HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7379 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 1 of 2 7379
NAP r I A"o May 2, 1989
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
Polk
•
Subject: RECOWNDATION FOR UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK ORDINANCE
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has written regulations
covering many of the nations underground storage tanks (UST). The UST program was
created in 1984 when Congress added Subtitle I to the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act (RCRA). Subtitle I requires EPA to develop regulations to protect human
health and the environment from leaking USTs. EPA developed the UST regulations
to ensure that:
1) Leaks and spills are prevented.
2) Leaks and spills are found.
3) Problems created by leaks and spills are corrected.
4) Owners and operators of UST can pay for correcting the problems created by their
UST systems.
5) Each state has a regulatory program for UST that is as strict or stricter than
the Federal regulations.
The Texas Water Commission (TWC) responded by adopting (February 2, 1988) the Emergency
Rules and Regulations for Underground Storage Tanks. The Texas program does include
all components of the Federal program. Estimates are that nearly one-third of the
UST are leaking and pose a threat of contamination to the soil and water around them.
In Texas there are approximately 140,000 UST of which 127,00 are legally registered.
Eight percent (8%), approximately 11,200 of these Texas UST are within the corporate
limits of Fort Worth.
The Department of Public Health envisions better services for the affected industry
through a local program. A day-to-day working relationship with comments from local
industry is needed to establish goals for the program. A more expedient response
will be given to the problems of industry and the general public by a locally
controlled program. A local ordinance would provide for an adequate enforcement
program, performance standards, leakage detection, and prevention. Funding for this
program can be achieved by an inspectional fee of $25.00 per inspection. The Public
Health Department, with the assistance of the Fire Department, would be responsible
for the enforcement of the local ordinance. The Fire Department will work within
the frame-work of their present codes. Interdepartmental communication will be
necessary to provide an adequate program. The Public Health Department would interact
with and provide consultations to other City Departments that must comply with the
UST program.
[ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH. TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7379
A APO '41 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
May 2 , 1989
X
0 Subject: RECONKNDATION FOR LMDERGR"D STORAGE TANK ORDINANCE
Cost of the implementation of this program is approximately
$217 , 629.00 for the first year.
Cost recovery will be through the initiation of an inspectional
fee of $25 .00 per inspection. The estimated level of revenue
collection for the first activity year is 75% to yield
$210,000 .00 , based on an estimated 11 ,200 UST's within the City.
Staff seeks direction form Council in proceeding with the
development of the proposed ordinance and funding that is
necessary to comply with TWC and EPA rules and regulations .
Funding for the UST program would be requested to begin in fiscal
year 1990 . With Council 's approval , an improvement package will
be developed for the upcoming budget .
/"DOUGLAS HARMAN
CITY MANAGER
[ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS