Within 30 days of acquisition of real property into inventory, Rural Development must report certain underground storage tanks to the State agency identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to receive such reports. Notification will be accomplished by completing an appropriate EPA or alternate State form, if approved by EPA. A State supplement will be issued providing the appropriate forms required by EPA and instructions on processing same.

(a) Underground storage tanks which meet the following criteria must be reported:

(1) It is a tank, or combination of tanks (including pipes which are connected thereto) the volume of which is ten percent or more beneath the surface of the ground, including the volume of the underground pipes; and

(2) It is not exempt from the reporting requirements as outlined in paragraph (b) of this section; and

(3) The tank contains petroleum or substances defined as hazardous under section 101(14) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. 9601. The State Environmental Coordinator should be consulted whenever there is a question regarding the presence of a regulated substance; or

(4) The tank contained a regulated substance, was taken out of operation by Rural Development since January 1, 1974, and remains in the ground. Extensive research of records of inventory property sold before the effective date of this section is not required.

(b) The following underground storage tanks are exempt from the EPA reporting requirements:

(1) Farm or residential tanks of 1,100 gallons or less capacity used for storing motor fuel for noncommercial purposes;

(2) Tanks used for storing heating oil for consumptive use on the premises where stored;

(3) Septic tanks;

(4) Pipeline facilities (including gathering lines) regulated under; (i) The Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968; (ii) the Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act of 1979; or (iii) for an intrastate pipeline facility, regulated under State laws comparable to the provisions of law referred to in (b)(4) (i) or (ii) of this section;

(5) Surface impoundments, pits, ponds, or lagoons;

(6) Storm water or wastewater collection systems;

(7) Flow-through process tanks;

(8) Liquid traps or associated gathering lines directly related to oil or gas production and gathering operations; or

(9) Storage tanks situated in an underground area (such as a basement, cellar, mineworking, drift, shaft, or tunnel) if the tank is situated upon or above the surface of the floor.

(c) A copy of each report filed with the designated State agency will be forwarded to and maintained in the State Office by program area.

(d) Prospective purchasers of Rural Development inventory property with a reportable underground storage tank will be informed of the reporting requirement, and provided a copy of the form filed by Rural Development.

(e) In a State which has promulgated additional underground storage tank reporting requirements, Rural DevelopmentRural Development will comply with such requirements and a State supplement will be issued to provide necessary guidance.

(f) Regardless of whether an underground storage tank must be reported under the requirements of this section, if Rural Development personnel detect or believe there has been a release of petroleum or other regulated substance from an underground storage tank on an inventory property, the incident will be reported to the appropriate State Agency, the State Environmental Coordinator and appropriate program chief. These parties will collectively inform the servicing official of the appropriate response action.