EPA reaches settlement with Alaska quarry operator for Clean Water Act violations
Agreement with Northern Alaska Contractors resolves violations of Alaska’s Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Multi-Sector General Permit
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reached a settlement with Northern Alaska Contractors, LLC (NAC), for violations of Alaska’s Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Multi-Sector General Permit requirements that protect against pollution caused by stormwater runoff at the Ugadaga Quarry in Unalaska, Alaska.
By signing the Consent Agreement and Final Order, NAC agreed to pay a penalty of $62,500. NAC also entered an Administrative Order on Consent to ensure that NAC’s quarry operations come into compliance with the Clean Water Act, EPA regulations, and Alaska’s Multi-Sector General Permit. The Administrative Order on Consent requires NAC to update the Ugadaga Quarry Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan and site map; conduct required monitoring, sampling and reporting; conduct required inspections; and conduct required annual training.
Alaska’s Multi-Sector General Permit requires industrial facilities to take steps to minimize discharges of pollutants and sediment from stormwater. Stormwater discharges are generated by runoff from land and impervious areas during rainfall and snowmelt events and often contain pollutants that adversely affect water quality and damage aquatic habitat.
The settlement resolves alleged violations that were documented during an inspection at the Ugadaga Quarry in 2018, including:
- Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan and site map deficiencies.
- Failure to conduct required monitoring, sampling and reporting.
- Failure to conduct all required inspections and to conduct annual training.
- Failure to properly store, handle and dispose of construction waste.
Learn more about Alaska’s stormwater program at: https://dec.alaska.gov/water/wastewater/stormwater/
Learn about EPA’s national stormwater program at: https://www.epa.gov/npdes/npdes-stormwater-program