THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT IS BASED ON AN INSPECTION OF FOUR CITY FACILITIES: THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AT 530 MAINE AVENUE; THE MOTOR POOL AT 481 MAINE AVENUE; THE BANGOR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AT 287 GODFREY BOULEVARD; AND THE AVIATION FUEL FACILITY ON MAINE AVENUE. THE EPA INSPECTORS FOUND THAT THE CITY WAS NOT COMPLYING WITH MOST HAZARDOUS WASTE LAWS AT THESE FACILITIES. THE COMPLAINT ALLEGES THIRTY-SEVEN VIOLATIONS OF HAZARDOUS WASTE STANDARDS AT THE FOUR FACILITIES.
IN 2000, EPA NEW ENGLAND SENT LETTERS TO TOWN MANAGERS WARNING THEM THAT PUBLIC AGENCIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLYING WITH THE SAME ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AS COMPANIES AND OFFERING ASSISTANCE IN COMPLYING WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS. DURING THE INSPECTION IN BANGOR, EPA FOUND THE CITY GENERATES HAZARDOUS WASTES; INCLUDING AEROSOLE WASTES, SOLVENT AND HEAVY-METAL BASED WASTE PAINTS, WASTE THINNERS, WASTE FUELS AND FUEL FILTERS, LEAD AND SILVER SOLDERS, ELECTRONIC WASTES, WASTE SOLVENTS, WASTE OILS, IGNITABLE RAGS, WASTE ANTIFREEZE, AND WASTE SANDBLAST GRIT.
SPECIFICALLY, EPA ALLEGES THAT AMONG OTHER VIOLATIONS, BANGOR:
- TREATED HAZARDOUS WASTE WITHOUT A LICENSE AND IMPROPERLY TREATED THE WASTE BY EVAPORATION.
- FAILED TO NOTIFY AND OBTAIN HAZARDOUS WASTE IDENTIFICATION #S FOR THE DPW AND THE AIRPORT.
- FAILED TO CONDUCT HAZARDOUS WASTE TRAINING OF EMPLOYEES WITH HAZARDOUS WASTE RESPONSIBILITIES BETWEEN 1999 AND 2001.
- FAILED TO MAINTAIN EMPLOYEE TRAINING PROGRAMS.
- FAILE