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U.S. EPA, DEQ cite PIC for fuel tank violations
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Posted on Oct 18 2000
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the CNMI Division of Environmental Quality have cited the Pacific islands Club Resort for violations of federal underground storage tank regulations.
The Pacific Islands Club Resort in San Antonio was fined $700 for failing to install leak detectors, inadequate record keeping and failing to maintain leak detection system.
“Leak prevention is critical for underground fuel storage tanks because a pin sized hole can release 400 gallons of fuel on a year’s time, enough to foul millions of gallons of fresh water,” said Norwood Scott, EPA underground storage tank inspector. “Given the limited amount of fresh water in Saipan, the protection of underground water sources is vital.”
A December 1998 federal deadline required regulated underground storage tanks to have a soil and overfill equipment, corrosion protection, and release detection methods to prevent releases.
The EPA frequently conducts unannounced tank inspections. Owners and operators of substandard tanks can face penalties of up to $11,000 per day per tank in addition to cleanup costs for leaking tanks.
