| DEP ISSUES
PENALTIES FOR UNDERGROUND STORAGE
TANK VIOLATIONS IN ATLANTIC AND CAPE MAY COUNTIES
(05/33) TRENTON - Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell today
announced that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
fined six facilities in Atlantic and Cape May counties for violating
state hazardous materials storage law. The facilities, which include
commercial gas retailers, a bus service and a fuel provider, failed
to comply with regulations pertaining to underground storage tanks.
"Proper underground storage tank insurance, registration
and monitoring are key to the protection of water quality and
public health," said Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell. "These
enforcement actions should put tank owners on notice: DEP will
hold accountable those who jeopardize New Jersey's natural resources."
The Atlantic and Cape May County enforcement actions are part
of a statewide compliance inspection program to prevent pollution
by reducing the number of leaking underground storage tanks. DEP
is establishing a group of 18 state and county inspectors to conduct
compliance inspections every three years at each of the 8,000
facilities statewide that contain regulated underground storage
tanks.
Owners and operators of underground storage tanks also must register
their tank systems with DEP on a three-year cycle. Testing and
cleanup work is underway by responsible parties at more than 4,000
sites statewide where underground storage tanks have leaked resulting
in soil or ground water contamination.
Failure to register tanks inhibits DEP's ability to regulate
underground storage, prevent pollution and reduce leaks and contamination.
Route 47 Citgo in Wildwood was fined $15,000 for maintaining
a disabled and inoperable overfill device. Additional violations
noted include failing to properly insure and register its underground
storage tank (UST) system, mark its fuel filling areas, perform
requisite leak detector tests and provide a leak response plan.
Overfill devices prevent USTs from overflowing while being filled.
DEP monitors also detected motor fuel contamination in groundwater
at the tank field. Route 47 Citgo also must investigate and document
the site's possible contamination.
First Student, a commercial bus service in Galloway Township,
was fined $15,000 for failing to register USTs. Additional violations
noted include failing to mark fill ports and test its corrosion
and leak protection systems and inspect and clean sumps, spill
buckets and catch basins.
DEP imposed a delivery ban and fined Ocean View Service Station
in Dennis Township $30,000 for failing to register its USTs and
failing to provide leak detection.
DEP also imposed a delivery ban and penalties of $45,000 at Cedar
Lane Gulf Station in Dennis Township for failing to register USTs
and provide release detection and corrosion protection.
DEP imposed a delivery ban and $45,000 fine upon Egg Harbor Gas
and Go for failing to properly register, insure and provide release
detection for its underground storage tanks. Additional violations
noted include failing to inspect and clean sumps and catchment
basins and failing to provide a release response plan. DEP staff
also detected a gasoline leak at Egg Harbor Gas and Go.
Pedroni Fuel Company of Buena was fined $45,000 for delivering
fuel to unregistered and suspected leaking USTs at Ocean View
Service Station and improperly registered USTs at Cedar Lane Gulf
Station.
DEP provides compliance assistance to owners and operators of
facilities with underground storage tank systems. State and federal
laws require all owners and operators to maintain leak detection,
corrosion and overfill prevention and other measures to prevent
tank leaks. DEP also will track all inspections and enforcement
actions taken when responsible parties fail to comply with relevant
laws.
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