The original SPCC Rule was published in December, 1973. It remained unchanged for almost 30 years, until EPA published amendments on July 17, 2002. This set in motion a flurry of rulemakings, and created considerable confusion within the regulated community. The compliance dates were extended for the first time on January 9, 2003. Compliance deadlines were extended for the second time on April 17, 2003. Clarifications were published on July 17, 2003. Compliance deadlines were extended for the third time on August 11, 2004. Additional amendments were proposed on December 12, 2005. Additional amendments were promulgated on December 26, 2006. The effective date was changed on May 16, 2007, and again on April 1, 2009. Effective dates to comply with a revised definition of “navigable waters” were promulgated on November 26, 2008. Other compliance dates were modified on December 5, 2008. Compliance dates were amended again on February 3, 2009. Finally, the latest amendments to the Rule and the compliance dates were issued on November 13, 2009, which reversed some of the amendments made in December, 2008.

These amendments have affected all aspects of the original SPCC regulation, including what types of facilities are required to have plans, the plan contents, and the compliance requirements. Some of the changes are minor; others are major. Any plan prepared before November 13, 2009, should be evaluated in its entirety to ensure that it complies with the current requirements.

For a visual timeline of SPCC events, click here.