How To Report A Release / Spill
STEP 1 – DUE IMMEDIATELY | STEP 2 – Due As Soon As Possible Within 30 Days |
Verbal Notification |
Written Follow-up Notification |
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Reportable Quantities
The owner or operator of a facility or vessel must immediately notify the Hawaiʻi State Emergency Response Commission (HSERC) (through the HEER Office) and the appropriate Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) if there is a release into the environment of a hazardous substance that is equal to or exceeds the minimum reportable quantity in any 24-hour period as set forth in the regulations.
Step 1: Verbal notification via telephone / in person
Immediately after a reportable release, the owner or operator of a facility or vessel must notify the HEER Office (for the HSERC), the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) of the appropriate jurisdiction, and the National Response Center (NRC).
NUMBERS TO CALL
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- NOTE: Please call 9-1-1 if there is an immediate threat to human welfare or fatalities.
- HEER Office as the administrative contact for the HSERC (808) 586-4249 (7:45am – 4:30pm Monday to Friday) or (808) 236-8200 (after hours which includes weekends, holidays and after 4:30 weekdays)
- the LEPC for your jurisdiction according to the list below
- the National Response Center (NRC) at (800) 424-8802
You may download the Facility Operators HEPCRA Information Package, January 2023 which includes the list of contacts in ATTACHMENT 3-C.
INFORMATION TO PROVIDE
Specific information is required when reporting the release of a hazardous substance. To the best of your ability, be ready with the following information:
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- Your name and telephone number
- Name of the hazardous substance spilled
- Approximate quantity spilled
- Location of the spill
- Date and time of the spill
- Description of how it happened
- Immediate danger or threat posed by the release
- Contact information for the responsible party
- Measures taken or proposed to be taken to cleanup the spill
- Any known injuries resulting from exposure
- Other county, state or federal officials that were also notified
Step 2: Submit a written follow-up notice no later than 30 days after initial discovery of the release.
A Hawaii Hazardous Substance Written Follow-Up Notification Form regarding the release is also required to be sent to the HSERC/HEER and LEPC contacts noted above, postmarked no later than 30 days after initial discovery of the release.
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- A template for the written follow-up notice is provided in the Hazardous Substance Release Notification Guideline section of the TGM.
- Submit Hazardous Substance Written Follow-up Form Online
- To submit this form electronically, please register at HI DOH e-Permitting
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ON EMERGENCY PLANS
The State of Hawaiʻi Oil and Hazardous Substance Emergency Response Plan is a supplement to the State of Hawaiʻi Plan for Emergency Preparedness, Volume III, Disaster Response Assistance. This plan also serves as Annex 1530-1 to the Hawaii Area Contingency Plan.
- State of Hawaiʻi Oil and Hazardous Substances Emergency Response Plan, Jan 2020
- Hawaii Area Contingency Plan, Dec 2019
- US Department of Homeland Security, United States Coast Guard, Homeport Webpage for Honolulu
EPA LIST OF LISTS
EPA List of Lists:
EHS RQ, CERCLA RQ, 10 pound RQ for TCP, and Oil under the listed circumstances
LEGAL AUTHORITY
Owners or operators of facilities or vessels that release a hazardous substance or toxic chemical into the environment above the reportable quantity are subject to state notification requirements under the HEER Office’s legal authorities including:
- Hawaiʻi Environmental Response Law (HRS 128D) and Hawaiʻi State Contingency Plan (HAR 11-451)
- Hawaiʻi Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (HEPCRA) (HRS 128E and HAR 11-453)
- CERCLA §103