R311-211. Corrective Action Cleanup Standards Policy - UST and CERCLA Sites  


R311-211-1. Definitions
Latest version.

Definitions are found in Section R311-200.


R311-211-2. Source Elimination
Latest version.

The initial step in all corrective actions implemented at UST and CERCLA sites is to take appropriate action to eliminate the source of contamination either through removal or appropriate source control.


R311-211-3. Cleanup Standards Evaluation Criteria
Latest version.

Subsequent to source elimination, cleanup standards for remaining contamination which may include numerical, technology-based or risk-based standards or any combination of those standards, shall be determined on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the following criteria:

(a) The impact or potential impact of the contamination on the public health;

(b) The impact or potential impact of the contamination on the environment;

(c) Economic considerations and cost effectiveness of cleanup options; and

(d) The technology available for use in cleanup.


R311-211-4. Prevention of Further Degradation
Latest version.

  In determining background concentrations, cleanup standards, and significance levels, levels of contamination in ground water, surface water, soils or air will not be allowed to degrade beyond the existing contamination levels determined through appropriate monitoring or the use of other data accepted by the Board or the Director as representative.


R311-211-5. Cleanup Standards
Latest version.

(a) The following shall be the minimum standards to be met for any cleanup of regulated substances, hazardous material, and hazardous substances at a UST or CERCLA facility in Utah:

(1) for water-related corrective action, the Maximum Contaminant Limits (MCLs) established under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act or other applicable water classifications and standards; and

(2) for air-related corrective action, the appropriate air quality standards established under the Federal Clean Air Act.

(3) Other standards as determined applicable by the Board may be utilized.

(b) Cleanup levels below the MCLs or other applicable water, soil, or air quality standards may be established by the Board on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration R311-211-3 and R311-211-4.

(c) In the case of contamination above the MCL or other applicable water, soil, or air quality standards, if, after evaluation of all alternatives, it is determined that applicable minimum standards cannot reasonably be achieved, cleanup levels above these minimum standards may be established on a case-by-case basis utilizing R311-211-3 and R311-211-4. In assessing the evaluation criteria, the following factors shall be considered:

(1) quantity of materials released;

(2) mobility, persistence, and toxicity of materials released;

(3) exposure pathways;

(4) extent of contamination and its relationship to present and potential surface and ground water locations and uses;

(5) type and levels of background contamination; and

(6) other relevant standards and factors as determined appropriate by the Board.


R311-211-6. UST Facility Cleanup Standards
Latest version.

  (a) This rule incorporates by reference the Initial Screening Levels table dated November 1, 2005. The table lists initial screening levels for UST sites.

  (b) If the Director determines that a release from an underground storage tank has occurred, the Director shall evaluate whether the contamination at the site exceeds Initial Screening Levels for the contaminants released. The Director may require owners and operators to submit any information that the Director believes will assist in making this evaluation.

  (c) If all contaminants are below initial screening levels, the Director shall evaluate the site for No Further Action determination.

  (d) This rule incorporates by reference the Tier 1 Screening Criteria table dated November 1, 2005. The table lists cleanup criteria for UST sites. Tier 1 screening levels are only applicable when the following site conditions are met:

  (1) No buildings, property boundaries or utility lines are located within 30 horizontal feet of the highest measured concentration of any contaminant that is greater than the initial screening levels but less than or equal to the Tier 1 screening levels in the tables referred to in subparagraphs (a) and (d) above, respectively, and;

  (2) No water wells or surface water are located within 500 horizontal feet of the highest measured concentration of any contaminant that is greater than the initial screening levels but less than or equal to the Tier 1 screening levels in the tables referred to in subparagraphs (a) and (d) above, respectively.

  (e) If any contaminants from a release are above the Initial Screening Levels, the Director shall require owners and operators to submit all relevant information required to evaluate the site using the Tier 1 Screening Criteria.

  (1) If all Tier 1 Screening Criteria have been met, the Director shall evaluate the site for No Further Action determination.

  (2) If any of the Tier 1 Screening Criteria have not been met owners and operators shall proceed as described below.

  (i) Owners and operators shall conduct a site investigation to provide complete information to the Director regarding the factors outlined in R311-211-5(c) and 40 CFR Part 280.

  (ii) When the site investigation is complete, owners and operators may propose for the evaluation and approval of the Director site-specific cleanup standards based upon an analysis of the factors outlined in R311-211-5(c). Alternatively, the owners and operators may propose for the approval of the Director the Initial Screening Levels established in R311-211-6(a) as the site-specific cleanup standards.

  (iii) A partial corrective action approach may be approved by the Director prior to completing the site investigation. However, if corrective action is implemented in separate phases, the Director will not make a No Further Action determination until all factors outlined in R311-211-5(c) are evaluated.

  (iv) Owners and operators may then propose and conduct corrective action approved by the Director to attempt to reach the approved site-specific cleanup standards. If the owners and operators demonstrate that the approved site-specific cleanup standards have been met and maintained based upon sampling at intervals and for a period of time approved by the Director, the Director shall evaluate the site for No Further Action determination.

  (v) If the owners and operators do not make progress toward reaching site-specific cleanup standards after conducting the approved corrective action, the Director may require the owners and operators to submit an amended corrective action plan or an amended site-specific cleanup standards proposal and analysis of the factors outlined in R311-211-5(c) for the Director's approval. The Director may also require further investigation to fully define the extend and degree of the contamination if the passage of time or other factors creates the possibility that existing data may no longer be reliable.


R311-211-7. Significance Level
Latest version.

(a) Where contamination is identified that is below applicable MCLs, water classification standards, or air quality standards or where applicable standards do not exist for either the parameter in question or the environmental media in which the contamination is found, the cleanup standard shall be established using R311-211-3 and will be set between background and the observed level of contamination. Should it be determined that the observed level of contamination will be allowed to remain, this becomes the significance level.

(b) At any time, should continued monitoring identify contamination above the significance level, the criteria of R311-211-3 will be reapplied in connection with R311-211-4 to re-evaluate the need for corrective action and determine an appropriate cleanup standard.