Fort Wainwright pays $233,000 penalty for hazardous waste violations
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that U.S. Army Garrison Fort Wainwright will pay $233,300 for violating federal hazardous waste management requirements.
During a routine inspection of the garrison in August 2021 EPA inspectors found several violations of the Resources Conservation and Recovery Act including failure to make a hazardous waste determination, storage of hazardous waste without a permit, failure to properly manage pharmaceutical waste, failure to properly manage used oil, and failure to properly manage universal waste such as aerosol cans and lamps.
At the time of the inspection, EPA determined the facility was operating as an unpermitted hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facility. Several hazardous wastes were stored improperly and containers were left open or were stored on-site longer than allowed.
In response to the inspection findings, USAG Fort Wainwright agreed to pay the monetary penalty in addition to taking the necessary steps to come into compliance and resolve the violations.
“These regulations are in place to protect people and our environment,” said Ed Kowalski, director of EPA Region 10’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “It’s vital that facilities handling hazardous waste comply or they put the health of the entire community at risk.”
Additional details of the settlement can be found in the compliance agreement and final order.
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Contact: R10 Public Affairs Office, R10_Press_Team@epa.gov