Section 18.75.310. Scope and duration of initial response actions.

	(a)  Immediately after receiving notice from a person or after otherwise becoming aware of a discharge or release of a hazardous substance to land or waters of the state, a responsible person shall, as required by 18 AAC 75.315, immediately contain and control the discharge or release and seek approval of cleanup and disposal plans to be used for that release. After obtaining approval of cleanup and disposal plans, the responsible person shall perform a cleanup of the discharge or release and dispose of the contaminated material in accordance with those plans.  
	(b)  The department under AS 46.04.020(a), or the commissioner under AS 46.09.020(a), will waive the requirements of (a) of this section if the department or commissioner as appropriate  
		(1) determines, in consultation with appropriate agencies as provided in AS 46.04.020(a)(1) or AS 46.09.020(a)(1), that containment or cleanup of the discharge or release is technically not feasible; or  
		(2) determines that the containment or cleanup effort would result in a greater threat to human health, safety, or welfare, or in greater damage to the environment than the discharge or release itself.  
	(c)  Unless relieved under (b) of this section, a responsible person shall immediately begin the initial response actions required by 18 AAC 75.315 and continue until  
		(1) the department, using the factors set out in 18 AAC 75.315, determines that  
			(A) the lowest practicable level of contamination has been achieved;  
			(B) any imminent and substantial threat to human health, safety, or welfare, or to the environment is abated; and  
			(C) additional action, including site cleanup under 18 AAC 75.325 - 18 AAC 75.390, is not required; or  
		(2) the department determines, on its own or at the request of a responsible person, that the source of the contamination has abated and that cleanup of residual soil and groundwater contamination should proceed under 18 AAC 75.325 - 18 AAC 75.396.  

Authorities

46.03.020;46.03.050;46.03.710;46.03.740;46.03.745;46.04.020;46.04.070;46.09.020

Notes

Reference

18 AAC 75.325

Authority

AS 46.03.020 AS 46.03.050 AS 46.03.710 AS 46.03.740 AS 46.03.745 AS 46.04.020 AS 46.04.070 AS 46.09.020

History

Eff. 1/22/99, Register 149; am 8/27/2000, Register 155; am 1/30/2003, Register 165