Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson settles with E.P.A. for hazardous waste law violations

(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 E.P.A.. 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 E.P.A. 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.

E.P.A. inspections found a series of violations from 2010-2011, including failure to conduct weekly inspections of hazardous waste facilities and containers for leakage or deterioration; failure to ensure staff participated in yearly hazardous waste management training; and failure to submit hazardous waste tracking reports.

The violations occurred under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

For more information on RCRA, visit: http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/inforesources/online/index.htm

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