RECEIVEDCLERK’S OFFICE

RECEIVED

CLERK’S OFFICE

NOKOMIS TIRE &

AUTO 

REPAIR

JUN 162005

(FORMERLY

NOKOMIS

OIL

CO.)

STATE OF ILLINOIS

100 S. HICKORY ST.

Pollution Control Board

NOKOMIS, IL 62075

(217)

563-2614

June 13,2005

~7Ct~

Marie B. Tipsord

Hearing Officer

Illinois Pollution Control Board

100 West Randolph, Suite 11-500

Chicago, IL 60601

RE: Proposed Revisions to Leaking Underground Storage Tank Regulations R04-22 and

R04-23

Dear Ms. Tipsord:

I atn writing to express my concerns in regard to revisions proposed by the illinois

Environmental protection Agency (IEPA) to regulations governing leaking underground

storage tanks (USTs).

As an owner of a small business that is in the process of cleaning a leaking underground

storage site (LUST), I am well aware ofthe cost associated with trying to comply with the

IEPA regulations required to clean up a LUST site. The Lust Fund is a very important

part ofbeing able to meet the financial requirements it takes to clean a LUST site to meet

the cleanup objectives. Without the Lust fund, that I have paid into, the cost that exceeded

the deductible would bankrupt me and most businesses that are in the same situation. I

also believe that any revisions the IEPA m*es that would increase the amount ofnon-

recoverable costs from the LUST Fund could severely affect me and other small

businesses that are trying to comply with the JEPA and cleaning up their properties.

I must rely on environmental professionals to assist me in my efforts to comply with

LUST regulations. Imust also rely on the Illinois LUST Fund to ensure the cost of

professional assistance is recovered in full. Being able to do so is critical to my financial

stability. I will not support proposedrevisions that could potentially result in my ability to

recover only a portion ofthe costs I incur as a result of seeking professional assistance to

comply with LUST regulations. This is not a fmancial risk I am willing to take. I

recognize the need for cost containment. However, this is an extremely important issue

that must be evaluated thoroughly and addresses responsibly. I feel it is the Illinois

Pollution Control Boards responsibility to make sure the proposed revisions are backed

up by sound statistical or scientific data. I urge you to consider the negative impact these

proposed revisions could have on me and other Illinois UST Owners and Operators. In

addition, this information must be fully disclosed and available to the public.

Thank you foryour consideration.

Michael R. Oltmann

Nokomis Tire & Auto Repair

Sincerely,