2002, and amended by the Court on December 31, 2003, that applies to Superfund settlement negotiations in the Clark Fork River Basin, including the following sites: Silver…

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  • How does EPA ensure that the potentially responsible parties complete their work?

    All cleanup activities performed by the PRPs are subject to enforcement instruments (i.e., consent decrees or administrative orders) that provide for EPA approval of all deliverables and oversight of all work performed by the PRPs.

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  • Is my home unsafe if it contains lead-based paint?

    Answer: Approximately three-quarters of the nation’s housing built before 1978 contains some lead-based paint. This paint, if properly managed and maintained, poses little risk. If allowed to deteriorate, lead from paint can threaten the health of occupants, especially children under six years old. If families and building owners are aware…

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  • Can the inspection/risk assessment period for testing a house for lead be waived?

    Answer: Yes. The inspection or risk assessment period can be lengthened, shortened, or waived by mutual written consent between the purchaser and the seller. Question Number: 23002-33224 Find a printable PDF copy of all frequent questions pertaining to lead .

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  • As a seller and lessor, what if I'm selling target housing?

    Answer: Property owners who sell target housing must: Disclose all known lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards in the housing and any available reports on lead in the housing; Give buyers the EPA pamphlet "Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home"; Include certain warning language in the contract as…

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  • What if the lessor knows that there is no lead-based paint in my rental housing?

    Answer: If your rental housing has been found to be free of lead-based paint by a certified inspector, the Real Estate Notification and Disclosure Rule does not apply. Question Number: 23002-33220 Find a printable PDF copy of all frequent questions pertaining to lead .

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  • What if the buyers/renters don't speak English?

    Answer: In cases where the buyer or renter signed a purchase or lease agreement in a language other than English, the rule requires that the disclosure language be provided in the alternate language. " Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home " in English. Protect Your Family From Lead…

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  • Will regulated entities have to perform retroactive requirements based off of the November 12, 2024 final rule entitled “Reconsideration of the Dust-Lead Hazard Standards and Dust-Lead Post-Abatement Clearance Levels” (89 FR 89416)?

    Answer: No. The November 12, 2024 final rule entitled “Reconsideration of the Dust-Lead Hazard Standards and Dust-Lead Post-Abatement Clearance Levels” (89 FR 89416) does not impose retroactive requirements to regulated entities that have previously complied with the Disclosure Rule. In accordance with 40 CFR 745.107, a seller or lessor generally…

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  • SPCC requirements for transfer areas associated with exempt USTs

    Gas stations typically are not subject to the SPCC Rule because completely buried storage tanks subject to 40 CFR Part 280 or 281 are exempt per §112.1(d)(4). However, a gas station would be subject to the SPCC Rule if it has more than 1,320 gallons of oil in aggregate above…

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  • Do the changes in the 2006 Amendments apply to oil-filled manufacturing equipment?

    No. The amendment does not change any requirements for oil-filled manufacturing equipment. Oil-filled manufacturing equipment remains subject to the SPCC requirements (including those for containment), but an owner/operator may determine that secondary containment is impracticable and comply with the alternative measures in section 112.7(d).

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  • What is an oil spill contingency plan?

    Instead of providing secondary containment for qualified oil-filled operational equipment, an owner or operator may prepare an oil spill contingency plan and a written commitment of manpower, equipment, and materials to quickly control and remove discharged oil. He/she must also have an inspection or monitoring program for the equipment to…

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  • Secondary containment requirements for mobile refuelers

    What secondary containment requirements apply to mobile refuelers? General secondary containment requirements in §112.7(c) still apply to mobile refuelers at SPCC regulated facilities. General secondary containment should be designed to address the most likely discharge from the container and from oil transfers into or from the mobile refueler. The general…

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  • Can you explain who has authority over the active mine vs the Superfund site?

    The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has regulatory authority over the active mine. EPA is the lead agency for the Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site and works in consultation with MDEQ to ensure the cleanup of the Site.

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