Petroleum Tank Cleanup

• Table 1: Release Confirmation Soil RBSLs
• Table 2: All Tier 1 Soil RBSLs
• Table 3: Tier 1 Groundwater RBSLs and Standards
• Table 4 (a): Calculated Tier 2**Soil RBSLs for Direct Contact Residential Receptor
• Table 4 (b): Calculated Tier 2*Soil RBSLs for Direct Contact Commercial Receptor
• Table 4 (c): Calculated Tier 2*Soil RBSLs for Direct Contact Construction Receptor

• Remedial Investigation Guidance
• Remedial Alternatives Analysis Guidance
• Cleanup Guidance and Cleanup Technologies Workbook
• Groundwater Monitoring Work Plan and Report Guidance
• Example Cumulative Tables for Soil & Groundwater Data with RBSLs
• Release Closure Plan (PDF not fillable)
• Release Closure Plan (Excel)
• Petroleum Brownfields Guidance
• Montana Quality Assurance Plan for Investigation of Underground Storage Tank Releases-Draft

Technical Guidance Documents:

• NAPL Glossary of Terms
• Monitored Natural Attenuation
• Site Closure Evaluation, Including Petroleum Mixing Zones
• Prioritization of Petroleum Release Sites (Priority Ranking Guidance for Petroleum Tank Releases)
• Permeations of Waterlines by Petroleum Constituents
• Purge Water Disposal Flowchart
• Groundwater Sampling Guidance
• Montana LNAPL Recovery and Monitoring Guidance
• Data Validation Summary Form
• Montana Vapor Intrusion Guide

APH VI Calculator

APH VI Calculator

The following are links to example field sampling forms that may be of assistance.

• Ambient Air Sampling Form
• Indoor Air Sampling Form
• Subslab Soil Vapor Sampling Form

Landfarming Soils: Contact Solid Waste Section for permitting and monitoring requirements at 406-444-5300.

Electronic Submittals

• File Transfer Service (ePass) for Corrective Action Plans (CAP) and Reports

Petroleum Tank Release Compensation Board Forms and Worksheets

The Certificate of Financial Responsibility below is required to be on file at your facility or place of business. Your compliance inspector is required to inspect it for proper record keeping.

Enforcement Spill Report

**If there is an emergency, please dial 911 to alert local services, then fill out our spill/complaint form or call DEQ Enforcement staff at (406) 444-0379.

Work Plan and Report Templates:

Standardized Abbreviated Corrective Action Work Plans and Reports:

• Standardized Abbreviated Corrective Action Work Plans
  • AC-03 Standardized Soil Boring and Monitoring Well Installation
  • AC-05 Standardized Remediation System Decommissioning and Removal
  • AC-07 Standardized Generic Applications
  • AC-08 Standardized Monitoring Well Abandonment
• Standardized Abbreviated Reports
  • AR-03 Standardized Soil Boring and Monitoring Well Installation
  • AR-05 Standardized Remediation System Decommissioning and Removal
  • AR-07 Generic Applications

• Petroleum Mixing Zone Corrective Action Plan Report

Data Validation Guidelines

Data Validation Summary Form (This is an Adobe fillable PDF form that will not download like other PDFs. To access this form, please save the form to your local computer and open the form from the computer using the free Adobe Reader or other Adobe software.)

Financial Forms

• DEQ UST Montana Certificate of Financial Responsibility Form
• Financial Data Request Form for Individuals
• Financial Data Request Form for Businesses

The work plans on this table have been Submitted for Local Government Review or subsequently Approved by DEQ since January 1, 2014. They are organized chronologically by expected completion dates, and entries will be removed following completion. More information regarding implementation and scope of work is available at the links provided in the Work Plan column. If you have further questions or concerns, please contact the associated DEQ Project Manager, either at the linked email address or by calling: (406) 444-6444

Last Updated: December 20, 2024

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• Agenda

• Agenda

Petroleum Cleanup Section FAQ

A. Program overview and applicable laws and rules
B. Cleanup Process-Confirmation, Investigation, Release Cleanup, Long-Term Monitoring
C. Resolving or Closing a Petroleum Tank Release

 Program overview and applicable laws and rules

A1. I have a petroleum release from a tank; what do I do now? 

If the petroleum release is from a tank system, either an underground storage tank or an above-ground storage tank, you need to call one of the following numbers within 24-hours of detecting the leak: 

• 1-800-457-0568 From 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday (DEQ)
• 1-406-324-4777 After-hours and holidays (Disaster and Emergency Services)

If your petroleum release is from a tanker truck that is not connected to a UST or AST system, or any other source, call the DEQ Enforcement Division at (406) 444-0379. 

A2. Who is responsible for notifying the state of a petroleum release from a tank?

An owner/operator, any person who installs or removes an UST, or who performs subsurface investigations for the presence of regulated substances, and any person who performs a tank tightness or line tightness test must notify DEQ or the Disaster and Emergency Services officer available at the phone numbers listed in the response to A1 above. 

A3. What are the most common risks to human health, safety, and the environment at a typical petroleum tank release site? 

For a release regulated under the Montana Underground Storage Tank Act (75-11 Chapter 5, MCA) or the Petroleum Storage Tank statute (75-11 Chapter 3, MCA), the most common risks at petroleum release sites are from: 

• People potentially drinking contaminated water (either from a contaminated aquifer or permeation of a water pipe);
• Human exposure to vapors migrating into buildings; and
• Construction workers contacting petroleum-contaminated soil during excavation work. 

Other risks can include direct human contact with contaminated surface or subsurface soil and contaminated surface water (rivers and lakes) which may impact humans or the environment. For more information on potential risk, select the “Risk Assessment/Analysis” topic at https://deq.mt.gov/cleanupandrec/Programs/superfundstate.

Cleanup Process-Confirmation, Investigation, Release Cleanup, Long-Term Monitoring

 B1. How do I hire an environmental consultant?

The Petroleum Tank Cleanup section maintains a list of environmental consultants who you can hire to assist you with your petroleum tank release. Please refer to the following webpage for names of consulting firms, phone numbers, and advice for hiring a consultant. Consultant List.

B2. Is there any financial assistance available?

Remedial efforts at petroleum tank releases that have been deemed eligible for reimbursement from the Petroleum Storage Tank Cleanup Fund are reimbursable. For more information, please visit the Petroleum Tank Release Compensation Board website.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNRC) works with DEQ in granting cleanup funds to eligible sites with environmental issues and compelling benefits to the impacted communities. The specific grant program is called Reclamation and Development Grants program and for more information on the grants available through DNRC, please visit their website at: Reclamation and Development Grants Program

DEQ and the US Environmental Protection Agency oversee Brownfields funding for investigation and cleanup to eligible petroleum release sites. For more information regarding the Montana DEQ Brownfields funding or a petroleum release’s potential eligibility for Brownfields, please visit: Montana Brownfields Program.

Resolving or Closing a Petroleum Tank Release

C1. What is required to close a petroleum release regulated by the Montana Underground Storage Tank Act (75-11 Chapter 5, MCA) or the Petroleum Storage Tank statute (75-11 Chapter 3, MCA)?

The term close or closure is synonymous with resolving the release in accordance with Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM 17.56.607(4)).

The technical guidance document for petroleum release closure provides a comprehensive look at closure requirements. Please use the following link to find the Site Closure Evaluation, Including Petroleum Mixing Zones technical guidance document: Petroleum Release Closure Categorization

C2. Does DEQ-7 contain all the chemicals found in gasoline and diesel?

No. Gasoline, diesel, and other refined petroleum products are made up of hundreds of chemicals. Only about a dozen or so of these chemicals have standards listed in DEQ-7. DEQ created and periodically updates its guidance document called Montana Tier 1 Risk Based Corrective Action Guidance for Petroleum Releases (also referred to as RBCA). In its RBCA document, DEQ has defined risk-based screening levels (RBSL) for soil and groundwater at petroleum release sites. For specific chemicals of concern, both DEQ-7 chemicals and those with calculated risk-based screening levels (RBSL), refer to the RBCA Document.

C3. What cleanup levels do petroleum release regulated by the Montana Underground Storage Tank Act (75-11 Chapter 5, MCA) or the Petroleum Storage Tank statute (75-11 Chapter 3, MCA) have to meet?

The DEQ has developed a method published in Montana Tier 1 Risk-based Corrective Action Guidance for Petroleum Releases (RBCA) to address petroleum chemicals not listed in DEQ-7. RBCA identifies concentrations of petroleum chemicals called “risk-based screening levels” or “RBSL” to evaluate risks posed to human health and the environment. Petroleum releases cleaned up to levels below RBSL are determined to be protective of human health and the environment. RBCA has been incorporated by reference into Montana tank rules addressing site closure found at ARM 17.56.608.

C4. Can a petroleum tank release regulated by the Montana Underground Storage Tank Act (75-11 Chapter 5, MCA) or the Petroleum Storage Tank statute (75-11 Chapter 3, MCA) be closed when groundwater exceeds DEQ-7 standards or RBSL, and the contamination is not migrating beyond the property boundaries?

Maybe; all groundwater is state water even that located only under the facility that is the source of the release. DEQ considers all exposure routes and all receptors before making a determination if a petroleum release is ready for closure. If no receptor is exposed to groundwater contaminated by residual petroleum fractions that have only an RBSL, the petroleum tank release could close. However, if a specific chemical listed in DEQ-7 exceeds water quality standards (such as benzene), the release will remain open until the contamination is less than the standard or until petroleum mixing zone has been approved.

C5. What is a petroleum mixing zone closure?

A petroleum mixing zone closure is a category that a petroleum tank releases regulated by the Montana Underground Storage Tank Act (75-11 Chapter 5, MCA) or the Petroleum Storage Tank statute (75-11 Chapter 3, MCA) can be resolved or closed in situations where the groundwater continues to have petroleum chemicals that exceed DEQ-7 water quality standards. A petroleum mixing zone may be granted if the owner/operator demonstrates that the release has been cleaned up to the maximum extent practicable, the groundwater contamination plume is decreasing, and there is no other risk to receptors. A petroleum mixing zone closure will allow a petroleum tank release to be closed that has a groundwater plume that exceeds water quality standards.

The Petroleum Tank Cleanup uses a guidance document to explain a petroleum mixing zone closure and the requirements needed for a petroleum tank release to be considered for such a closure. Please see the Site Closure Evaluation, Including Petroleum Mixing Zones technical guidance document for a full description: Petroleum Release Closure Categorization.

C6. What are the cleanup levels for soil?

DEQ does not have specific soil standards for petroleum contamination but has developed risk-based screening levels (RBSLs) for soil to evaluate risk to human health and the environment. Soil RBSLs are conservatively calculated to represent concentrations of the various chemicals that should not cause unacceptable risks to human health through direct contact (ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact) and will not leach into groundwater above DEQ-7 standards or groundwater RBSLs anywhere in Montana. Soil RBSLs are available for surface soil (less than two feet deep) and deeper soils and for both residential and commercial purposes. Soil RBSLs can be used as default cleanup levels for soil. DEQ may approve other methods to evaluate risks to human health, safety, and the environment.

• December 7, 2022 - Tanks Stakeholder Workgroup Powerpoint
• December 7, 2022 - Tanks Stakeholder Workgroup Meeting Minutes
• January 25, 2023 - Tanks Stakeholder Workgroup Meeting PowerPoint
• January 25, 2023 - Tanks Stakeholder Workgroup Meeting Meeting Minutes

• Montana Remedial Investigation Guidance Workplan & Report Preparation Cost Worksheet

• Montana Cleanup Guidance Workplan & Report Preparation Cost Worksheet 

Legislative Audit Document

• Performance Audit – Administration of the Petroleum Tank Release Cleanup Fund – October 2021

PTRCB/DEQ Corrective Action Plan for the Audit

• Corrective Action Plan
• Excel August 2022 Corrective Action Plan Status Summary
• DEQ Corrective Action Plan January 2022 Update
• DEQ Corrective Action Plan March 2022 Update
• DEQ Corrective Action Plan June 2022 Update
• DEQ Corrective Action Plan August 2022 Update
• DEQ Corrective Action Plan November 2022 Update

Audit Corrective Action Plan Proposals

• Audit Finding #2 - DEQ Draft Changes to Petroleum Storage Tank Cleanup Laws
  
• Audit #2 Corrective Action Plan Stakeholder Comments & Letters

State summaries prepared by DEQ and reviewed by each state:

• Colorado Petroleum Tank Cleanup Process Summary
• Utah Petroleum Tank Cleanup Process Summary
• Wyoming Storage Tank Program Process Summary
• Montana Petroleum Tank Cleanup Process Summary
• Funding Mechanism Comparison Chart

 Special Legislative Funding (SLF)

• SLF Final Report; $400,000 Allocation; August 2014
• SLF Orphan Share Account Final Report; $7,000,000 Allocation; July 2017
• SLF PTRCF Transfer Final Report; $1,000,000 Allocation; December 2021

Lists and Contacts

• LUST Consultant List
• LAB Contact List
• Montana Public Health Directory

Training Opportunities

• NEIWPCC UST Resources
• ITRC Training Calendar
• EPA Clu-In Trainings

WILDFIRE GUIDE: Preparation And Recovery For Underground And Aboveground Storage Tank Systems

FLOODING GUIDE: Underground Storage Tank Flood Guide