FIRST FUND Implemented by State of Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control UST Branch Fund for the Inability to Rehabilitate Storage Tanks   What is FIRST Fund? Who is eligible? How does it work? What is not eligible for FIRST FUND? How is the money dispersed? What are the remediation goals? What should I do next if I know of an possible FIRST FUND site? What is FIRST FUND? Every year the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s (DNREC) UST Branch identifies "orphaned" UST sites that require some sort of environmental rehabilitation, but there is either no "owner" available or the owner does not have the financial resources to complete the rehabilitation. The DNREC along with the LUST Committee developed this statewide initiative to address abandoned or underutilized UST sites in both urban and rural settings. Named FIRST Fund, the program is funded by the Budget Bill approved in June of 1999. The policy was adopted in March 2000 to address "orphaned" UST sites in Delaware. FIRST Fund provides a mechanism to investigate and remediate UST sites where there is no known owner or the current owner is unable to pay for UST work. Commercial or industrial properties with "orphan" USTs represent the largest source of potential FIRST Fund sites. In addition, residential sites can be selected for this program. Who is eligible? To qualify for FIRST Fund, an UST site must meet one of the following criteria: · UST owner, which is the last person to use the UST, is unknown or cannot be located despite reasonable efforts to identify the owner, as determined by the UST Branch, or · UST owner is known but financially unable to pay as determined by the results of a financial analysis. The DNREC’s UST Branch may use FIRST Funds for the following activities: · Remove or abandon USTs containing products regulated under 7 Del. C., Chapter 74 (petroleum or hazardous substances); · Investigate or assess contaminated UST sites; · Remediate soil and/or water contamination resulting from a release from an UST system; · Restore or replace potable water supplies; · Respond to emergencies and mitigate initial site hazards at UST sites.   How does it work? Both commercial and residential sites may be eligible for this program. Once a site is determined to be eligible for FIRST Fund monies, the UST Branch hires a contractor to perform necessary site specific work and pays the contractor directly. The end result of this program will be to return underutilized UST sites to productive use. For information regarding the FIRST Fund or to determine if a site is eligible for the program contact the UST Branch at (302) 395-2500.   What type of work is not eligible for FIRST Funds? · New tank installations or upgrades to existing systems. · Vapor Recovery equipment. · Aboveground Storage Tanks. · Reimbursement for work already completed.   How is the FIRST FUND money disbursed? The UST Branch contracts directly to complete the work needed to remediate the site. What are the remediation goals for FIRST FUND sites? The UST Branch will follow established procedures to remove the UST. Clean up goals will follow the established Delaware Risk Based Corrective Action Program (DERBCAP) guidelines What should I do next if I know of an orphaned or abandoned UST site? Contact the UST Branch at (302) 395-2500.     Division Overview and Contacts | DNREC Online Home | Air Quality Management | Director's Office | Enforcement Section | | Environmental Response Branch | Site Investigation & Restoration Branch | | Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Branch | | Tank Management Branch | Text Only | Disclaimer | | Delaware's Home Page | Privacy | Translate | Contact the TMB at  DNREC_AWM_Tanks@state.de.us © 2000 Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control 89 Kings Hwy Dover, DE 19901 (302) 739-9400 Comments? E-mail the Webmaster Last Update: 9/6/01 2:36 PM