IN DECEMBER, 1985, KENNECOTT DONATED TO THE COUNTY A BUILDING IN RUTH, NEVADA KNOWN AS THE KENNECOTT HEATING PLANT BUILDING WITH LARGE ASBESTOS-COVERED BOILERS, AS WELL AS ASSOCIATED PIPES AND DUCTS. AS AN EXPRESS CONDI- TION OF THE DONATION, THE COUNTY WAS TO REMOVE THE BUILDING AND THE BOILERS FROM THE LAND WHICH REMAINED UNDER KENNECOTT OWNERSHIP. THE COUNTY AUTHORIZED THE DEMOLITION OF THE BUILDING AND REMOVAL OF THE BOILERS, THE DEMOLITION, IN LATE JANUARY, 1987, WAS UNDERTAKEN WITHOUT NOTICE TO EPA OR THE LOCAL DELEGATED AGENCY; WITHOUT PRIOR REMOVAL OF THE ASBESTOS MATERIALS; AND WITHOUT PROPER WASTE DISPOSAL OF THE ASBESTOS MATERIALS. AS A RESULT, THE ASBESTOS MATERIALS WERE BROKEN UP AND CRUSHED, CAUSING A WIDESPREAD CONTAMINATION OF THE AREA. ON FEBRUARY 19, 1987, MR. SCHISLER, A CITIZEN, CONTACTED EPA REGION IX ABOUT ASBESTOS DEBRIS AT THE SITE. ON EPA INSPECTION ON MARCH 21, 1987 VERIFIED THE PRESENCE OF ASBESTOS MATERIAL IN THE DEMOLITION DEBRIS. ONCE NOTIFIED BY EPA, THE COUNTY HAD THE SITE PROPERLY CLEANED UP IN MID-APRIL BY A QUALIFIED ASBESTOS CONTRACTOR.