EPA v. ATLAS ASBESTOS CO

Case summary

WHEELER PROPERTIES, D/B/A ATLAS ASBESTOS COMPANY, AND VINNELL CORPORATION OPERATED AN ASBESTOS MILL IN COALINGA, CALIFORNIA. THE MILL IS SUBJECT TO THE NATIONAL EMISSION STANDARD FOR ASBESTOS, 40 CFR 6170 ET SEQ. (NOW CODIFIED AS 61.140 ET. SEQ). DEFENDANTS CAUSED VISIBLE EMISSION FROM A BAGHOUSE AND ASBESTOS ORE DRYER. THEY ARE IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 61.21(A). THEY ARE ALSO IN VIOLATION FOR VISIBLE EMISSIONS FROM AN ASBESTOS TAILINGS PILE, A VIOLATION OF SECT.61.22(K). IN ADDITION, RUNOFF FROM THE TAILINGS PILE INTO WHITE CREEK VIOLATES THE CLEAN WATER ACT. THE PROPOSED ACTION SEEKS TO ENJOIN FURTHER AIR EMIS- SIONS FROM THE FACILITY AND FROM THE TAILINGS PILE, AS WELL AS FURTHER DEPOSITS OF RUNOFF INTO WHITE CREEK OR ANY OF ITS TRIBUTARIES. THE ACTION ALSO SEEKS PENALTIES UNDER BOTH THE CLEAN AIR ACT AND THE CLEAN WATER ACT.

Defendants (6)

• BERLUND, MELVIN
• CALIFORNIA MINERALS CORP
• MOORE, IRVING
• VINNELL CORPORATION
• VINNELL MINING & MINERALS CORP
• WHEELER PROPERTIES, INC.Named in complaint

Facilities (1)

• ATLAS ASBESTOS MINE

  LOS GATOS CREEK RD NW OF FRESNO, COALINGA, CA, 93210

  Registry ID: 110009333104

Statutes cited

• CAA 112 — Hazardous Air Pollutants

Timeline (7 milestones)

• 1980-04-22Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 1980-05-29Referred To Headquarters
• 1980-06-16Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1981-02-06Referred TO U.S. Attorney
• 1981-03-08Complaint Filed With Court
• 1985-03-07Enforcement Action Closed
• 1985-03-07Concluded