EPA News Release (Region 3): U.S. Navy Settles Hazardous Waste Violations at its Patuxent River Naval Air Station

Contact: Donna Heron 215-814-5113 / heron.donna@epa.gov   U.S. Navy Settles Hazardous Waste Violations at its Patuxent River Naval Air Station               PHILADELPHIA (Oct. 23, 2012) -- The U.S. Navy has agreed to pay a $38,500 penalty to settle alleged hazardous waste violations at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, located at 22268 Cedar Point Road in Patuxent River, Md.   This settlement resolves alleged violations alleged by EPA of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the federal law governing the treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste. RCRA is designed to protect public health and the environment, and avoid costly cleanups, by requiring the safe, environmentally sound storage and disposal of hazardous waste.   Following an EPA inspection, the U.S. Navy was cited for allegedly failing to determine whether waste was hazardous, failing to maintain aisle space to allow for the movement of personnel and fire protection equipment, failing to conduct weekly inspections of waste containers for leaks and deterioration, failing to mark each container with a date and whether it contained hazardous waste, failing to keep hazardous waste containers closed during storage, and failing to properly maintain leak detection and spill prevention equipment on underground storage tanks.   The violations were found in 11 buildings including: the public works transportation, the hazmat warehouse, the Webster field annex, hangar, fleet readiness center, and the materials lab.   The $38,500 settlement penalty reflects the Navy's cooperation in resolving this matter. The Navy has certified its compliance with applicable hazardous waste requirements.               For more information about hazardous waste and RCRA, visit http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/index.htm.    Note: If a link above doesn't work, please copy and paste the URL into a browser.     View all Region 3 News Releases     You can view or update your subscriptions or e-mail address at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. All you will need is your e-mail address. If you have any questions or problems e-mail support@govdelivery.com for assistance.  This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.    This email was sent to elmasry.webmaster@gmail.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW · Washington DC 20460 · 202-564-4355