40 CFR § 280.61 - Initial response.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t40/s280.61"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "40 CFR § 280.61 - Initial response."
title_number: 40
title_name: "Protection of Environment"
section_number: "280.61"
section_name: "Initial response."
chapter_name: "ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY"
subchapter_number: "I"
subchapter_name: "SOLID WASTES"
part_number: "280"
part_name: "TECHNICAL STANDARDS AND CORRECTIVE ACTION REQUIREMENTS FOR OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS (UST)"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "42 U.S.C. 6912, 6991, 6991(a), 6991(b), 6991(c), 6991(d), 6991(e), 6991(f), 6991(g), 6991(h), 6991(i)."
regulatory_source: "80 FR 41623, July 15, 2015, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "280"
---


# 280.61 Initial response.

Upon confirmation of a release in accordance with § 280.52 or after a release from the UST system is identified in any other manner, owners and operators must perform the following initial response actions within 24 hours of a release or within another reasonable period of time determined by the implementing agency:

(a) Report the release to the implementing agency (e.g., by telephone or electronic mail);

(b) Take immediate action to prevent any further release of the regulated substance into the environment; and

(c) Identify and mitigate fire, explosion, and vapor hazards.