May 10, 2001

• Store petroleum products in “safe” containers. “Safe” means no sign of rust or rot, double-walled preferred, with tight valves, in a secure place.

• Inspect tanks daily for signs of failure. Repair all drips or leaks (just two drops per second adds up to 84 gallons a month!).

• Register tanks larger than 660 gallons with the Regional Water Quality Control Board (This is a legal requirement – for info call (707) 576-2600).

• Design a secondary containment around any above ground storage tank that would exceed the amount stored inside but would be clear from actual contact with the tank. Every secondary containment should include a release valve. Rainwater will eventually cause a leak so the ideal would be to put a roof over all of it. Call the County Building Department for info (445-7245)

• If your tank sits on metal stilts, add additional cross-bracing to make it as earthquake proof as possible. Larger footings provide additional stability.

• Use extreme caution during any fuel transfers to and from your tanks.

• Recycle all used oil and old fuel. Transport it in a sealed container to your local oil recycler (one quart of motor oil can contaminate 250,000 gallons of water!).

• Locate fuel storage away from creeks and watercourses.

As citizens, we can work to:

• Encourage diesel delivery companies to only fill “safe” tanks.

• Encourage generator distributors and storage tank distributors to promote secondary containment and safe handling of used oil.

• Encourage use of propane generators as a cleaner less toxic fuel.

• Encourage alternatives like the production of bio-diesel as an alternative to conventional diesel fuel.

One suggestion that has surfaced is the need for local people to become certified in hazardous waste handling and cleanup. While researching this issue, I talked with all of the Mattole volunteer fire departments & companies to learn about their needs and capabilities regarding hazardous materials response. All were interested in receiving additional training and appropriate materials in case of a diesel spill. Some of the departments carry kitty litter as an absorbent, some have absorbent materials, and one has a pump and a collapsible tank. To further support these volunteer fire departments, send a donation to be used towards spill response:

Petrolia Volunteer Fire Department:
Box 169, Petrolia, CA 95558
Telegraph Ridge Volunteer Fire Dept:
Box 1152, Redway, CA 95560
Honeydew Volunteer Fire Company:
Box 74, Honeydew, CA 95545

Whitethorn Fire Protection District:
c/o B. Fieseler, Box 183,
Whitethorn, CA 95589
Whale Gulch:
Box 12, Whitethorn, CA 95589


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Table of Contents for Mattole Restoration Newsletter, Issue 16 - Spring/Sumer 2001