Agricultural operations often store significant quantities of oil products, such as fuel, lubricants, and pesticides, which pose spill risks that can contaminate soil and water resources. The Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulation is part of the Clean Water Act, and it requires farms and agricultural facilities to implement plans to prevent oil spills from contaminating nearby water sources. Here’s a detailed overview of SPCC regulations and how farms can build an effective SPCC plan.
An SPCC plan is a set of procedures and guidelines designed to prevent oil spills and outline response actions in case a spill occurs. It includes measures for oil spill prevention, containment, cleanup, and the safe handling of oil products.
Farms are required to have an SPCC plan if they meet the following criteria:
Oil Storage Capacity: Your farm stores more than 1,320 gallons of oil in aboveground containers or 42,000 gallons in completely buried containers.
Potential for Spill Impact: The farm could reasonably discharge oil into navigable waters or adjoining shorelines, such as rivers, lakes, or ponds.
If your farm meets these criteria, you need to prepare and implement an SPCC plan to mitigate spill risks.
An effective SPCC plan should be tailored to the specific operations, layout, and potential risks at your farm. Here are the key components that should be included:
1. Facility Information and Contacts
Basic Details: Include the farm's name, location, and owner/operator contact information.
Emergency Contacts: List emergency contact numbers for farm personnel, local authorities, and spill response contractors.
2. Oil Storage Inventory
List of Oil Containers: Provide an inventory of all oil storage containers, tanks, and equipment, including their capacity, location, and contents (e.g., fuel, hydraulic oil, pesticides).
Maximum Capacity: Note the maximum capacity of oil that can be stored at the facility to assist in assessing spill risks.
Regular Inspections: Outline procedures for conducting regular inspections of storage containers for leaks, corrosion, and maintenance needs.
3. Spill Prevention Measures
Secondary Containment: Describe the use of secondary containment measures, such as dikes, berms, or spill pallets, to contain oil spills and prevent them from reaching water sources.
Storage Practices: Implement best practices for oil storage, including:
Keeping oil containers covered to reduce exposure to the elements.
Storing containers on impervious surfaces to prevent seepage.
Placing tanks and containers away from storm drains, ditches, and waterways.
4. Spill Response Procedures
Emergency Response Steps: Detail the steps to take in case of an oil spill, including:
Stop the Source: Immediately shut off valves or take other measures to stop the flow of oil.
Contain the Spill: Use spill kits, absorbent materials, or containment booms to limit the spread of oil.
Notify Authorities: Contact emergency responders, regulatory agencies, and any contracted spill response services as needed.
Spill Response Equipment: List the spill response equipment available on-site, such as spill kits, absorbent materials, personal protective equipment (PPE), and shovels.
Training: Ensure that all farm personnel receive training on spill response procedures, the location and use of spill response equipment, and emergency contacts.
5. Facility Diagrams
Site Map: Create a detailed site map showing the location of oil storage containers, transfer areas, loading/unloading zones, secondary containment structures, and water bodies.
Flow Paths: Indicate potential pathways for oil flow in the event of a spill, highlighting areas where spills could potentially reach navigable waters.
6. Routine Inspections and Maintenance
Inspection Schedule: Outline a regular inspection schedule (e.g., monthly) to check the condition of oil storage containers, piping, and spill response equipment.
Maintenance Procedures: Include maintenance protocols for addressing leaks, corrosion, or structural issues identified during inspections.
7. Recordkeeping and Documentation
Inspection Logs: Maintain records of all inspections, maintenance, and repairs conducted on oil storage containers and equipment.
Training Records: Document all personnel training on SPCC procedures, including dates and the content covered.
Annual Review: Review and update the SPCC plan at least once a year or whenever there are changes in oil storage practices, equipment, or layout.
Tailor the Plan to Your Farm: Each farm is unique, so customize your SPCC plan to address the specific layout, storage practices, and potential spill risks on your property.
Simplify Procedures: Ensure that the plan’s procedures are straightforward and easy for farm personnel to follow during a spill event.
Engage a Professional: If your farm stores more than 10,000 gallons of oil, the SPCC plan must be certified by a Professional Engineer (PE). For smaller farms, you can self-certify the plan, but seeking professional assistance can help you identify and mitigate risks more effectively.
Keep Spill Kits Accessible: Place spill response kits in easily accessible locations near storage areas, loading zones, and fuel tanks. Make sure they contain absorbent materials, PPE, and disposal bags.
Incorporate Best Practices: In addition to regulatory requirements, implement best practices like secondary containment, proper labeling of containers, and regular training to enhance spill prevention.
Implementing an SPCC plan tailored to your farm’s operations is crucial for preventing oil spills and safeguarding your land and nearby water sources. By proactively managing oil storage and establishing clear response procedures, agricultural operations can not only comply with SPCC regulations but also demonstrate their commitment to environmental stewardship.
Need Help with Your Farm’s SPCC Plan? Contact our team of environmental compliance experts for assistance in developing, certifying, or updating your SPCC plan.
This overview provides practical insights into SPCC regulations and actionable tips for creating an effective plan for agricultural operations.