Water & Waste Funding
IN SOUTH DAKOTA

Abandoned Tank Removal Project

The 2000 Legislature passed SB 197, which authorizes a voluntary abandoned underground storage tank removal project. The bill authorizes DANR (formerly the DENR - Department of Environment and Natural Resources) to remove tanks that qualify and the Petroleum Release Compensation Fund (PRCF) to pay for the removal and any necessary environmental cleanup.

SB 197 was written to finish the storage tank cleanups that started in 1988. If those abandoned tanks targeted in the bill remain in the ground, any hydrocarbon contaminants still in the tanks will leak out over time.

Eligible Tanks

Abandoned petroleum and waste oil tanks located at gas stations or Commercial motor fuel vendors that closed before April 1, 1988.
Abandoned waste oil tanks located at commercial motor fuel vendors or noncommercial operations
Abandoned petroleum tanks located at noncommercial operations.

Ineligible Tanks

Abandoned petroleum storage tanks located at gas stations or commercial motor fuel vendors that closed on or after April 1, 1988.
Abandoned underground storage tanks that are inaccessible (for example, under an existing building).
Abandoned tanks that did not contain petroleum products.
Abandoned aboveground storage tanks.

To get your tanks removed...

Owner completes the tank forms

If your tank is eligible, the state will remove the tanks and do the necessary cleanup.

Tank Removal Process

To apply, owners must complete the form for Abandoned Tank Removal. By completing and signing the form, owners are:

• Providing a voluntary written request to the Petroleum Release Compensation Fund;
• Waiving all claims against the state;
• Certifying that all property taxes are current;
• Transferring ownership of the tanks and contents to the state upon removal;
• Agreeing that the state will not replace any surfacing such as asphalt or concrete; and
• Giving the state access to perform tank removal, assessment, and cleanup.