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Company Cited For Hazardous Waste Storage Violations at Former Wood Treatment Plant in Keyser, W. Va.

Release Date: 10/03/2006
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith, 215-814-5543

PHILADELPHIA -The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has cited Kessel Lumber Supply, Inc. for violating hazardous waste regulations at a former wood treatment facility in Keyser, Mineral County, W.Va. The facility, which ceased operations in December 2003, manufactured pressure treated fence posts and mine lumber.

EPA’s administrative complaint cited Kessel Lumber for violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the principal federal law on the handling, storage and disposal of hazardous waste. The law is designed to protect public health and the environment, and avoid costly cleanups, by requiring the safe, environmentally sound disposal of hazardous waste. The violations were documented in inspections by EPA and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) in September 2004 and February 2005, and follow-up EPA information requests.

According to EPA’s complaint, after the facility ceased operations, the company left behind approximately 8,350 gallons of a hazardous waste, chromated copper arsenate, stored in two steel tanks and a collection system tank. An undetermined quantity of this hazardous waste was also found on a drip pad at the facility.

EPA cited the company for 13 RCRA violations, including unpermitted storage of hazardous waste, failing to have required closure and contingency plans, and failing to provide site security or adequate financial assurances for a hazardous waste storage facility. EPA will propose a penalty for these violations after giving the company an opportunity to respond to the complaint and present information on the alleged violations.

The company has the right to request a hearing to contest the alleged violations and the proposed penalty. For more information about regulation of hazardous waste, visit https://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/hazwaste.htm