news release

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson settles with EPA for hazardous waste law violations

09/18/2013

(Seattle—Sept 18, 2013) Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage failed to comply with federal hazardous waste management laws and has agreed to pay a fine to resolve the violations, according to a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The base has taken action to correct the violations and will pay a fine of over $21,000.

“Careful hazardous waste management protects human lives and the environment, and it also prevents the public from having to fund costly cleanup operations,” said Scott Downey, Manager of the Hazardous Waste Compliance Unit at the EPA Seattle office. “Facilities have to inspect hazardous waste storage and keep staff up to date on training to prevent incidents.”

The facility generates and stores hazardous waste from vehicles, aircraft and other facility maintenance. This includes acids, contaminated soils, batteries, PCB wastes, solvents, used oil and pesticides.

EPA inspections found a series of violations from 2010-2011, including

  1. Failure to conduct weekly inspections of hazardous waste facilities and containers for leakage or deterioration;
  2. Failure to ensure staff participated in annual hazardous waste management training; and
  3. Failure to submit hazardous waste tracking reports.

The violations occurred under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

Hazardous waste personnel training required for large quantity generators of hazardous waste at 40 CFR 262.34(a)(4) and explained in 40
CFR 265.16 would have prevented these violations from happening.

Contact me to provide you with high-quality hazardous waste personnel training (aka: RCRA Training) before you become the subject of a news release like this one.

 

EPA Proposes Remedy at World Resources Company, Pottsville, Norwegian Township, PA

News Release: Public Information and Availability Session
08/06/2013

 

What:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will present information and take questions from the community on the proposed remedy for the World Resources Company (WRC) facility, located at 170 Walnut Lane, Pottsville, Pa. 17901. The facility has conducted an investigation and sampling at the site in accordance with the requirements of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action Program. Corrective Action is an EPA program designed to guide the investigation, and any cleanup of contaminated hazardous waste.

When:

August 12, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.

Where:

Norwegian Township Building, 506 Maple Avenue, Mar Lin, Pa. 17951-0251

Background:

WRC recycles metal bearing sludges that are generated primarily by metal finishing and electroplating industries. Some of these sludges are considered hazardous waste under EPA and Pennsylvania Law. Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments were conducted at the facility. Five monitoring wells were installed for soil and groundwater. Soil samples were collected. Environmental sampling showed no contaminants above either EPA or PADEP residential standards. WRC continues to do groundwater and soil monitoring approximately twice a year, and has since 1990. No known releases have occurred at the facility resulting in investigation or remedial actions.

Proposed Remedy:

EPA will propose this week that there are no known environmental issues at the property that have not been addressed. EPA’s investigation has found that there is no contamination at the site. The proposed Final Decision is for “no further action” and will be documented in a Statement of Basis and subject to public review and comment.

Public Comment:

Persons wishing to comment on the proposed remedy may do so by submitting their comments to EPA betweenAugust 14 and September 27, 2013. All comments must be submitted in writing via mail, fax, or email to EPA Project Manager Catheryn Blankenbiller, at U.S. EPA Region 3, 1650 Arch Street, Mailcode 3LC30, Philadelphia, Pa. 19103 (Email: blankenbiller.catheryn@epa.gov; Fax: 215-814-3113.  All comments will be considered in making a final decision.

Contact: Donna Heron at 215-814-2665 / heron.donna@epa.gov

It is interesting to note that this situation is being handled by both the State of Pennsylvania DEP and the USEPA under the authority of the Corrective Action program of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and not Superfund.  This is because the site is still active.  If it were an abandoned site or one where ownership could not be determined, then the determination of contamination and potential clean-up would be undertaken with the authority of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA, aka:  Superfund) and not RCRA.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions about the regulations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) for the USEPA or your State.