Environment DEC
From the December 2006 issue
New Hazardous Spill Reporting Requirement
Federal and New York State laws require notification of government agencies when certain releases of pollutants, petroleum and other hazardous materials occur. DEC's Spill Response Program operates the New York State Spill Hotline - 800-457-7362 - to receive reports and notify DEC's trained technical responders. These staff members then take appropriate action to ensure containment, cleanup and disposal are completed, ensuring protection of public health and the environment.
New Spill Notification Criteria
DEC will immediately notify a
municipality of hazardous spills
New State legislation, Chapter 616 of the laws of 2006, amended Environmental Conservation Law to require DEC to notify the public and the chief executive officer of the village, town, or city in which the spill has occurred within 48 hours of receiving a spill report, when the spill meets the following criteria:
- the material spilled is a hazardous substance listed in 6NYCRR Part 597 (which does not include petroleum);
- the spiller is in actual or constructive possession or control of more than 1,100 gallons of the substance, and
- the spill could reach the lands or waters of the state, including groundwater.
When a spill meeting these criteria occurs, DEC will provide local officials with information regarding the spill, along with a summary of the requirements of this new law. If the spill has the potential to impact adjacent communities, DEC will also provide notification to officials representing those areas.
DEC to Also Notify the Media
Also as required by the new law, DEC will provide notification of spills that meet these criteria to the public through local news outlets. As spills meeting these criteria are reported, media outlets will begin receiving media advisories to notify them of the spill with the information provided to DEC at the time the spill was reported. The spill media advisory will include a DEC contact to reach for additional spill information. In addition, information on spills of all kinds will continue to be regularly posted to DEC's Spills Incidents Database web page on DEC's website.
It is important to note that a spill may be undergoing additional investigation at the time it is initially reported and information about its size, composition, or cause is subject to change as the investigation continues. DEC appreciates the cooperation of local media outlets in helping to fulfill this legislative requirement.
More Information
For a sample of a media advisory with an outline of the information media outlets will soon be receiving, as well as more information about DEC's Spill Response Program, see "Related Links" below.
