To which agency must you report a spill within 24 hours of discovery?

• A. DEQ
• B. EPA
• C. OSHA
• D. FMCSA

Answer: (A)

Prompt reporting to the right regulator matters because it triggers a timely environmental response, helping to contain the spill, protect people, and ensure proper cleanup and documentation. The state Department of Environmental Quality is the agency that typically oversees spills within the state, including oil or hazardous substance releases, and requires reporting within 24 hours of discovery so regulators can coordinate cleanup and mitigation quickly.

The other agencies have different primary roles: the federal EPA gets involved for large-scale or cross-border releases or specific facilities, OSHA handles workplace safety (not the environmental reporting itself), and FMCSA focuses on motor carrier safety. In some cases, very large spills may also require notification to the National Response Center, but for standard spills discovered on site, reporting to the DEQ within 24 hours is the correct standard practice.