Region 9: Compliance and Enforcement

Newmark Superfund Site cleanup settlement for San Bernardino water supply

Last year, EPA, the city of San Bernardino, Calif., and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control reached a settlement with the U.S. Army for the Superfund cleanup of the city’s water supply. More than 25 percent of the water supply for San Bernardino has been contaminated by volatile organic compounds such as solvents. The settlement resolves claims against the Army for alleged groundwater contamination from Army operations in the area during World War II. This cleanup accounts for over 90 percent of the volume of the site’s contaminated groundwater. In March, 2005, the city and EPA announced the completion of a $28 million treatment system that will annually treat 4.75 billion gallons per year of contaminated water that can be used as drinking water by the 185,000 residents living in the area.

San Gabriel Valley Superfund site settlements provide for over $26 million of work and reimbursement of over $9 million in response costs

One settlement requires two companies to spend over $26 million to build a cleanup system to remove the contaminants from the groundwater. This settlement also requires these companies to spend $468,750 on an environmental project at a former duck farm, pay a $125,000 penalty and pay $800,000 in EPA’s past costs. A separate settlement requires 11 potentially responsible parties to pay over $14.3 million to reimburse EPA’s response costs at the site. Over one million water customers are affected in the San Gabriel Valley.

Del monte agrees to EPA's $13 million plan for Superfund cleanup in Hawaii

Del Monte Fresh Produce reached an agreement with EPA that requires the company to clean up soil and groundwater contamination at the Del Monte Superfund site in Central Oahu. The cleanup plan is estimated to cost approximately $13 million and the company has also agreed to pay EPA's past and future oversight costs at the site.

EPA puts regulated community on notice–enforces requirements to ensure safe handling of hazardous waste

Valero Refinery agrees to pay U.S. EPA $97,940 to settle environmental violations

The Valero Refinery in Benicia, Calif., agreed to pay the EPA a $97,940 penalty for state and federal hazardous waste violations. The petroleum refinery processes approximately 180,000 barrels of crude oil each day and failure to properly handle hazardous waste could put the surrounding community at risk. The hazardous waste handled at the facility contain benzene, benzo(a)pyrene, chrysene, lead, chromium, and sulfuric acid.

Saipan rock quarry ordered to clean up used oil and improve oil management

EPA ordered JG Sablan Rock quarry Inc. to clean up and correct the way the company manages used oil at its facility in Saipan. EPA is requiring the company to provide a work plan to investigate and remediate past spills of used oil and hazardous waste. The company was ordered to remove 2,000 gallons of used oil stored or disposed of onsite, and ensure proper on-site management and off-site disposal of used oil and hazardous waste.

Saipan Commonwealth Port Authority ordered to clean up and improve hazardous waste management

EPA ordered the Commonwealth Port Authority to clean up and improve its treatment handling, storage and disposal of used oil and hazardous waste at its Saipan International Airport. The Authority must meet regulatory requirements and safely dispose of its waste. The facility historically accepted and burned soil and hazardous waste from airlines, law enforcement agencies, local businesses, and military vessels.

Effort continues to ensure companies file hazardous waste reports

In an effort to increase compliance with federal hazardous waste reporting requirements, EPA’s Pacific Southwest Regional Office has completed two years of expedited settlements. The federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) requires large quantity hazardous waste generators to file a report with the EPA every other year. In 2004, after discovering that numerous facilities had failed to file their biennial report, the regional office streamlined the settlement process in order to increase compliance. EPA initiated an enforcement initiative which targeted facilities that failed to submit required biennial reporting information. This effort resulted in 31 expedited settlements in California in 2004 and seven in 2005.

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