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EPA CITES NEVADA AND ARIZONA FACILITIES FOR REPORTING VIOLATIONS

Release Date: 3/3/1999
Contact Information: Lois Grunwald, U.S. EPA, (415) 744-1588

Military Sites Violated Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Law

     (San Francisco)--The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced it has issued notices of violation (NOVs) to military facilities in Nevada and Arizona for violations of  the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA) and a presidential executive order.

     "People have a right to know about hazardous substances in their communities, said Michael Feeley, deputy director of EPA's Superfund Division. "Fire departments and other local agencies need all the information required by EPCRA so they can be prepared to respond to emergencies. If these bases have a hazardous spill or air release, we want to be sure that their commanders, the public, and local agencies are fully informed and ready to respond."

     After EPA inspections in late 1997, Luke Air Force Base in Arizona and Fallon Naval Air Station in Nevada were found to be in violation of EPCRA's chemical inventory reporting requirements and failed to conduct adequate internal reviews and audits as required by a presidential executive order. The facilities have 30 days to comply. EPA has provided the bases' environmental staffs with compliance assistance to help resolve their deficiencies and avoid receiving the NOVs. Despite the assistance, the facilities failed to come into compliance.

     "We would like to see our federal agencies serve as environmental role models to our business community," said Feeley.

     For additional information on the EPCRA, contact the EPA EPCRA Hotline at 1-800-535-0202.