PROGRAMS: Underground Storage Tanks

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources - Division of Environmental Protection (DPNR-DEP), is the agency responsible for developing and implementing the Virgin Islands UST program. The department is concentrating on program development, including finding or redrafting many guidance documents, developing/updating UST inventory and database, UST management education and compliance, enforcement, and drafting new regulations.

TASK I:
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

Subtask I. Establish standards for new and existing UST systems

Subtask II. Program Development Activities

a. Maintain VI tank notification and permit program; Review and follow-up on new tank construction, upgrades, and closures then report aggregate data to EPA on an annual basis (Ongoing)
b. Verify incoming tank notifications. DPNR and other government agencies to discover & record unregistered UST's.
c. Enter data for all UST facilities into UST database.

Subtask III. Training for UST Program

a. EPA Regional All-State Meetings, National UST/LUST Conference, and State Fund Administrators Conference.
b. Obtain training for Advanced GIS to maintain database, and mapping of data.
c. Obtain any formal technical UST training, including inspection, maintenance, and management.

Subtask IV. Develop program SOP

TASK II
OUTREACH EFFORTS TO PROMOTE COMPLIANCE

Subtask I. Promote compliance with Federal and State requirements through outreach efforts designed to disseminate regulatory and technical information to the regulated community.

a. DPNR will maintain and make available UST related regulatory and technical information provided by USEPA and by industry, including pamphlets, booklets, and videotapes.
b. DPNR will continue the annual production of The Virgin Islands UST News. The annual publication discusses topics of great concerns to Virgin Islands UST owners and operators. A copy of each issue will be sent to EPA.
c. DPNR will continue to provide technical assistance to the regulated community.

Subtask II. UST Owner/Operator management training/seminar.

a. DPNR plans to hold training seminars on St. Croix and St. Thomas in the July of FY 2008 on updated UST information.

b. An enforcement tracking system will be utilized to track compliance inspections and subsequent enforcement actions. A semi-annual report will be generated and submitted to EPA Region II.

Subtask II. Enforcement

DPNR will begin enforcement action against facilities found in non-compliance with the Federal UST Regulations.

a. Notice of Violation.
b. Referral of EPA for formal enforcement action.
c. Formal enforcement action as allowed by Legislation.

TASK V
GRANT REPORT

Subtask I. DPNR will submit semi-annual grant progress reports to EPA by the following dates:

a. Mid-Year Report April 2008
b. End-of-Year Report October 2008

Subtask II. DPNR will submit semi-annual STAR and LUST activity data by the following dates:

a. Mid-Year Report April 2008
b. End-of-Year Report October 2008