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EPA Seeks Over $70,000 For Hazardous Waste Violations at Kodiak Coast Guard Station

Release Date: 3/24/1999
Contact Information: Kim Ogle
ogle.kimberly@epamail.epa.gov
(206) 553-0955

99-15 - - - - - - - - - - March 24, 1999



The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today issued a complaint and penalty against the U.S. Coast Guard Integrated Support Command located on Kodiak Island, Alaska. The Complaint -- seeking $74,250 -- reflects alleged federal hazardous waste violations observed by EPA inspectors at the Coast Guard's Kodiak facility in August 1998, and violations which were self-disclosed by the Coast Guard in a letter sent later.

As outlined in the Complaint, the Coast Guard failed to adequately track and manage containers that held hazardous waste. In a separate, self-reported incident, the Coast Guard also illegally treated hazardous wastes by detonating excess ordnance in a remote bunker.

According to Chuck Clarke, EPA regional administrator in Seattle, federal facilities should manage and track hazardous waste properly to protect human health and the environment.

"This complaint should serve notice that EPA is committed to firm but fair enforcement at federal facilities," Clarke said. "Managing hazardous waste responsibly, including careful tracking and monitoring, should be a high priority at every base, airfield, depot, facility and range."

Hazardous waste generated, treated, stored or disposed of in the United States is governed by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). RCRA ensures that hazardous waste is handled in a manner that protects human health and the environment. Failing to properly label and track wastes goes against the law’s very intent of "cradle to grave" management.

Since the Coast Guard self-reported the illegal disposal of several drums of emergency flares and small arms ammunition in a remote bunker at the facility, they qualified for penalty relief under an EPA policy that rewards facilities for disclosing illegal activity in the absence of official inspection or observation. By discovering, disclosing and correcting violations in accordance with the self-reporting policy, the Coast Guard avoided additional penalties of $74,250.