JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – If your neighbor is an abandoned gas station or other business where a petroleum tank is buried , now’s the chance to get that neighbor “evicted”. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has more than $3 million in stimulus money dedicated to the removal of abandoned underground petroleum storage tanks, but they need the public’s help in finding those tanks.
Typically, the tanks are buried a few feet below the ground and before these properties can be occupied again, they first have to be assessed to determine the proper cleanup action. The stimulus funds being made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act can be used for both assessment and clean up.
The DNR is looking for abandoned underground petroleum storage tanks sites where there is not a clearly identifiable responsible party, often a former owner or operator.
“Since these are abandoned tanks we’re searching for, there is no responsible party,” said Susanne Medley, Director of Communications. “The Department will not assess a penalty on an abandoned tank.”
When selecting sites to benefit from the Recovery Act funds, the Department will also take into consideration the planned or potential future use for abandoned underground storage tank sites.
“The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is committed to using the Recovery Act funds to provide a positive economic impact,” explained Medley, “So, sites where there is potential for reuse and redevelopment, including the creation of jobs, will be given a higher priority than sites where there is not a redevelopment plan.”
Medley says work should begin in two to three months on already identified tanks. The Department says abandoned underground storage tanks pose environmental threats and economic development barriers for the redevelopment and reuse of properties. Because of real or perceived contamination at these sites, developers, banks and other lending institutions are hesitant or unwilling to invest in the property. Distribution of the Recovery Act funds by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Tanks section will help to remove those barriers at a number of potentially contaminated sites.
Assessment and cleanup will create jobs for consultants and subcontractors hired to carry out the work. It is further hoped that future redevelopment of the sites can spur the creation of jobs, expand existing businesses, create new businesses and clear the way for communities to redevelop and reuse these properties.
You can email the DNR at
tanks.stimulus@dnr.mo.gov , if you know of a potential cleanup site.
