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Storage Tank and Spills Management

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Oil Pollution Prevention Act (OPPA) (40 CFR 112) are the primary regulations governing petroleum, oil, and lubricant (POL) storage tanks and spills management. These regulations protect the environment and the nation's navigable waters and natural resources from the potential hazards of a leakage from Aboveground Storage Tanks (AST) and Underground Storage Tanks (UST). Under these regulations, ASTs and USTs must be equipped with secondary containment, cathodic/corrosion protection, leak detection systems, and monitoring systems.

What has the Army done?

  

USAEC's role in promoting environmental compliance for the Army in the area of storage tank and spills management includes:

- Reviewing all RCRA and OPPA rulemakings;
- Preparing Army impact analyses and comments on potential rulemakings;
- Developing tools to assist installations in complying with RCRA requirements such as the "U.S. Army Guide for Underground Storage Tank Management;"
- Working with the Army Environmental Division of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management Installation Services Directorate (ISE) and the Environmental Division of the Installation Management Command (IMCOM) G4-Logistics and Public Works, to develop compliance strategies;
- Tracking the Army's progress on meeting DoD and Army environmental goals;
- Supporting installations when requested;
- Maintaining contact with the EPA to stay informed of current and future initiatives; and
- Representing the Army on DoD committees, along with ISE.
 

Why is this important?

 
The Army's AST and UST program must comply with federal and state requirements and standards to protect public health and the environment. Tanks are required to be equipped with the measures to prevent spills. As owners and operators of tanks, the Army is responsible for performing routine container inspections, keeping records, and maintaining those records in a log for a minimum of three years.

Read more about it:

 
- EPA's Overview of Federal Underground Storage Program
- EPA 40 CFR Part 112 (Oil Pollution Prevention and Response)
- EPA 40 CFR Parts 280, 281, and 282 (Storage Tanks)
- Storage tank and spills management regulations are addressed in Chapter 4 of Army Regulation 200-1, Environmental Protection and Enhancement