«Name» -2-

California Environmental Protection Agency

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Mr. Charles Miller

No# 14329 - 2 -

November 3, 2003

To: Underground Storage Tank (UST) Cleanup Fund Claimants:

NOTICE OF EXTENDED CLAIMS AND REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST PROCESSING TIMES AND SUSPENSION OF COST PRE-APPROVALS

Due to the State’s current fiscal problems, the UST Cleanup Fund program has experienced a significant reduction in staffing, and will not be able to process claims and reimbursement requests within the same timeframes as in the past. Over the past two years, UST Cleanup Fund staffing has been reduced by 22 percent. This staffing reduction means that there are fewer staff to review and process claims and reimbursement requests. While we are working to find ways to improve our claim review efficiency, it will now take longer to process your claim(s).

It is also necessary to continue our suspension of the processing of cost pre-approvals. This suspension of pre-approvals will enable available staff to focus on the review of reimbursement requests.

Despite these UST Cleanup Fund cost saving measures, it is important to note that the obligations of the UST responsible party have not changed. You must:

1. Complete required corrective action work within the timeframe specified by the regulatory agency.

2. Regulatory approval must be obtained prior to implementing corrective action work.

3. Corrective action costs must be necessary and reasonable. We recommend that you use the Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund Cost Guidelines to evaluate the reasonableness of costs for specific corrective actions. A copy of the Cost Guidelines may be downloaded from our website at:

http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/cwphome/ustcf/technicalformsinfo.htm

If you have additional questions about your claim, please contact your claims, payments or technical reviewer. We apologize for the processing delay and will make every effort to approve reimbursements as quickly as possible.

Sincerely,

Allan V. Patton, Manager

UST Cleanup Fund

cc: Regulatory Agencies

UST Cleanup Fund Interested Parties

California Environmental Protection Agency

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