Underground Storage Tanks

An underground storage tank (UST) is a tank and any underground piping connected to the tank which: holds petroleum products and has at least 10 percent of its combined volume underground. Releases from USTs due to spills, overfills, or leaking tanks and piping can cause fires or explosions that threaten people's safety. Underground storage tanks also can contaminate groundwater. Half of the U.S. population uses groundwater as a drinking water source.

UST Compliance Assistance


Compliance Assistance Programs directly involve tribes in the prevention, awareness, and cleaning up of releases from USTs in Indian Country. We assist UST owners, such as gas station owners and operators, in ensuring that they are in compliance with federal regulations. If they are out of compliance then the operators and owners can be charged with violations resulting in large fines and penalties. More importantly, if the USTs are not in compliance leaks from the UST can be released into the soil and groundwater, causing contamination of our drinking water.

United States Environmental Protection Agency

Underground Storage Tank Resources

An underground storage tank system (UST) is a tank and any underground piping connected to the tank that has at least 10 percent of its combined volume underground. The federal UST regulations apply only to UST systems storing either petroleum or certain hazardous substances.

When the UST program began, there were approximately 2.1 million regulated UST systems in the United States. Today there are far fewer since many substandard UST systems have been closed. For the most current statistics, see UST Performance Measures. Nearly all USTs regulated by the underground storage tank requirements contain petroleum.

Project Resources


Project Links



Public Records Database

EWMP maintains all project files on an internal database that is accessible to the public on request.

For help obtaining a document or report please contact, Julie Taylor, Environmental Field / Records Technician, (208)478-3904


Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Contacts


Location of Documents

  • Environmental Waste Management Program Office
    4 Mission Road
    Fort Hall, ID 83203
    (208)478-3904
  • EPA Region 10 Superfund Record Center
    1200 6th Avenue, Suite 155
    Mail Stop OMP-161
    Seattle, WA 98101
    Phone: 206-553-4494

Logo
Logo
Logo
Logo
Logo

Address.

PO Box 306, Pima Drive
Fort Hall, Idaho 83203
Located in Building #245


Contact us.

Phone: (208)236-1048
Fax: (208)236-1064


Email Us