Project Grant 95411923

DESCRIPTION:THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $548,178 TO THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL (SCDHEC)'S UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK (UST) PROGRAM. SPECIFICALLY, THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING FOR THE STATE'S LEAKING UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK (LUST) PREVENTION PROGRAM, WHICH INCLUDES LEAK DETECTION, PREVENTION, AND RELATED ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES.THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE LUST PREVENTION PROGRAM INCLUDE ENCOURAGING OWNERS AND OPERATORS TO PROPERLY OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THEIR USTS, ENSURING OWNERS AND OPERATORS MONITOR USTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATIONS, AND DEVELOPING THE STATE PROGRAM TO OPERATE IN LIEU OF THE FEDERAL PROGRAM.ACTIVITIES:ACTIVITIES AND OUTPUTS PERFORMED INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO CONDUCTING APPROXIMATELY 1,303 FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTIONS, PROVIDE COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE TO THE FACILITIES AND CARRY-OUT ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES FOR ANY NON-COMPLIANCE ISSUES DISCOVERED.THIS ENABLES SOUTH CAROLINA TO BE PROACTIVE IN PROMOTING UST COMPLIANCE IN HELPING TO ELIMINATE ANY RELEASES DUE TO POOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION, THUS REDUCING OR PREVENTING ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION. SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:EXPECTED OUTCOMES AND RESULTS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT BY PREVENTING PETROLEUM AND HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE RELEASES. AN EXPECTED OUTCOME OF THIS COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT IS THE NUMBER OF INSPECTIONS COMPLETED OF THE TANKS IN THE STATE. ALSO, SCDHEC WILL CARRY OUT ITS UST PROGRAM TO PREVENT THE RELEASE OF REGULATED PRODUCTS FROM USTS INTO THE ENVIRONMENT AND TO ENFORCE VIOLATIONS OF PROGRAM PROVISIONS. THESE EFFORTS WILL REDUCE RISK, IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, AND RESTORE AND SUPPORT RECREATIONAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO HEALTHY ECONOMIES. AND THESE RESULTS SUPPORT THE EPA'S STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL TO SAFEGUARD AND REVITALIZE COMMUNITIES, AND THE OBJECTIVE TO REDUCE OR PREVENT ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION.THE PRIMARY AND DIRECT BENEFICIARIES OF THIS PROGRAM ARE THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA'S RESIDENTS.