Release Reporting

Purpose
Businesses that handle hazardous materials are required by law to provide an immediate verbal report of any release or threatened release of hazardous materials, if there is a reasonable belief that the release or threatened release poses a significant present or potential hazard to human health and safety, property, or the environment. Agency reporting numbers are located on Page 1 of your Emergency Response Plan. Fines of up to $25,000 per day and 1 year in prison may result for failure to report a release or a threatened release.

Submitting Reports
Any releases or threatened releases of hazardous materials must be reported to both:
  • Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) at 707-445-6215, or after hours through Sheriff’s dispatch at 707-445-7251
  • State Office of Emergency Services (OES) Warning Center at 800-852-7550 or 916-845-8911

If a release involves a hazardous substance listed in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, and the release equals or exceeds the reportable quantity, an additional immediate verbal report must be made to the National Response Center and a follow-up notice must be filed within 15 days of the incident.

Reporting forms may be obtained from this Department or from the California Code of Regulations, Title 19.