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Department of Ecology News Release - July 1, 2008
08-181
YAKIMA – A Richland automotive repair shop has been fined $10,000 for violating state dangerous waste regulations and has been ordered to properly manage used oil and other automotive related wastes.
Dean’s Automotive Repair at 2676 Van Giesen Road has been cited by the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) for leaking drums, open containers, spilling oil to the ground, and improperly storing and labeling oil and other dangerous wastes.
The auto repair shop also failed to follow rules for managing dangerous waste, including conducting routine inspections and keeping proper inventory records on waste stored at the site.
Automotive repair services are required to meet certain requirements for managing waste oils and other dangerous products according to the size of its operation. Dean’s Automotive Repair has received numerous inspections and technical assistance visits since the early 1990s, during which a number of continuing violations were observed.
“This repair shop has had a spotty record for complying with the state’s dangerous waste laws,” explained Brian Dick, a regional manager with Ecology’s Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction program. “Over the years we have provided many opportunities for the business to comply with the requirements to safely store, dispose of, and manage the waste they come in contact with everyday. Most repair shops take the time to manage their wastes properly. It’s unfortunate that Dean’s has chosen not to.”
In addition to the penalty, the business has been issued a detailed order that outlines required actions to comply with state dangerous waste laws.
“When hazardous waste is mismanaged, it lets toxic chemicals into our water, soil and air, where they damage the environment and are very expensive to clean up,” said Darin Rice, who manages the Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction program.
Dean’s Automotive Repair has 30 days to pay the penalty or file an appeal of the penalty and order to the Pollution Control Hearings Board or to Ecology.
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Media Contacts:
Kathy Davis, media relations, 360-407-6149,
kada461@ecy.wa.gov
Brian Dick, Hazardous Waste Toxics Reduction Program, 509-454-7659,
bdic461@ecy.wa.gov
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
