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Frequently Asked Questions By Private Contractors about Sand-Salt Piles
Prepared by the Departments of Environmental Protection and Transportation
- I'm thinking of keeping mixed sand-salt at my business. What do I need to know before starting a sand-salt storage area?
- All sand-salt storage areas must be (1) registered with the Department of Environmental Protection and (2) comply with DEP rule, Siting and Operation of Road Salt and Sand-Salt Storage Areas, 06-096 C.M.R. ch. 574 (effective date December 3, 2001). For more information, please visit What To Know Before Starting A Sand-Salt Storage Area.
- I plan to move my sand-salt pile from its current location next year. What do I need to do?
- Any move to a new site is treated the same as establishing a new sand-salt pile. Any owner-operator moving their sand-salt pile to a new location must (a) register the new site with the DEP and (b) comply with requirements in the rule adopted by the Department. The DEP also strongly recommends that you contact the Department for an on-site evaluation of the new location prior to the move. To schedule a site evaluation, call 207-592-2068 or e-mail Enid Mitnik.
- Why might I be required to follow the rule when the nearby DOT or town sand-salt pile remains uncovered?
- Municipalities, counties, state entities and private contractors were all evaluated using the same criteria in 1986 and 1999. These previous priority numbers were assigned without distinction to ownership. The DOT or municipal sand-salt pile may have a priority number that exempted the facility from the rule requirements. The DEP no longer prioritizes salt storage facilities.
- How do I know what is the best or most typical building design and how much a storage facility costs to construct?
- Call the DOT's Community Services Division at 207-624-3270 or visit their web site. The DOT has years of data on all types and sizes of municipal sand-salt storage buildings and can provide a lot of useful information to private contractors as well.
- I store just sand at my place of business. Do sand piles need to be registered under the program?
- No, piles composed solely of sand do not need to be registered under this program.
- Is there an exemption for small sand-salt piles?
- Yes, DEP rule, Siting and Operation of Road Salt and Sand-Salt Storage Areas, 06-096 C.M.R. ch. 574 (effective date December 3, 2001) exempts sand-salt piles which are less than 100 cubic yards in size from registration, siting and operational requirements. Please be aware, however, that any contamination of ground or surface water is still a violation under Waste Discharge License 38 M.R.S. Section 413 and enforcement action may be initiated by the Department should a violation occur.