49-1051. Preapproval process; requirements; corrective action priority
A. An owner, an operator or the designated representative of either or a person that meets the requirements of section 49-1016, subsection C must follow the preapproval process pursuant to this section to be eligible for reimbursement from the underground storage tank revolving fund for corrective actions taken pursuant to section 49-1053, subsection A. Preapproval applications must include a detailed scope of work that conforms to the requirements of sections 49-1005 and 49-1053, a schedule for conducting corrective actions and a cost sheet. Beginning January 1, 2016, corrective actions and costs for activities that were completed before departmental approval of the scope of work are not eligible for reimbursement under section 49-1054. If the preapproved scope of work cannot be implemented as approved, the person seeking reimbursement shall submit a change notice to the department. To be eligible for reimbursement, a change notice must be approved by the department before implementation of the change notice.
B. This section does not relieve an owner, an operator or the designated representative of either from any of the requirements of this chapter.
C. While the application for preapproval is pending, the department may not take enforcement action or impose penalties against the owner, operator or designated representative who submitted the application for preapproval. The department may not consider the passage of time while the preapproval application is pending to be a basis for taking an enforcement action. For any corrective action submitted for preapproval pursuant to rule, the period of time for compliance with corrective actions associated with that preapproval begins to run from the date of preapproval of the corrective action.
D. On determination by the department or its designated contractor that the application for preapproval is complete, the department or its designated contractor shall determine whether the owner or operator was a small owner at the time of the application. For the purposes of this subsection, " small owner" means an owner that owns fewer than twenty underground storage tank facilities in this state.
E. In processing the application for preapproval, the department shall determine the corrective action priority of the release within ninety days after the receipt of the materials required by this section. The corrective action priority shall be based on all of the following:
1. The need for financial assistance, including the availability of coverage under insurance or other financial assurance mechanisms.
2. The extent to which a delay in reimbursement will affect the ability to conduct corrective actions.
3. The risk to human health and the environment.
4. The presence of preexisting contamination of groundwater by a hazardous substance as defined in section 49-281.
F. An owner, operator or person who meets the requirements of section 49-1016, subsection C may request reimbursement under section 49-1053. Subject to the availability of monies allocated and the assigned priority of the site pursuant to subsection E of this section, the department may make reimbursements from the underground storage tank revolving fund.
G. An application for preapproval and reimbursement pursuant to this section shall be on a form provided by the department and shall contain sufficient information to allow the director to make a determination of priority for that request.
H. Any determination made by the department pursuant to this section constitutes a written interim determination relating to preapproval pursuant to section 49-1091.
I. The department may alter the corrective action priority of the release at any time based on the results of sampling and monitoring conducted pursuant to this section or any other information obtained by the department.
Section: Previous 49-1024 49-1031 49-1032 49-1033 49-1034 49-1035 49-1036 49-1051 49-1052 49-1053 49-1054 49-1055 49-1056 49-1057 49-1071 NextLast modified: October 13, 2016