Dam fined by EPA for hazardous waste violations

The Bureau of Reclamation was fined $115,500 by the Environmental Protection Agency for hazardous waste handling violations at the Grand Coulee Dam.

The EPA said in a press release Tuesday that the action was taken at the request of the state of Washington’s Department of Ecology.

“We conducted this inspection at the Dam at the Department of Ecology’s request and found some areas of non-compliance,” said Chris Hladick, EPA Regional Administrator in Seattle. “Proper handling and management of hazardous waste is a serious responsibility that protects both workers and the public. All types of facilities must comply with the rules to protect people’s health and our environment.”

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) violations discovered during EPA’s 2017 inspection included:

• Failure to conduct weekly inspections of hazardous waste accumulation areas;

• Improper container management and failure to follow waste labeling requirements;

• Improper hazardous waste storage (beyond 180 days) without a permit;

• Violations of used oil and universal waste management requirements;

• Failure to make a hazardous waste determination.

The waste in question included ignitable and corrosive compounds, used oil, mercury light ballasts and lithium batteries. As part of the Consent Agreement and Final Order with EPA, a $115,500 penalty was assessed. None of the violations occurred in publicly accessible areas, the EPA said.