UST COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING SUPPORT PROGRAM

PROJECT STAFF: Roland T. Chester, Environmental Program Coordinator
Elaina Curley, Environmental Program Coordinator
Elaine Wilson, Environmental Quality Programs Director
PROJECT PERIOD: April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2014
FUNDING SOURCES:U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Underground Storage Tank

PURPOSE:

The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc. Environmental Quality Programs oversees the Underground Storage Tank Compliance Assistance and Training Support (UST CATS) Program, formerly known as the American Indian Underground Storage Tank Program. UST CATS Program is funded through a cooperative agreement between ITCA and US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

This program promotes the prevention of releases from federally-regulated Underground Storage Tanks (UST) and the compliance of UST facilities in Indian Country with federal regulations. UST CATS Program supports all federally-recognized tribes in protecting human health and the environment from UST releases. The program offers compliance assistance for UST facilities in Indian Country, training for tribal government personnel, tribal program capacity building, and collaborative opportunities.

OBJECTIVES:

UST Inspector Trainings: The UST Inspector trainings provide instruction and certification to tribal personnel to conduct leak detection compliance inspections, oversee the installation and removal of USTs according to U.S. EPA guidelines, and conduct operations and maintenance inspections of UST facilities on tribal lands.

UST Compliance Training for Owners/Operators: The on-site compliance training targets persons that operate and/or oversee the daily activities at gasoline stations. The training instructs owners/operators on their responsibilities to be in compliance with UST regulations including leak detection, overfill and spill prevention, corrosion protection, and financial responsibility.

UST Compliance Awareness Training for Tribal Personnel: The compliance awareness training educates tribal personnel on UST compliance to federal regulations. The training consists of UST operations and maintenance, financial responsibility, and UST regulations.

UST Technical Advisory Sub-committee and UST Working Group: UST Technical Advisory Sub-committee and Working Group meeting are forums arranged and facilitated by ITCA UST CATS Program staff. The meetings are held to provide technical updates and an opportunity for networking with other tribal UST program staff, EPA personnel, and other federal agencies for information exchange. The meetings are scheduled bi-annually or on an “as needed” basis.

Travel Reimbursement for UST Training Courses: Travel reimbursement is made to tribal personnel attending UST Inspector Trainings and consists of one travel reimbursement per training, per tribe. These reimbursements are made at the discretion of the UST CATS Program Administrator and will be reimbursed at the federal government per diem rate.

UST Listserv: UST CATS Program listserv is for UST Tribal personnel and UST owners/operators. The listserv provides the most current information and announcements on issues and topics relevant to USTs.

ITCA UST CATS Catalog of Training:

  • Module I - UST Installation
  • Module II - UST Operations and Maintenance
  • Module III - UST Decommissioning and Removal
UST Owner/Operator Training
UST Compliance Awareness Training

CONTACT INFORMATON:

If you would like additional information on the UST CATS Program, please contact Roland T. Chester, Environmental Program Coordinator, Elaina Curley, Environmental Specialist, or Elaine Wilson, Environmental Quality Programs Director, at (602) 258-4822.

Other Helpful Websites:

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ITCA_UST_CATS/

http://www.epa.gov/oust/

http://www.itecmembers.org/

http://www.ntec.org/

 

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