Formula Grant 03J13101

DESCRIPTION:THIS GRANT PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO THE STATE OF ALASKA'S UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK (UST) PROGRAM IN LEAK DETECTION, PREVENTION AND RELATED ENFORCEMENT. THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THIS PROGRAM INCLUDE: (1) ENCOURAGING OWNERS AND OPERATORS TO PROPERLY OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THEIR USTS; (2) ENSURING OWNERS AND OPERATORS MONITOR USTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REGULATIONS; AND (3) DEVELOPING THE STATE PROGRAM TO OPERATE IN LIEU OF THE FEDERAL PROGRAM. THESE OBJECTIVES PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT BY PREVENTING PETROLEUM AND HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE RELEASES.ACTIVITIES:THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES ARE EXPECTED TO BE PERFORMED: (1) UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK (UST) INSPECTION/COMPLIANCE /ENFORCEMENT: OVERSEES AND IMPLEMENT THE THIRD PARTY INSPECTION PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES USING A CERTIFIED INSPECTOR AND REQUIRES REGULAR INSPECTIONS OF ALL REGULATED USTS. ENSURE OWNER/OPERATOR COMPLIANCE WITH STATE UST STATUTES AND REGULATIONS. CONDUCT UST COMPLIANCE ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES AS NEEDED. (2) TANK WORKER CERTIFICATION: MAINTAIN THE TANK WORKER CERTIFICATION IN CONJUNCTION WITH DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING. (3) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE TO TANK OWNERS AND OPERATORS FOR ACTIVE TANKS, CERTIFIED THIRD-PARTY INSPECTORS, AND MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC. (4) TRACKING STATUS OF TANKS AND FACILITIES: TRACK THE LOCATION AND STATUS OF USTS. USE UST ACCESS DATABASE TO TRACK ALL USTS INCLUDING CLOSURES, SITE ASSESSMENTS, INSTALLATIONS, UPGRADES, FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND INSPECTIONS. (5) PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION AND PLANNING: HANDLE ALL ACTIVITIES RELATED TO PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT REQUIRED FOR PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION UNDER THE FEDERAL UST GRANT. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE OVERSIGHT OF THE WORK PLAN TASKS, BUDGET PLANNING AND TRACKING, REPORTING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA), ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE GRANT ACTIVITIES, STAFF TRAINING, AND PLANNING AND COORDINATION ACTIVITIES WITH THE DIVISION, DEPARTMENT, AND EPA.SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE: (1) REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF TANKS THAT ARE NOT MEETING FEDERAL AND STATE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION STANDARDS FOR UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS(UST).(2) MAINTAIN A POOL OF QUALIFIED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE UST PROFESSIONALS WHO CAN ENSURE THAT PREVENTION AND PROTECTION STANDARDS FOR REGULATED USTS ARE MET. (3) ENSURE THAT STAKEHOLDERS HAVE ACCESS TO INFORMATION PERTAINING TO USTS, AND THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THE FEDERAL AND STATE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION STANDARDS FOR USTS. IN ADDITION, OWNERS WILL BETTER UNDERSTAND THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS SET OUT IN FEDERAL AND STATE REGULATIONS. INCREASE OUTREACH TO OWNER/OPERATOR TO ENSURE AWARENESS, KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCY WITH UST INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE, AND COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS. (4) PROVIDE UP-TO-DATE STATUS OF TANKS. IN ADDITION, ENSURES THAT FACILITIES ARE MEETING UST FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND HAVE THE FINANCIAL ABILITY TO PAY FOR CLEANUPS RATHER THAN RELYING ON FEDERAL OR STATE FUNDING FOR CLEANUP IF IT OCCURS. (5) THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY IS KEPT INFORMED OF THE PROGRESS OF THE ALASKA UST GRANT PROGRAM AND IS PROVIDED UP TO DATE INFORMATION TO DESCRIBE WORK PLAN TASKS UPON REQUEST. THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE RECIPIENT TO IMPLEMENT THE STATE'S UST PROGRAM AND IS FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE. THE PRIMARY, DIRECT BENEFICIARY IS THE STATE UST PROGRAM WITH THE INDIRECT BENEFICIARIES BEING THE STATE'S RESIDENTS.