EPA Fines 3 Bulk Storage Facilities for SPCC Issues
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fined three bulk storage facilities in Louisiana for violating federal Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations outlined under the Clean Water Act, according to releases from the agency last week.
EPA fined Marina Del Rey of Madisonville $900 because its SPCC plan did not conform to federal requirements, had inadequate or no description of the physical layout of the facility, inadequate or no information and procedures for reporting an oil spill, and inadequate or no description and procedures to use when oil spills occur.
The inspection also found the SPCC plan had inadequate or no discussion of site security, the facility was not fully fenced, and entrance gates were not locked or guarded when the site was unattended.
The agency fined Seaway Marina of Lafitte $2,250 because its facility had no SPCC plan, inadequate secondary containment of bulk storage areas as well as problems with containment bypass valves and valves used for drainage from diked storage areas.
EPA fined Carlo Ditta, Inc. of New Orleans $2,250 for violating SPCC regulations at two facilities. Inspection revealed their SPCC plans did not conform to federal requirements, had inadequate or no information and procedures for reporting an oil spill, inadequate or no description and procedures to use when oil spills occur, and inadequate or no prediction of equipment failure which would result in discharges. In addition, personnel working at the sites had no training on the operation and maintenance of equipment to prevent discharges or on discharge procedure protocols, and spill prevention briefings were not scheduled and conducted periodically. The plans also lacked appropriate provision for site security, site drainage, or bulk storage tanks.
All three companies, though Expedited Settlement Agreements with EPA, provided certification that all identified deficiencies have been corrected.
For more information on SPCC regulations, visit www.epa.gov/oilspill.