Report - Maryland Department of the Environment

Oil Control Program - Pollution Remediation Activities
PURPOSE
The Oil Control Program (OCP) oversees remediation activities at sites where petroleum
products have been discharged and are impacting soil or groundwater. The oversight
ensures that responsible parties remediate the site in a timely manner, protecting the public's
health and the environment. The majority of sites are gasoline service stations, both
operating and closed. Sites also include businesses that have their own petroleum
distribution systems for use in vehicle fleets and commercial and residential heating oil
systems.
AUTHORITY
FEDERAL: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act - Subtitle I
STATE: Environment Article, Title 4, Subtitle 4; COMAR 26.10
PROCESS
Groundwater and soil cleanups are highly technical in nature, usually requiring numerous site
visits, meetings, and staff time. When a release of petroleum product is reported to OCP, a
team of specialists is assigned to investigate. The team prioritizes the response effort to the
release, based on product type, amount released, and potential impacts from the release.
Each site is in violation by virtue of the fact that a release has occurred. Inspection
frequency is also determined as site-specific conditions warrant. During the inspection of
remedial sites, conditions are documented and the responsible party is given direction and
advised of the status of compliance. There are cases where the responsible party fails to
perform the necessary steps to remediate the discharge. If enforcement action is warranted,
the action will be performed in accordance with MDE’s guidelines and procedures.
SUCCESSES/CHALLENGES
The field activity performed by OCP staff continues to reflect the commitment in time and
resources needed to adequately oversee the cleanups performed by responsible parties in
the State. Multiple site visits during the fiscal year are needed to ensure compliance with
approved corrective action plans, especially at release sites that could impact drinking water
wells. OCP has found that a strong field presence and frequent communication with the
responsible party increases compliance. This approach has more often than not resulted in
the containment of releases to the property where they occurred and for those that had
already migrated off the site, the implementation of a remedial response that prevents further
migration.
This reporting period, OCP has been able to reduce the identified sites from 1,619 in FY
2008 to 1,424 in 2009. This is the fifth year a decline has been noted. This may be
attributable to OCP case managers’ prioritization of workload and sustained effort to move
cases toward closure.
MDE FY 2009 Annual Enforcement and Compliance Report 66