EPA v. Commonwealth Port Authority Saipan Airport

Case summary

In March 2005, EPA inspectors found the facility had open containers of hazardous waste and stored its hazardous waste and used oil in severely corroded and leaking containers. The EPA found the facility’s treatment, handling, storage, and disposal of motor oil, used motor oil, used oil-based paint, solvents, and other unknown solid and hazardous waste was an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health and the environment. The facility treated, stored and disposed of hazardous waste without a permit and also failed to: • notify the EPA of its waste activity; • transfer waste into containers in good condition, keep containers closed, and conduct weekly inspections; • determine the type of and minimize releases of hazardous wastes; • store used oil in un-leaking containers and label containers; and • respond to releases of used oil, and comply with oil pollution control requirements Operations at the airport facility include equipment maintenance and waste treatment and disposal. The facility historically accepted and burned solid and hazardous waste from airlines, law enforcement agencies, local businesses, and military vessels.

Defendants (1)

• Commonwealth Ports AuthorityNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• COMMONWEALTH PORT AUTHORITY

  SAIPAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, SAIPAN, MP, 96950

  Registry ID: 110070105995

Statutes cited

• RCRA 3002 — Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Commonwealth Port Authority Saipan Airportentered 2008-08-18

  Primary law: RCRA

  Federal penalty: $32,500

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2008-08-18Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2008-08-18Final Order Issued
• 2008-08-18Enforcement Action Closed
• 2008-09-10Enforcement Action Data Entered