Umatilla depot cited for problem wastes

This story was published Tue, Aug 8, 2000

By The Associated Press

HERMISTON - State environmental inspectors have cited the Umatilla Chemical Depot for improper storage of old gasoline engines and other waste and a construction crew's sloppy handling of used oil.

During an inspection conducted May 23-24, the state Department of Environmental Quality found nine violations of hazardous waste storage rules, Wayne C. Thomas, chemical demilitarization program administrator for DEQ, said Monday.

Thomas described the violations as significant, but not serious, and said they could involve civil penalties. DEQ is concerned the Army exercised proper oversight and training of subcontractors working at the depot.

The Army was committed to seeing all hazardous waste was handled properly and had instituted weekly inspections of the subcontractor to be sure no more violations occur, said Army spokeswoman Mary Binder.

The depot stores chemical weapons left from the Cold War awaiting destruction in an incinerator now under construction. None of the violations involved the incinerator or the high-security K-Block area where the old chemical weapons are stored.

Six violations involved Apollo Construction's handling of liquid wastes around the company's office trailer. Three violations involved storage of waste by the Army. Inspectors found a wooden box with the lid off. Inside were old gasoline engines that once powered air filters on K-Block "igloos."

Inspectors also cited the Army for having boxes containing mercury from a broken thermometer.

 

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