Spill Reporting Matrix

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established federal requirements for reporting the release of oil and hazardous substances. States usually follow the federal minimum standards, but many have stricter requirements.

Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the EPA established a designated list of reportable quantities for approximately 800 hazardous substances which can be found at 40 CFR 302.4. EPA also maintains a "list of lists" which is a consolidated list of chemicals subject to reporting under EPCRA, CERCLA and the CWA. States typically follow this list, however, some have their own lists or include additional hazardous substances. The footnotes below provide information on how specific states designate hazardous substances.

If a hazardous substance is released to the environment in an amount that equals or exceeds its reportable quantities, it must be reported immediately to the National Response Center 24-hour hotline at (800) 424-8802. State reporting requirements must also be followed.

The overview provided in this table is for informational purposes only. Because of the summary nature of the table, it cannot capture all the nuances of the relevant regulations. It may therefore be important to consult the regulations directly and/or to seek legal advice on particular issues as they may arise.